This article was taken from the March 2013 issue of Wired magazine. Be the first to read Wired's articles in print before they're posted online, and get your hands on loads of additional content by <span class="s1">subscribing online.
On 13 October, 2012, TED celebrated its 5,000th TEDx conference.
The event was one of 70 held on the same day on the theme of the future of the city. It was a significant moment for the locally organised, community-run programme that launched in 2009, intended to widen the reach of TED's " ideas worth spreading". "After we started TED," says Lara Stein, TEDx's director, "we were approached by the mayors of places like Rio and Doha who wanted a TED in their cities. We needed to figure out a way of expanding without giving away control." The result was a carefully managed set of independent local conferences that replicate the format -- short talks, videos and networking -- in 149 countries. "It's an amazing way to bring the TED experience to your local community," says Stephan Blazer, a TEDx European ambassador. Each event takes place with TED's approval and branding, and has to follow guidelines that run to 140 pages.
Organisers can invite no more than 100 delegates (unless they themselves have attended the main TED), sponsorship is controlled, and rules about content include no "pseudo-science", no politics and no religion. Blazer's advice for TEDx organisers? "Start small, find partners who complement your skills, and set a budget. Some have to pay for things out of their own pocket -- which is not a good thing."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
