Texas Tech to Host First TEDx Conference

The Texas Tech University System will host the inaugural TEDx Texas Tech conference Feb. 8 at the Texas Tech School of Law. Multiple live streaming locations also will be available.

“This is a great moment for the university system in hosting our first TEDxTexasTechUniversity event,” said Ron Banister, M.D., conference organizer and assistant professor in the TTUHSC Department of Anesthesiology. “It is an excellent opportunity to be part of the passion of the TED organization and to join the TEDx global community. TED has a longstanding reputation for sharing cutting-edge concepts in the areas of art, education, design and technology. Our passion for innovation and the university’s unique efforts to envision, create and implement new ideas will be the cornerstone of this conference.”

Speakers and presenters will discuss topics representative of West Texas and the Texas Tech University System. Organizers encouraged applications not only from Texas Tech students, faculty, staff and alumni, but also from representatives of the business, social, art and music communities in the area.

Founded in 1984, TED stands for “technology, entertainment, design” and is perhaps most famous for its online “TED Talks” that have been viewed by millions around the world. The annual TED conference brings together some of the world’s leading thinkers and doers. In the spirit of “ideas worth spreading,” TED created a program called TEDx where “X” indicates the events are independently organized.

“TEDxTexasTechUniversity is a wonderful opportunity for our community to share their remarkable ideas, innovations, stories, and experiences with a global audience,” said Kellilynn Frias, conference organizer and assistant professor in the Rawls College of Business. “The TED mission—ideas worth spreading—parallels our dedication throughout the university system to advancing knowledge through innovative teaching, research and scholarship. I am excited to see the TED and TEDx platform brought to life at Texas Tech University.”

TEDxTexasTechUnversity is an independently-produced event operating under license from TED.