First off, I’ve spoken with the Managing Director of the the Geva Theatre here in Rochester and he’s familiar with TED and extremely excited about having the Geva be the venue for TEDxRochester. As an innovator themselves, the Geva is no stranger to inspiration. To quote their website, “In its 35 year history, Geva has grown the become New York State’s most attended theatre outside of Manhattan”. The only issue we’ve found is that they’ve got shows on 11/5/09, so it might be a bit tight for them to do TEDxRochester that day, so we’ve moved the date to 11/2/09.
I’ve also been in touch with folks from the University of Rochester’s library. I had originally contacted them in regard to the “Rochester Black Freedom Struggle Oral History Project”. This fascinating project has “recorded and will soon make available online interviews with more than 20 key players from Rochester’s fight against racial discrimination during the 1960s and 1970s”. However, in speaking to them, they have a large number of other projects to discuss and an overview of all of them will be even better!
Finally, just today, Todd Krauss followed up with me on my request to give a talk! Todd is the Research Director for the UofR’s “Nanoscale Materials and Devices” group. The Krauss Group has made amazing discoveries in the field of nanomaterials and their properties. As a science geek, I’m very excited to have Todd’s interest in TEDxRochester!
Finally, and not at all least, my friend, Mike Cmar, is the House Manager for the Geva’s Improv Group and he was the first one to express interest on behalf of his group. They’re interested in putting on a performance to put the “E” in TEDxRochester!
So, from 0 to 30 in a very short time…we’re not up to 60 just yet! My goal had been a minimum of at least 6 speakers/performances that we could intersperse with prerecorded TED talks. But, assuming I can keep everyone’s interest, we’re halfway there already. Six speakers was my minimum though, so if anyone has suggestions, feel free to drop me a comment. I still have requests out to some really amazing people, and can’t wait to update you to tell you they’re interested, too!
I have to be honest, I made the mistake of beginning to put this thing together during the Summer when everyone’s on vacation, so I was starting to get a little discouraged when I wasn’t getting responses. 
But, the Rochester community is an exciting and dynamic one and I just knew a project like TEDx wouldn’t go unnoticed for long!
And now, to find sponsors!
Geva Theatre Center
RACF
RIT
Hey,
I just wanted to say I’m really pumped about this event. I currently help organize the BarCampRochester event every year and I was wondering how we could assist with PR.
I left my e-mail with the comment so please get in touch with me if you need assistance.
Thanks!
-Mike
Wonderful! I’ll drop you an e-mail in a few.
Hello and thank you for bringing TED to Rochester, NY!!
I am one of the co-Founders of Social Media Club – Rochester, NY (SMCR) with over 330 members. I also recently founded SMC Education Connection – Rochester, NY. Both groups focus on social media. The second one focuses on social media discipline / higher education.
I personally would love the opportunity to speak at TED Rochester!
In November, I will be speaking at two conferences, but I am free on the 2nd.
Nov 11 – “Pathways to Entrepreneurship” at MCC.
Nov 12 – “Social Media Today” #SM2day at U of R.
Additionally, I can help “get the word out!” – cheers!
@SusanBeebe on twitter
(585) 750-1949 cell
susan@susanbeebe.com
blog – susanbeebe.com
Speaker suggestions!
Larry Moss, http://www.airigami.com (he’s an amazingly gifted & humerous speaker, he has done a number of large-scale community-based projects)
Luis Martinez, http://www.gettingtherecoach.com would be great to discuss how he helps people to discover what they truly love to do. (check out his video interview on the site with Norma Holland.)
Patrick St. Clair, http://www.stclairphoto-imaging.com/ has been doing some amazing work for NASA and the Parks department I believe lately- truly breathtaking images.
And, if I may, offer myself to speak. As a self-employed mother of 3 young children (and the recent VP of the Board of Child & Family Resources) I am a huge advocate of quality affordable childcare. I could speak to the importance, especially in these difficult economic times, of how making good quality child care & early education opportunities available for young children and their families will reap social and economic benefits for years to come.
Thank you so much for bringing TED to Rochester!!
@Susan & @Kelly: I’ve forwarded your comments to the other organizers, we’ll get back to you in a day or so. While we’ve already got a fairly good roster of speaker so far, we honestly could use a couple more. I especially like the suggestion of Larry Moss. He does some truly amazing work, I’d love to see it up close! Thanks for the suggestions!
Greetings!
My name is Tyler Kellogg, known to most as Tyler DoGood. Last summer I took a trip that changed my life. I lived out of my car and drove from my home in Watertown, NY to Key West, FL doing random acts of kindness along the way. I recently spoke at TEDxGreenville(talk is on youtube) and it was a blast. I am young, I am driven and I have figured out a way to change the world (on a budget). Please email me if you would be at all interested in having me talk at the next TEDxRochester. Come summer 2011 I will be heading west and Rochester is on the list of citys to stop in!
All my Best,
Tyler DoGood Kellogg
Tyler, sorry to post your comment so late, I managed to completely ignore the huge red 1 letting me know there was a comment. If you’re going to be in the area, let us know. TEDxRochester 2010 is scheduled for November 1st, so let’s chat. Drop me an e-mail: tony@tedxrochester.com.