TEDx Conference Coming to Maui

By David Kvasnicka

A local and independently organized version of the world-famous TED conference will be held on Maui in early 2012. TED, which stands for Technology, Entertainment,

Image courtesy of TEDxMaui.

Design, has gone far beyond its original scope to become a prominent forum for the world’s most progressive thinkers.

Designated “TEDxMaui” to distinguish itself from the main TED event held each year in Palm Springs, California, the locally produced events require licensing and adherence to strict rules. Many of the details of the event on Maui are currently being withheld from the public.

Ordinarily, tickets to TED cost $3000-$6000 each, or $2500 each for TED Women. However, early indications suggest that ticket prices for the Maui event will be just a tiny fraction of that.

TEDxMaui has secured the Castle Theater at the MACC for the single-day conference, at which approximately 13 speakers will give talks. Meals, entertainment, and refreshments will be provided by organizers and sponsors in the interims. The audience size will be deliberately limited, however due to the size of the venue and other indicators, it is estimated that the Maui conference will be around six times larger than the upcoming TEDxHonolulu on 11 November, 2011.

The event is currently being organized by Sara Tekula, Katie McMillan (who is also the license-holder for Maui), two other Maui residents, and an office support crew operating out of Traverse City, Michigan.

Photo courtesy of the MACC.

TEDxMaui organizers are accepting applications for those who’d like be speakers. Applications can be submitted at the appropriate TEDxMaui page. Several talks at the Maui event are expected to appear on the main TED website, which has a huge global audience.

An official announcement of the TEDxMaui is expected in July, 2011. Check back with Maui Now as more information becomes public.