AIGA Jacksonville is very excited to be sponsoring TEDx RiversideAvondale on Saturday, October 20, at Friday Musicale, Florida’s oldest cultural organization. Like other independently organized TED events, this gathering of people has the goal of presenting ideas, sharing insights and inspiring innovation in a community. There will be eight presenters talking about a broad range of topics from rocket science to music and history. The event is limited to 100 people, all required to fill out an application and pay to attend.

Each event presenter must introduce his or her topic in less than 18 minutes. The presenters will be:

Parvez Ahmed on the roots of sustainability, what does it mean in terms of both education and business best-practices and what we can expect in the future.

Jon Cowart to share his unique perspective, anticipating the future of technology and space exploration.

Bert Herring, MD discussing global obesity and how the outcome of his research sparked a solution that has helped thousands of people overcome obesity and solve the unsolvable.

Al Letson who, through a mix of multi-media, performance and storytelling, highlights his journey from nerdy comic book aficionado to renowned poet and radio host.

William Miller to raise questions relating the guiding forces behind innovation.

Roger Nierenberg to outline “The Music Paradigm,” a one-of-a-kind meeting “event” that has helped major companies embrace useful lessons about leadership.

Kevin Songer to share his vision and advances with sustainable, nature-irrigated green roof systems.

Wayne Wood to explore the dynamics of historic preservation from both a national and local perspective.

As with any TED event, presentations will be recorded, edited and submitted to TED.com, so that people from around the world can share. AIGA Jacksonville is supporting TEDx RiversideAvondale as another opportunity to showcase Jacksonville as an innovative/forward-thinking city. With its main focus of spreading ideas and stimulating action in communities, we know the event has the potential to ignite new ideas to improve the city in which we live.

For more information, visit the TEDx RiversideAvondale site.

~ Karen Kurycki, President, AIGA Jacksonville