Speaker selection for TEDxTryon 2016 is coming to a close. After putting out a call for speakers several months ago, TEDxTryon has received a number of high–quality applicants to share their “idea worth spreading.” Audience members can expect to hear those new and compelling ideas from mostly local speakers on topics of particular interest to our area.

The final slate of speakers will be notified in early June of their selection to be on stage Sept. 10 at Tryon Fine Arts Center.

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. Independently licensed TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. TEDxTryon is a locally organized event and is especially supported by the Arts and Education committee of Tryon Fine Arts Center.

The quality and quantity of speaker applicants was simply astounding, reflecting the passion for their ideas and the ever-extending reach of TEDxTryon. Potential speakers each submitted their idea in writing for the first round of selection. The selection team narrowed down the list to about 30 finalists, who were asked to submit a video for the final round of selection.

“We are looking for that unique combination of a new idea or a new twist on an existing idea, coupled with a speaker who can share his or her passion effectively,” said Beth Brand, who is coordinating speaker selection. Several themes have emerged this year, including topics on the environment, self-improvement and the power of local volunteers.

Once the final slate of speakers is determined and notified, the work of refining, preparing and practicing for the big day will begin for the 12-14 speakers.

“TEDxTryon is committed to delivering an experience for our audience that is on par with TEDx conferences hosted by much larger cities around the world,” says Arlene Cassidy, this year’s organizer. “We realized in 2015 that preparing a good TEDx speech requires speakers to prepare much more than for a typical speech. As a result, we have recruited some of the area’s best professional coaches as well as previous TEDxTryon speakers to volunteer to prepare these speakers to be at their very best on the day of the event.”

At the event in 2015, the audience was treated to an exceptional line up of speakers, each of whom were well-practiced and ready to share their idea with passion and clarity.

“We asked every speaker to consider their talk a gift to the audience, to share something that the audience would care about and find useful,” said Donna Donnelly, who will be coaching, and coordinates the coaching and practice for the speakers again in 2016.

TEDxTryon will publicly announce the list of speakers and ideas in June. A limited number of tickets for the Sept. 10 event will be sold. Look for information in the coming months on how to buy ticket.