Tracker Pixel for Entry

​TEDxFargo anticipates biggest turnout by far

News | June 24th, 2015

Photo by Dan Francis

In 2012, the first-ever TEDxFargo event drew just 100 people. Since then, the expected audience has grown about 20-fold.

Organizers of this year’s TEDxFargo anticipate up to 2,000 attendees at the Fargo Civic Center July 23 -- by far the best turnout yet, according to TEDx PR representative Mark Staples.

Greg Tehven of Emerging Prairie and Dr. Susan Mathison of Catalyst Medical Center are the curators of the event. Along with their team of volunteers, they decided on “wonder” as this year’s theme. Speakers were then asked to give talks about their own experiences with wonder.

Planning began over seven months ago and the all-volunteer event is now just weeks away. As the countdown begins, 20 different people from around the country are preparing to take the stage to address a wide range of topics. Six of the 20 presenters are locally based, including Kayla Delzer, a West Fargo second grade teacher who won the TEDxFargo open mic event by a public vote on Twitter, and Dr. Anne Blackhurst, president of Minnesota State University Moorhead.

The other 14 speakers are flying in from all over to talk about their own versions of wonder. Staples says the exact topics aren’t revealed prior to showtime in order to keep ticket holders guessing.

The eclectic group of 20 includes musicians, physicians, CEOs, university professors, philanthropists, humanitarians, tech-savvy brains and a theater director, among others. The event is designed to not only shine a spotlight on some of the great minds of our time, but also to facilitate conversation between individuals, speakers and listeners alike.

Tickets can be purchased at TEDxFargo.com, which has a comprehensive listing of all speakers and their backgrounds.The price for general admission is $100. For attendees ages 22 and under, it’s just $45 to get in. There is also special pricing for groups of ten or more.

Staples said the goal is to give everyone an experience worth at least twice the price of a general admission ticket, with continental breakfast, lunch, entertainment, snacks, a swag bag, massages, unlimited caffeine and hydration (guests should bring their own water bottles) and more. Just think, all of that included as well as getting to see the 20 world-class speakers, who are presenting without pay, per TEDx policy.

“TEDxFargo is a great event for people to attend whether they have never gone to any sort of conference or have been to a dozen events like this,” Staples said. “It's an event with something to offer to every open mind that steps through the door.”

Event Info:

TEDxFargo

Thu, July 23, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Fargo Civic Center

TEDxFargo.com has more information and a link to buy tickets

Recently in:

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comNorth Dakotans will take part in a nationwide civil rights rally on Thursday, July 17. Protests, marches, rallies and acts of service are scheduled in Bismarck, Bottineau, Devils Lake,…

Back-to-school season is on the horizon, but there's still plenty of summer left. Check out our favorite August attractions and events in North Dakota and western Minnesota. And if if you missed them, here are a few excellent May…

July 18-19, 25-26 and August 2-3North Dakota Horse Park, 5180 19th Ave. N., FargoLadies and gentlemen, prepare to place your bets — racing season is upon us! Not just horses will be racing this year; word on the street suggests…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.com On July fourth, Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest took place at Coney Island. The winners, Joey Chestnut and Miki Sudo, reigned victorious. Chestnut earned his 17th title by…

By Ed Raymondfargogadfly@gmail.comWhy doesn’t the world require politicians to leave office at 60?Most of the leaders of countries, whether gods, fascists, democrats or socialists, are not doing very well these days. David Van…

By Rick Gionrickgion@gmail.com Holiday wine shopping shouldn’t have to be complicated. But unfortunately it can cause unneeded anxiety due to an overabundance of choices. Don’t fret my friends, we once again have you covered…

By Rick Gion and Simone Wairickgion@gmail.com The Red River Market returned to downtown Fargo on Saturday, July 12. The event will take place every Saturday except July 19. (That date will be moved to Sunday, July 20, due to the…

By Alicia Underlee Nelsonalicia@hpr1.comThe Moorhead Public Library will offer three free, all-ages outdoor concerts featuring regional bands this summer. The series begins on June 12 with the Meat Rabbits, a group that blends…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comPhoto by Sabrina Hornung Wing, North Dakota is a town of 132 located about an hour northwest of Bismarck on Highway 36. There’s a shiny new Cenex on the intersection of the highway and the high…

By Deb Wallworkdwallwork@icloud.comI first met Catherine Mulligan at a party at her house. It was a small gathering, spontaneous, just a few people over for dinner. Directed toward a stack of plates and bowls and a big pot warming…

By John Showalterjohn.d.showalter@gmail.comPhoto by Yvonne Denault There is something intimate and personal about plays. Even in our age of multimillion dollar Hollywood productions and droves of streaming services, watching actors…

By Annie Prafckeannieprafcke@gmail.com AUSTIN, Texas – As a Chinese-American, connecting to my culture through food is essential, and no dish brings me back to my mother’s kitchen quite like hotdish. Yes, you heard me right –…

By Sabrina Hornungsabrina@hpr1.comNew Jamestown Brewery Serves up Local FlavorThere’s something delicious brewing out here on the prairie and it just so happens to be the newest brewery west of the Red River and east of the…

The drug that keeps re-purposing itselfBy Ellie Liveranieli.liverani.ra@gmail.com There is a drug that is getting a lot of attention nowadays all over the world. It has various commercial names (Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus), but…

By Alicia Underlee NelsonProtests against President Trump’s policies and the cuts made by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) are planned across North Dakota and western Minnesota Friday, April 4 and…

By Vern Thompsonvern.thompson@rocketmail.com Working in the Bakken oil fields of the Williston Basin is so different from my home in Fargo. I'm not judging, because the people working and living in western North Dakota are very…