There just isn't enough time to meet all the other participants during TEDFest and other TED events! A lot of the time is taken up with the great talks, and organised activities - and the big networking parties are both intense and noisy. We aim to offer more social time in a relaxed environment.

In November 2017 we approached TED about the idea of organising a pre-event in New York before TEDFest, and TED agreed. This project was originally set up by Richard Lucas of TEDxKazimierz (Poland) and Aaron Sylvan of TEDxFultonStreet (NYC). If you want to help with the event, please sign up here.

The goal of this event is to build more community among participants, and when you are from out of town -its always great to have a place where you can hang out before things get under way.

A venue has been donated to us, for use all day Monday April 9th (09h00-18h00), and half of Tuesday April 10th (09h00-14h00) in a midtown Manhattan co-working community just south of Central Park.

This is not a an "organiser workshop" in the sense that we require and expect participants to share knowledge and know how in a structured enviroment. Rather, we plan to use parts of the Open Space Technology un-conference format - so you can choose what you do in the space. Each TEDx organiser attending will get her/his table where people can find them. There will be area where presentations can be made, and TED and TEDx talks be shown. If someone is thinking - "they ought to do X" - please come along and organise "X" within the framework of the Pre-Event.

This event will be low budget and high value - with food/drink at cost. The money we charge will pay for chair rental, food and drink and we expect it will be cheaper to eat with us in the space than eat out in New York.

The ticket price does not cover the cost of Monday evening, which will be in a venue called Characters (243 West 54th St., New York, NY — on 54th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue). There is a $30 min on credit cards, so bringing some cash is advisable. (Beers range from $6-$10, cocktails $8-$11, premium drinks $9+. Burgers, sandwiches, and wraps start at $13, salads start at $10, large menu of casual "pub food".)

If you are interested in helping make this happen, please fill in the form and get in touch and aim to arrive in New York not later than 8th April.

— Richard Lucas (TEDxKazimierz)
richardlucas@richardlucas.com

Goals and Ideology:

To give those who are taking part in the TEDFest a more relaxed time and space to hang out, talk, listen, get to know each other, and share their ideas.