With the theme “Let’s Make Things Beta” TEDxDelft returns to the campus of TU Delft on February 27, 2015. Now in its fourth year, the event centers around speakers who share their inspiring stories and ideas.
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As stated on the TED.com website, “the TEDx program is designed to give communities, organizations and individuals the opportunity to stimulate dialogue through TED-like experiences at the local level. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.”
TEDxDelft became a reality in 2011 as a result of the initiative of chairman, Rob Speekenbrink and some of his colleagues. Speekenbrink, also a TU Delft employee, regularly attended conferences in the past in order to keep learning in his field. “I was most of the time bored with the programs that I had paid lots of money for,” he said. Several years ago he attended TEDxRotterdam and was energized and inspired to try to bring the same thing to Delft.
Luckily, TUD and the municipality of Delft were very supportive of the idea. The event, which is held at the Aula Conference Centre on the TUD Campus, is a collaboration between multiple partners. There are people who volunteer their time and skills, while industry and other partners contribute funds or services.
Speekenbrink said he believes TEDx should fit the city, so the Delft event usually has a technical emphasis. This year’s theme was chosen to remind people that every great concept once had a beta-phase. Organizers of the day-long event hope that attendees will be inspired to take their own ideas and make them a reality. “We at TEDxDelft think that all too often, people don’t pursue their dreams not just because they are afraid of failure, but because they are also afraid of falling short of perfect,” states their website. “Beta doesn’t mean technical or right-brained (though it can) and it doesn’t mean secondary. Simply not perfect, a first draft, the initial concept.”
And in the spirit of innovation, Speekenbrink says, “We are always trying to improve our event.” This year one of the improvements involves shifting the event to start in the afternoon instead of the morning. Speekenbrink explained that means people don’t have to lose a whole day of work in order to attend. In addition, there will be a social event in the evening that they hope encourages a new way for people to interact and share ideas.
Registration is now open with student tickets available for €19 for students. Visit http://www.tedxdelft.nl/ for more information.
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