BY Janet Slack

There may be as many reasons for wanting to be a TEDxTryon speaker as there are applicants, but Beth Brand of Saluda, the TEDxTryon speaker selection coordinator, says, “There was only one reason to apply – because you have an idea worth spreading. And ideas worth spreading tend to arise from a passion in a person’s life.”

It’s the combination of living a passion and finding an idea that you know can help others that turns people into potential TEDx speakers. Not everyone has been a speaker before – sometimes TEDx is the vehicle that helps someone share their story for the first time.

Miriam Hughes of Hendersonville, for example, is a first time potential speaker and an artist. She applied to TEDxTryon because she believes that a part of “living the creative life” is finding and sharing new ideas.

Hughes says, “I’m finding courage by focusing on the importance of my idea and the fact that others have confidence in me.” Her big idea is using an artistic tool to be more observant in the world and be more spiritual.

The ideas of TEDx speakers come from many places, according to Brand. Some are from a cause the speaker believes in, others are from a personal experience that has turned on a lightbulb, some are practical applications of scientific research, and others arise from the wisdom gained in life’s lessons.

Our Foothills region is filled with fascinating people with marvelous ideas, as is evidenced by the tremendous response to the call for speakers. The 10 final speakers for TEDxTryon 2015 are not yet selected, but when they are, all will have “ideas worth spreading.”

TED is a platform for ideas worth spreading. Started in 1984 as a conference where technology, entertainment and design converged, TED today shares ideas from a broad spectrum — from science to business to global issues — in more than 100 languages. Meanwhile, independent TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. TEDxTryon is a locally organized event and is a special project of the Arts and Education committee of Tryon Fine Arts Center. For information visit TEDxTryon.com or call TFAC at 828-859-8322.

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