It may seem counterintuitive to host a classically trained pianist, an immigration reform advocate and a wildlife ecologist on the same stage, but TEDxFoggyBottom, a student-organized conference at the George Washington University, will do just that on Feb. 7.
Modeled after the successful TED speaker series, which provides a platform for unique perspectives on diverse topics, TEDxFoggyBottom will bring together more than 1,000 attendees and 21 speakers for a day-long interactive event at the Marvin Center.
“This event gives people a chance to share and hear ideas,” said GW student Brian Doyle, the lead curator and licensee of TEDxFoggyBottom. “Whether you are a student, a performer or an executive director, the TEDx stage is a place to share with others."
Mr. Doyle, a self-described “guy who doesn’t sleep a lot,” is a TED veteran. He led his first event,
TEDxYouth@SanDiego, in high school and delivered his first talk two months ago at the same event. He was also selected to attend TEDGlobal in Edinburgh, Scotland, in 2012.
In 2013, he tackled his biggest project yet, as one of two organizers behind TEDxFoggyBottom 2013, a successful event that created a buzz on campus and in the community.
“We had some really cool moments last year when people came up to us and said how inspired they were,” he said. “As we were planning we would say, ‘Last year we had a lot of people hear about the event, but this year we want people to see it.’”
TEDxFoggyBottom 2014 boasts a diverse range of speakers and performers, including Denit Trust Distinguished Scholar and Professor Annamaria Lusardi, GW students Priyanka Pardasani and Oz Fishman, TED Fellow and self-taught percussive guitarist Usman Riaz, and Postmodern Jukebox, a band that went viral on YouTube for their retro take on popular music. TED Community & Fellows Director Tom Rielly will act as master of ceremonies.
“The theme this year is illuminate because the goal is to spark conversation,” Mr. Doyle said. “We are trying to shed light on these speakers and what they are passionate about.”
Attendees can network in breakout room discussions with speakers, sip coffee samples from Coexist, a nonprofit that donates proceeds to communities in conflict, or check out an exhibit by D.C. Central Kitchen, among other interactive fare.
Sponsorships and support from vendors such as Lizard Brain Solutions, Thinkfun and university departments and organizations, including the Alumni Association, Creative Services, the Student Association, Human Resources LEAD program and the Division of Student Affairs, were a great help to the process, according to Mr. Doyle.
Tickets are on sale leading up to the event for $20.
“We want to offer a quality program with an affordable price for students,” he said. “GW has been incredible in its support from the administration down.”
Though tickets have already been purchased by TED enthusiasts across the country, Mr. Doyle hopes that the university and the surrounding neighborhoods will take ownership of the event and build the local TEDx community.
“This event truly focuses on the community and GW’s place in it,” Mr. Doyle said. “The university does a great job of treating students with respect, and TEDxFoggyBottom is proof that students with passion and dedication can put together an event that affects others.”