How to Organize a TEDx Event
TEDx events may last from a few hours to a full day and cover a broad range of topics. They are named after their locations and aim to serve the community they represent.
Up to 100 people can attend a standard TEDx event. The primary license holder must have attended a TED conference in person to organize a TEDx event.
TEDx License
The TEDx license grants permission for a TEDx event. However, the license is not a grant of rights to any specific intellectual property or content. The organizer of a TEDx is required to seek written permissions to use any third-party materials. The TEDx license also requires that the organizer follow the TEDx Content Guidelines and Copyright Guidelines.
TEDx events can be held in person or virtual, and may have up to 100 attendees. TEDx events cannot be used to raise funds or host commercial activities. They must be non-profit. TEDx organizers must also provide their viewers with a way to contact them.
TEDx events must adhere to the spirit of TED and be multidisciplinary. They must focus on ideas that have the potential to change attitudes, lives and the world. In addition, the primary TEDx license holder must have attended a TED conference in person. If this condition is not met, TED reserves the right to revoke the license.
TEDx Site
Organizing your TEDx event requires attention to detail and compliance with TED’s rules. Your TEDx events can last from a few hours to a full day and host up to 100 attendees. You must have a dedicated team of volunteers to help plan and execute your event.
Your TEDx theme should be broad enough to accommodate a wide variety of speakers and topics. You should also consider your local audience and the types of opportunities (jobs, media, customers) you want to attract.
Your TEDx organizers must adhere to the rules set out by TED and TEDx, including a maximum of 18 minutes for talks and no advertising or promotion of products on stage. You must also ensure that all materials used in talks are copyright-free. You must have your speakers sign a speaker waiver, which grants TED the right to edit and distribute videos of their presentations. The speaker waiver is provided by TED and can be downloaded here.
TEDx Social Media
As a TEDx licensee, you must follow TED’s guidelines and practices for the use of TED and TEDx logos. You cannot allow spectators to film your event, including talk sessions and breaks. Only a designated film crew working under the direction of a TEDx organizer may shoot b-roll at your event.
TEDx organizers should encourage their speakers and performers to keep their talks short and to the point. Breaks between talks and performances can be helpful, especially for audiences that might get bored or restless.
TEDx organizers should host a blog on their website and regularly send email updates to guests, including speaker announcements and interviews, newly released TED Talks, and event news and updates. Organizers should also encourage their audience to share their thoughts on the talks they’ve seen and to interact with one another through social media during the event. TEDx organizers can also create an editorial calendar with Studio talks relevant to specific themes or programming tracks.
TEDx Watch Party
TEDx Watch Parties are an excellent way to bring your community together to discuss and share ideas. These events allow people to join a virtual event that showcases the work of TED speakers and performers in their own community. Organizers must follow all TEDx rules, including those regarding the use of partners. For example, a partner cannot add any visual elements to the presentation slides or interview clips. This can distract from the content. TEDx also stipulates that the event should be named after its location.
Recruit team members who have event planning and project management experience to help you manage the many tasks involved in a TEDx event. Ideally, these members are passionate about TED’s mission and have the time to dedicate to the role. Be sure to include them in every decision-making process. You will need them to ensure that your event stays within the TEDx rules. For example, you must limit the length of talks to 18 minutes. Ensure that your event includes breaks between talks and performances.