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Archives for May 2012

And the final TEDxMileHigh 2012 speaker lineup is…

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We’re just days away from TEDxMileHigh 2012: Risk & Reward and we’ve added a few more speakers to the lineup, which is now complete. Here’s a sneak peek at the innovators and changemakers that you will hear from on Saturday, June 2nd:

Kelly Brough, president and CEO of the Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce and an avid supporter of our local business community. She also has extensive experience in government, having implemented Denver’s 3-1-1 customer service system and led significant reforms including moving the City to a full pay-for-performance system.

Mayor Hancock, Denver Mayor and advocate for the people and businesses of the City.  He believes in bringing different groups together to find common-sense solutions to complicated challenges. Plus he believes that by working together we can create a world-class city.

Allen Lim, sports physiologist and cycling trainer for many of the world’s top cyclists, including Lance Armstrong. Allen recently founded Skratch Labs and spends much of his time turning his love for the bicycle into a legitimate tool for social change.

Samantha Lobato, a recent graduate of Career Education Center Middle College and a youth leader for Project VOYCE (Voices of Youth Changing Education). Serving as a liaison between students and schools to foster open communication, Samantha also  coaches fellow students to become leaders in their school community.

Hugo Matheson, chef and co-founder of The Kitchen. An advocate of community, Hugo aims to create connections and conversations through food. His restaurants balance mindful eco-practices with simple, straightforward preparations of familiar classics. “We’re trying to build a community where people feel comfortable…,” he says.

Evan Walden + Nathaniel Koloc, co-founders of ReWork, a startup that connects professionals with companies that are making the world a better place. Between the two of them, they’ve racked up several honors—both are StartingBloc fellows and Nathaniel is a 2011 Unreasonable fellow.

Kelly, Mayor Hancock, Allen, Samantha, Hugo, Evan and Nathaniel will join the previously announced TEDxMileHigh 2012 lineup, which includes:

  • Natalie Baumgartner, PhD, a clinical psychologist and co-founder of RoundPegg
  • Jeremy Bloom, two-time Olympian and founder of Wish of a Lifetime foundation
  • Kayvon Coffey, violin prodigy and member of Denver Young Artists Orchestra
  • Chris Davenport, two-time World Champion skier and TV commentator
  • Adam Lerner, director and chief animator of the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver
  • Timothy Marquez, founder, CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors of energy company Venoco, Inc.
  • Ryan Martens, founder of Rally Software and CEO of the Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado
  • Laura Merage, an artist and social entrepreneur who founded RedLine Denver
  • Todd Neff, writer and editor of CLeanEnergy.com
  • Jessica Posner, “America’s Top World Changer Under 25” and co-founder of Shining Hope for Communities
  • Woody Roseland, five-time cancer survivor and comedian
  • Slam Nuba, award-winning slam poets Ken Arkind, Bobby Lefebre and Theo Wilson
  • A special musical guest to be announced…

We have a few tickets left at http://tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com. They also include access to the Exhibits Lounge where attendees  can engage in hands-on workshops, live product demonstrations, idea exchanges, and interactive technology displays hosted in a social environment. The Exhibits lounge will be open on June 2nd from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., during intermission from 3 to 4 p.m. and after the program from 6 to 8 p.m. So come early and stay late!

Become an insider: Check out Colorado’s emerging products + technologies

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Come early and stay late at TEDxYouth@MileHigh and TEDxMileHigh 2012: Risk & Reward. Your ticket not only gives you access to a stellar programming lineup, but it also gets you backstage access to the TEDxMileHigh Exhibits Lounge, situated in the Studio Loft at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House.

At the Exhibits Lounge, TEDxYouth@MileHigh and TEDxMileHigh 2012 ticketholders will be among the first to demo new technologies, test new products and take in creative works that are developed right here in Colorado.

Open to TEDxYouth@MileHigh attendees:
Friday, June 1st from 1 to 2 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.

Also open to TEDxMileHigh 2012: Risk & Reward attendees:
Saturday, June 2nd from 11 a.m. to 12: 45 p.m., during intermission from 3 to 4 p.m., and again from 6 to 8 p.m.

What’s inside the Exhibits Lounge? Here’s a preview of the featured spaces:

  • Projects Zone. A place where attendees can share their ‘big ideas’. Engage in active ideation sessions among Colorado innovators with the aim of harnessing the energy, optimism and talent of our Denver community to create innovative answers to big questions.
  • The Entrepreneurs Garage. This is an incubator where work and play converge, and where ideas become prototypes. You will have the chance to meet the minds behind emerging innovative products such as mountain bikes, skis, sport nutritional products, and more.

    Courtesy: Praxis Guitars
  • Innovation in Academia. From the lab to the classroom to the community, these interactive experiences will offer a glimpse into projects that are shaping how one university approaches sustainability, technology and education.
  • TEDxMileHigh Book Store. A zone featuring books from TEDxMileHigh speakers as well as those curated by TED and TEDxMileHigh. Authors will also be on hand to autograph books, including:
    +Allen Lim, entrepreneur and former cycling trainer, at 12 p.m.
    +Todd Siler, visual artist, author and educator,  at 6:15 p.m.
  • Food + Community Table. You’ll get a taste (pun intended) of what local, community-minded food is all about. Try small bites from several different restaurants and engage with the chefs behind the culinary magic. Spoiler alert: You’ll get to sample fare from Jonesy’s EatBar, The Kitchen-Denver, Linger, Root Down and more.

    Courtesy: Josh McNeilly
  • Artisanal Coffee + Dessert Bar. To cap off your experience, get your caffeine fill from coffee made and brewed by Denver’s top baristas and roasters. And yes, sweets will also be on the menu. Think Crave Coffee & Desserts, Crema, Happy Coffee and Novo Coffee. It will be a unique experience that introduces you to the nuanced joys of exceptional coffee, desert and conversation.

Intrigued? If you already have your tickets, be sure to come early or stay late to take in the full TEDxMileHigh x-prience. If you need to get your hands on tickets, there are still some available. TEDxMileHigh 2012: Risk & Reward tickets are available at http://tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com. TEDxYouth@MileHigh tickets are available exclusively to students aged 12-22 and can be reserved at http://www.tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com.

We look forward to seeing you at the Exhibits Lounge!

Inspiring emerging innovators: TEDxYouth@MileHigh

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On Friday June 1st, students from across the Front Range will have an opportunity to participate in the inaugural TEDxYouth@MileHigh event at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House in downtown Denver. In concert with this year’s theme of Risk & Reward, the event will showcase some of Colorado’s most brilliant thinkers and accomplished doers who will share their big ideas on topics such as education, science, technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability. The event is offered at no cost, and presentations will encourage the audience of students aged 12 to 22 to connect with the power of great ideas and inspired action.

TEDxYouth@MileHigh is made possible through support from the University of Colorado Denver| Anschutz Medical Campus. When asked what inspired the University to connect with TEDxMileHigh, Chancellor Don Elliman shared, “This event showcases a core value at the University which is innovation. Without the risk takers we have among our faculty and researchers, we would not see the breakthrough medical treatments, new technologies and community and academic programs that are helping so many throughout our community, the nation and world.”

Students will hear from inspiring risk takers who share stories of their accomplishments seeded in their own youth. They include Samantha Lobato, whose story of triumph, perseverance, and commitment encourages students to consider how they can overcome obstacles in their own lives. Kimbal Musk will describe how he achieved his vision of creating a new kind of school garden which offers an experiential learning environment as an extension of the playground. Attendees will also be treated to the tremendous perspective and inspiration of five-time cancer survivor Woody Roseland, who shares his message of hope, perseverance, and positivity through humor.

The entrepreneurial spirit that fuels innovation demands a high risk and failure tolerance. In order to prepare students with the tools to be persistent and driven in creating the ventures that will shape our city, presenters will share their experiences and encourage students to take action on the issues important to them.

In addition to hearing live speakers, attendees will be able to visit the TEDxMileHigh Exhibits Lounge before and after the Youth Event which showcases innovation in sports, technology, and design as well as engagement in projects that encourage students to consider their own vision for their communities. “The future depends on asking questions, challenging status quo and pushing boundaries that lead to improvements and breakthroughs,” explained Chancellor Elliman, “Risk taking is at the heart of innovation.  It’s being willing to step into the unknown with the confidence that your effort will indeed make a difference.”

If you or your school is interested in joining TEDxYouth@MileHigh  on June 1st, click here to reserve your free tickets.

X-pand your TEDxMileHigh x-perience!

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Attendees of the inaugural TEDxMileHigh 2011 shared that they loved the presenters and content, but wished there was more time to meet and connect with fellow TEDxers. With this in mind, the 2012 TEDxMileHigh experience offers x-panded opportunities to get to know others, connect with TEDxMileHigh speakers and performers, and become immersed in ideas worth spreading.

Join us on Thursday, May 31st from 6 to 9 p.m. at RedLine Denver for TEDxMileHigh’s X-clusive Kickoff Reception, where you will get a sneak peak at a traveling exhibition organized by Art Works for Change entitled Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women and Art. This exhibit, which brings together the work of 26 internationally known contemporary artists, is intended to inspire the belief that communities can change a culture of violence. Join TEDxMileHigh speakers, partners and producers to enjoy an open bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a live performance and a surprise announcement for this kick-off to the TEDxMileHigh weekend. Tickets are $35 each and can be purchased at http://www.tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com. Space is limited.

Want more ‘x’? Cap off your TEDxMileHigh experience on Saturday, June 2nd from 7 to 9 p.m. by attending the TEDxMileHigh Speakers Banquet at Kevin Taylor’s at the Opera House. Think of this as an x-clusive opportunity to continue discussing the power of great ideas with TEDxMileHigh 2012 speakers, performers and community influencers over a delectable dining experience complemented by live entertainment. This is not a ticketed event and only available to TEDxMileHigh presenters, producers, partners and individual donors ($250 level and higher).

For a limited time, you can do both. We are pleased to be able to thank TEDxMileHigh 2012 Patrons ($250 individual donor level) with one ticket to the May 31st X-clusive Kickoff Reception, one VIP Ticket for TEDxMileHigh 2012: Risk & Reward, and an invitation to the Speakers Banquet immediately following TEDxMileHigh 2012. Space for these opportunities is quite limited, so gain unique access to an incredible x-perience by becoming a TEDxMileHigh Patron at http://www.tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com.

If you have already purchased a ticket to TEDxMileHigh 2012, but would like to upgrade to a TEDxMileHigh Patron, simply select TEDxMileHigh Patron at http://www.tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com and we will cancel your original ticket purchase. Should you have questions, please contact Laura Van Ark at [email protected].

Which TEDxMileHigh presenter would you like to engage in discussion? If you had the opportunity to pose one question to a speaker of your choice, what would it be?

TEDxMileHigh 2012 x-pands its presenter lineup

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What do a World Champion skier, an energy entrepreneur and philanthropist, an artist and social entrepreneur, and a violin prodigy have in common? They will each share the Ellie Caulkins Opera House stage along with nearly one dozen other presenters at TedxMileHigh 2012: Risk & Reward (#TEDxMH12) on Saturday, June 2nd.

So we’ve already revealed the initial presenter lineup: two-time Olympian Jeremy Bloom, museum curator Adam Lerner, social activist and entrepreneur Jessica Posner, and slam poetry trio Slam Nuba. But who will join them? Glad you asked! Eight remarkable presenters have just been added to the lineup, and they are:

Natalie Baumgartner, PhD
Natalie is a clinical psychologist who has devoted her career to advising companies on human capital issues such as employee hiring, development and engagement, and helps individuals find a “fit” in the workplace. It’s this cultural fit that Natalie says “revolutionizes how we work.”

Kayvon Coffey
Kayvon, a junior at Kent Denver School, is a violin prodigy who recently won the concerto competition with the Symphony in the Valley and has been accepted into the Colorado All-State Orchestra. He has created a number of audio and video productions with StudioStars, including “The Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor.”

Christopher Davenport
Skiing Magazine calls him one of North America’s top 25 skiers. An accomplished big mountain skier, Chris became the first person to ski all 54 of Colorado’s 14,000-foot peaks in less than one year. Through his pursuits and adventures in the outdoors, Chris has become an expert on risk management as it relates to a wide variety of disciplines.

Timothy Marquez
As an oilman, Tim is known for turning a startup oil and gas firm into one of the largest oil and gas companies operating in California. He is also a highly regarded philanthropist who founded the Denver Scholarship Foundation as well as the Timothy and Bernadette Marquez Foundation to advance education initiatives.

Ryan Martens
Ryan founded his fifth software startup to break the take-make-waste cycle of technology in our society. His passion for sustainability led him to launch Entrepreneurs Foundation of Colorado, a foundation that funds citizen entrepreneurs to help solve some of our world’s toughest challenges.

Laura Merage
Laura left her homeland of Tehran, Iran at the age of fifteen and went on to make her mark as an internationally renowned artist and photographer. Also a social entrepreneur, Laura created RedLine Denver, a polyphonic arts organization, to serve as a catalyst for educational activities and foster community connections.

Todd Neff
A former Ted Scripps Fellow in Environmental Journalism at the University of Colorado, Todd is a journalist who provides a unique perspective on the clean energy landscape. He also authored From Jars to the Stars, a history of Ball Aerospace and its Deep Impact mission.

Woody Roseland
A five-time cancer survivor now in remission, Woody was first diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer at the age of 16. While in the hospital, he discovered a penchant for comedy and now shares his message of hope, perseverance and positivity at charity fundraisers, corporate events, school assemblies and hospital rooms.

In order to be inspired by these presenters and collaborate with fellow TEDxers at the event of the year, get your tickets before they sell out at http://www.tedxmilehigh2012.eventbrite.com.

In the meantime, we invite you to connect with the TEDxMileHigh community on Facebook and Twitter. These are the two spots where you will get insider info first and rare behind-the-scenes glimpses. We look forward to seeing you on June 2nd!

Get your students excited about the power of ideas

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TEDxYouth@MileHigh, made possible by University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, connects students aged 12 to 22 with the state’s most brilliant thinkers to inspire students to be more creative and innovative in their own lives and communities.

What better way to inspire the innovators and leaders of tomorrow than connecting them to the power of ideas—for free? That’s the driving thought behind TEDxYouth@MileHigh. Students and educators from across the state are invited to the event, which will be held on Friday, June 1st from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House. Colorado’s most brilliant thinkers and accomplished doers will share their big ideas on topics such as education, science, health, technology, entrepreneurship, and sustainability.

The Youth Event is open to students aged 12 to 22 and offered at no cost. Students will hear from powerful speakers from around the state—some of whom will speak at the main TEDxMileHigh event. Youth event presenters include international social entrepreneur Bianca Griffith, five-time cancer survivor and comedian Woody Roseland, slam poetry trio Slam Nuba, and several others. Youth speakers will also take the stage to share their experiences.

The program promises to challenge audience members to think critically about their lives, communities and own leadership, and is designed to inspire the students to be more creative and innovative. The event will be a great way for students of the same school to connect around the ideas and collaborate on how they might implement them. Also, the topics discussed can serve as a way to supplement existing classroom lessons. Comparable leadership experiences to TEDxYouth@MileHigh typically cost hundreds of dollars per participant.

Schools can bring as few as 20 students and as many as 350. TEDxMileHigh recommends one to two adult chaperones for every 15 to 20 students under the age of 18. Schools are asked to coordinate the logistics of getting teacher and parent approval and arranging transportation. For those schools that need to pay for buses, TEDxMileHigh can cover some or all of these transportation costs.

In addition to hearing live speakers and recorded TED Talks on June 1st, attendees will be able to visit the TEDxMileHigh Exhibits Lounge before and after the Youth Event, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. The Exhibits Lounge will showcase technology demonstrations, new products, creative works of art and other innovative projects.

A special thanks to TEDxMileHigh’s partner, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, and TEDxMileHigh volunteers and supporters for making TEDxYouth@MileHigh possible through their generous support.

If you are interested in having your school attend TEDxMileHigh’s Youth Event, click here to reserve your tickets.

Image courtesy of Flickr user Áthila Armstrong.

What topics would you like to see addressed at the Youth Event? What innovative ideas have 6-12 graders implemented in your community to create an impact?

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