Ready to be inspired by icons, geniuses and mavericks of 2015? Mark your calendars (and
purchase your tickets
) for Chapman’s fourth annual TEDxChapmanU event Aug. 20. As
Char Williams
,
director, institutional event management and operations
, and her team gear up for the big event, take a look into what goes on behind the scenes in planning for this extraordinary occasion.

char-williams


Char Williams, director, institutional event management and operations



But first, what is TEDx? From the TEDxChapmanU
website
: In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxChapmanU, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxChapmanU event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

Take a look
here
at talks from last year’s ultra-successful TEDxChapmanU.

What type of qualities do you look for in speakers when recruiting?


Char Williams: We are looking for people who have an idea worth sharing. We want people who are passionate dreamers and thinkers. We are looking for icons, geniuses and mavericks.

What success have past TEDx events seen?


jennifer-decker


Jennifer Decker, TEDxChapmanU 2014 speaker, tornado survivor, motivational speaker



Last year we sold out — we actually oversold! TED has brand loyalty. If you’ve ever watched a TED talk, you know that you can walk away with even a little nugget of something you didn’t know before. We can leave a 10-minute talk inspired, rejuvenated or fired up! We can listen to/watch a TED talk and see something from a new/fresh perspective, and that is the idea behind TED and TEDx events.

How can UA staff help as volunteers?


We have many opportunities for staff to assist that day and the days leading up to our event. We have swag bags to stuff, ushering opportunities, green room attendants, registration table check in, crowd control and the like. Be on the lookout for a mass UA email for your change to get involved.

What steps are involved in the planning process of TEDxChapmanU?


untitled


Brian Kessler, TEDxChapmanU 2014 speaker, inventor, founder and president, Maui Toys



Our process starts within a couple of weeks after the event itself. We must renew our license for the next year to be able to do this annually. Obviously, we aren’t planning full-time during September, but our full court press of planning starts around February when we start discussing possible speakers.

From there, we move forward with securing the venue to contracts, stage design, confirming speakers, securing volunteers and working on swag, name badges, ticket sales, marketing, show flow and whatnot. We rely heavily on Internet publicity and our web and interactive media team does a great job for us with that. Our design team works tirelessly on and print materials we need. Sound, video and lighting are all handled through our staff, as well as Panther Productions (and additionally with an outside vendor). It truly is a collective SMC team effort.