TEDxBristol Gathers Local Thinkers and Innovators

Online, June 23, 2011 (Newswire.com) - TEDxBristol, an independently organized TED event, will take place on the 8th September, 2011 at the newly opened M-Shed, Bristol. TEDxBristol aspires to introduce some of the most fascinating thinkers and doers to a world stage.

TEDxBristol is organised around the theme of 'the world around us' with a particular focus on creativity, innovation & sustainability. The event will feature a showcase of the region's leading thinkers, innovators, artists, philosophers and social business leaders representing such diverse fields as social enterprise, sustainable food, green energy, engineering, education, visual and digital art and game design among others.

TED was founded in 1984; the acronym stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design. The annual TED conference brings together some of the world's most fascinating thinkers and doers. In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED created a program called TEDx where x = independently organized.

"The event is as much about the attendees as it is the speakers," says UWE graduate Karl Hakeem Belizaire who applied and received the TEDx license. "TEDxBristol is a platform for sharing inspiration and is all about a passion for ideas. We believe in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world around us"

One hundred participants will be selected to experience the TEDx revolution. The event will also be live-streamed via screening events around the world. Tickets for TEDxBristol are £35 for the full day. Anyone interested in attending the event can register their interest by the 28th July on the TEDxBristol website: www.tedxbristol.com

Confirmed speakers so far include:

- Daniel Efergan & Gavin Strange, a creative combo working in the digital depths of Aardman Animations, strive to create fun through building games, nurturing communities and telling stories. Aardman Digital was recently awarded a BAFTA for the Wallace & Gromit's World of Invention website in the 2011 British Academy Television Awards.

- Richard Noble specialises in developing high risk ventures. Project Director of the BLOODHOUND Project, the engineering adventure for the 21st century, pushing the limits and inspiring young engineers and scientists with an incredible car capable of 1,000mph"

- Arthur Potts Dawson is a talented chef, restauranteur, cookery writer and social entrepreneur. His newest business venture, The People's Supermarket, opened in June 2010 and is a not-for-profit co-operative social enterprise. Jamie Oliver recently described Arthur as "the original green chef".

- Dr Marie-Annick Gournet is a Principal Lecturer in Intercultural Communication and Director of Widening Participation. The main interest is in the notion of identity, its basis and its relationship to culture. I am particularly interested in exploring the ideas of positive diversity and the impact of cultural hegemony and homogeneity.

- Tony Bury has spent the past three decades founding and running start up companies across the world. Philanthropist and serial entrepreneur, Tony is founder and trustee of Bristol based international charity the Mowgli Foundation, providing mentors who inspire, support and empower entrepreneurs in achieving their business and personal potential.

- Wendy Stephenson is a renewable energy engineer with 15 years experience in the environment and climate change sector. CEO of Converging World, a UK based charity that aims to address issues arising from social inequality, creating mechanisms which link communities in the developed and developing world.

More information about the event can be found at: www.tedxbristol.com

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x=independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.