TEDxGrandRapids 2013 officially launched today: a successful kick-off event just wrapped up at the City Flats Ballroom, and applications for invitations are now open. And it’s with excitement that our team shares this year’s theme with you: “Tag – You’re It!”
“Tag – You’re It!” is, at its most basic level, an invitation to participate in one of the most classic games we know. It’s our way of infusing this year’s TEDxGrandRapids with a fun, fresh, playful perspective. It’s an easy way to illustrate how we feel about the way community is built and the way information is shared. If you’ve ever played tag (and we bet you have), you know that the game forges connections, fosters spontaneity, and spreads exponentially and randomly. Embracing the theme of “Tag – You’re It” is our way of recruiting you to get in the game and encouraging you to be open to a wide range of possibilities as the event unfolds.
At a deeper level, though, the “Tag – You’re It” theme can be a useful metaphor for leadership. Getting in the game, in this case, means committing to a full day as part of a vibrant audience. It means joining in on important community conversations, meeting new people, and being open to hearing something that changes you. And once that happens, you’re effectively “it.” You’re charged, we think, with taking some action based on what you’ve learned. You’re challenged, we hope, to be a catalyst in your community, school, business, or peer group. You’re “it,” and it’s your turn to tag others and to lead them to take action, too.
If you haven’t already, we hope you’ll apply for an invitation to TEDxGrandRapids 2013. We’re looking forward to playing with you.
Just returned from tonight’s Kick-Off meeting at City Flats.Absolutely love the theme. What resonates most for me is how you’ve connected the game of tag to leadership. And not just traditional “I’ve got a title” leadership but rather the notion that sometimes leadership is a matter of stepping up once you’ve been “tagged”.
Looking forward to hearing more about the speakers and how you will bring this theme to life.
Nicely done TEDx Grand Rapids team!
I would like to request an invitation to this years event please.
Thank you,
John
Hi John,
We’re so glad you’re interested! To apply for an invitation, go here: http://tedxgrandrapids.org/2013-event/apply/
Thank you for hosting the 2013 TEDx kick off event. Great to meet and greet so many Minds of GR. Looking forward to a fascinating 2013 TEDx GR!
Hi Stephanie, we met a few weeks ago over at Sarah’s house!
I filled out an application/nomination form to be a speaker on the national TEDx website. Is there anything else I can do to be considered to speak at the Grand Rapids or Detroit event? Thank you so much for any suggestions! Maria
Hi Maria! Thanks for your interest in TEDxGrandRapids! I’ll email you privately to follow up with your speaker nomination questions.
Cheers!
Stephanie
I was listening one my friends speech today about “Creativity with Play & in place” which is done at TEDx Sarasota and inspired for 2013 GRR TEDx. I have a plan to go on TEDx stage to spin my idea in the future and start the conversations. Please let me know if I can help in any way for TEDx 2013 event.
Thanks,
Kurian KATT.
Hi Kurian,
Thanks for your enthusiasm for TEDxGR. Questions about volunteering for this year’s event should be sent to Georgia@tedxgrandrapids.org.