“An idea that is developed and put into action is more important than an idea that exists only as an idea.” …

– Siddhartha Buddha

At the time I obtained a license in June 2009 to host a TEDx event for Carleton University, I knew the task of organizing such as event was going to be no small exercise.  As event host, the tasks involved are much more than logistics handling and finding cool speakers.  I took to heart the role of “Curator” and challenged myself to create a positive experience for all those I can touch with such an event.  For me, “curating” TEDxCarletonU involved four specific areas: event theme, external outreach, “community” engagement and student experience.

Event Theme

My first concern was to tie a theme that was unique to TEDxCarletonU while maintaining loyalty to the overarching TED philosophy of “ideas worth spreading”.  Given my work at Carleton University to support the development of innovation arising from our research activities, I decided to focus on those researchers who were truly pushing the limits of their respective disciplines.

Good ideas were a good start but I believed it would be — as the Buddha quote states — that an idea put into action was more important than “just an idea”.  Hence, I sought those researchers who had the vision and commitment to apply their ideas for real-world benefit.   I also sought to find those researchers on campus who were relatively new to Carleton (and the Ottawa region) and give them a platform to share their innovative ideas.

External Outreach

An important dimension of TEDxCarletonU is the desire to “showcase” the innovative research that goes on at Carleton U to an external audience.  The audience make-up of our first TEDxCarletonU event, as a result, will be over 80% external attendees.  I deliberately sought to make the event an outreach of Carleton U into the broader Ottawa community.  In keeping with this view, the event is being hosted off-campus at the fabulous Gladstone Theatre.

Community Engagement

For first-time organizers like myself, our TEDx attendance is limited to 100 people as per our license with TED.  With so many TED aficionados in the Ottawa region, the issue of who can attend the TEDxCarletonU event represents the most daunting task of all.  It was for this reason that I selected a “theme” to help identify prospective attendees.  In keeping with our TEDxCarletonU theme of “Ideas Driving Innovation“, I thought to attract local “changemakers” who were equally passionate about ideas and, more importantly, were actively involved in making a difference in the Ottawa area.  In a sense, my goal was to engage a diverse audience of community changemakers who understood and “practiced” our event theme.

Student Experience

Last but not least, I believe the TEDxCarletonU event should also engage our amazingly creative and talented students in all aspects of the event organization (social media, web design, public relations, photography, etc).  I am very proud of the team of highly motivated students who have joined me in bringing TEDxCarletonU to life.