TEDxGatewayArch Event Recap
TEDxGatewayArch (TEDxArch for short) takes TED’s mission to spread ideas worth spreading, but we are independently organized at a grassroots level and locally focused.
We bring together big thinkers and change makers with a connection to St. Louis to present an eighteen-minute talk of their lives on a subject that spans the fields of technology, entertainment and design. The speeches are then published online for everyone to enjoy. The events include live speeches, exhibitors, food and beverage, networking and entertainment. There are currently over 1500 cities around the world that have formed TEDx events, and that number is fast growing.
On January 11, TEDxArch put on our first major event titled “Confluence.” Our idea is to bring different streams of thought together in one place and to celebrate the innovation and ideas that are right here in St. Louis, MO. TEDxArch gives a huge thanks to The Sheldon Concert Hall for hosting the event in their beautiful, spacious venue.
The event sold out and attracted a crowd of over 750 attendees, which doesn’t include the more than 3,000 others who tuned in to The Nine Network live simulcast. They provided excellent production services as one of our main sponsors. We have grown immensely since our first event, a small salon, which took place in June 2013 with just 50 guests. In January, attendees ranged from high-ranking executives to busker groups, or street performers. 2014 is off to a great start already, and plans for our next event for fall 2014 are already underway.
Eliot Frick’s speech was very well received. After his speech at COCA biz in 2013, he is quickly gaining popularity for his big ideas on making businesses more human. The goose in the bottle prop was creative and amusing. He truly sparks the imagination of his audience, and he helped set the tone for the event. We look forward to his video being published along with the other 18 speakers’ very soon!
In addition, we give a gracious thank you to all of the amazing speakers, sponsors and exhibitors. Maryville University presented the entire event and organized a beautiful reception at Hotel Ignacio. Kaldi’s Coffee, Nawgan, The Blue Owl, Pairings Catering and Pi Pizza provided food and beverage. COCA biz gifted us with excellent speaker coaching, 100th Monkey Media acted as our social media butterfly and MuvIdeas did all of our design work. Bigwidesky has played an integral role in the strategic communications and marketing for TEDxArch. Overall, we were very pleased with the outcome of this first event, and we look forward to the upcoming year of festivities including the 250th birthday of our near and dear city of St. Louis.
Also read Joe Scherrer’s review, Trip Report: TEDx Gateway Arch Conference–A Fun, Lively Presentation of Ideas.
