THEME:  "Manifest Destiny"


Welcome to the TEDxAndrews Speaker Application Process!  Thank you for your interest in being a part of TEDxAndrews which will take place in Andrews, South Carolina, on January 25, 2020!  Our speaker application process for TEDxAndrews will run from 1 October through midnight on 23 November.  
 
For those of you who have never heard of Andrews, South Carolina, it is a small, rural Town located in the Waccamaw region of South Carolina along the Black River.  Andrews was founded in 1909 as a railroad and logging community and from 1952 until the 1990s, Andrews was home to the Oneida Knitting Mill which was once the world's largest t-shirt manufacturer.  

TEDxAndrews is the first event of this kind in the Waccamaw region on South Carolina.   And it is important to this community because, too often, small, rural communities are not included in global conversations.  However, the Town of Andrews has set out to prove that, not only do small towns deserve to be included in global conversations, but we have beautiful, complex, innovative, exciting, and vital stories to share.  

During the U.S. economic recession in the 1990s, many of the industries that had supported Andrews' families for generations relocated and the Town of Andrews continued to decline.  And for many years, many people waited for jobs to return and felt powerless.  But recently, that has started to change.

In the past 4 years, Andrews has experienced a positive shift.  And that shift has resulted in an upgrade in its infrastructure and a resurgence in jobs, education, and the arts.  Many attribute this to a shift in mentality by those responsible - "the change-makers" -  who have propagated the mindset, "No one is coming to save us so we must save ourselves!"  In recognition of "the changes-makers" and the impact they are having in Andrews and small, rural communities like it all around the world, the theme for the very first TEDxAndrews event is "Manifest Destiny."

When filling out the application, keep in mind that we aren't merely looking for good speakers and/or performers; we're looking for "ideas worth spreading." TEDx talks and performances should share ideas that change perceptions, connect with emotions, are widely relatable and conveyed in 18 minutes or less. Wit this in mind, we invite speakers and performers from all disciplines, no matte where they are in the world.  Submissions should also consider this year's theme "Manifest Destiny," a phrase that asks audience members to consider a future vision for our world, inspires them to move beyond past mistakes, presents an idea that challenges our perceptions of "power," and incites them to find innovative and artistic ways to solve today's problems.  

If this is your first introduction to TED or if you need inspiration to prepare your submission, we encourage you to explore TED's vast video library at TED.com.

The TEDx platform is a great way to share your innovative ideas with the world. The most memorable talks take time and commitment to sharpen, and we want to help you deliver the best talk possible. By filling out this application, you agree that if you are chosen as a speaker, you will work with our speaker coaches, attend at least two rehearsals, if requested (for those of you who are not local, rehearsals can be accomplished via webinar), arrive at least 1 hour prior to the start of the event,  and to be present for the duration of the event on January 25, 2020.

Next steps: All applications must be received by midnight on November 23, 2019.  After you fill out and submit this application, it will be submitted to the selection committee. You will be notified through the contact information you provide below after November 23rd if your application has been accepted into preliminary consideration.  Final notice will be made to accepted speakers by December 14th.  Due to the volume of interest in these events, if you have not heard from us by December 21st, your submission was not accepted for this year's event.  But please try again with us next year as this will be an annual event in Andrews, SC.  

Salute to "the change-makers"!  We can't wait to see all the wonderful places we go as we "Manifest Destiny."

*Only one entry per person will be accepted. Incomplete submissions will not be considered.  An answer is required to all fields.  Incomplete submissions will not be considered.  TEDxAndrews speakers are not paid to speak.