TEDx event announced for Cedar Rapids

CEDAR RAPIDS - TEDx, the idea-sharing program through the not-for-profit TED, is coming to Cedar Rapids this spring.

TEDx Cedar Rapids, which was announced via Facebook Monday afternoon, will be held at the Cedar Rapids Public Library from 1-5 p.m., May 12, said Breanna Oxley, event organizer.

'Through keynote addresses, interactive breakout sessions and existing TED videos, we will explore themes that make our community a significant contributor of change-inspiring ideas,” said the Facebook post announcing the event Monday.

TED, which stands for technology, entertainment and design, is not-for-profit founded in 1984 with the goal of spreading ideas on a variety of topics, from science to art to current events. The organization is popularly known for its TED Talks.

In recent years, the not-for-profit created the TEDx program as a way for independent organizers to share ideas in their communities through locally hosted TED Talks, according to the organization's website.

Oxley said tickets will go on sale in March. It's open to the public, but only 100 spots will be available.

The event will be centered on the theme 'through the course of time,” Oxley said.

'We really wanted to look at community and the last year of being in America, being in Iowa, being in this area,” she said.

TEDx Cedar Rapids will feature several speakers, videos of TED Talks and breakout sessions, which will each last between 15 to 18 minutes.

So far, four speakers have been confirmed for the event. These will include area leaders or individuals 'with big ideas” impacting Eastern Iowa, Oxley said.

The full schedule will be announced sometime in March before tickets go on sale.

A TEDx event was held in Iowa City in 2011.

'We're hoping it will be successful and people will have an interest to bring this about again,” Oxley said.

For more information on TEDx Cedar Rapids, visit the organization's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/TEDxCedarRapids.

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