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TEDx Brussels: The Groundrules

October 23rd, 2009
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*Edit 23/11*: TEDx Brussels is over, I’ve posted my findings in the following post: TEDx Brussels – My Box Is On Fire. Oh, and in case you got here by a Google Redirect, the TEDx Brussels website is currently offline!

Last week I received confirmation I could go to TEDx Brussels, the local spinoff of popular TED. Today, I received the “code” to which we should behave that day, and I’m looking forward to it!

DRESS CODE
The uniform of TEDx is a smile; an optimistic attitude, (TED is called DAVOS for optimists!). There are no suits and ties at TEDx, even if the venue is the European Parliament. It is not the spirit of TED.
LAPTOPS
Leave your laptops at home.  It is a nuisance in the parliament.  Security will ask you to check it in and you will have to fill in forms with serial numbers.  Painful.  Avoid it.
PHONES
Telephone.  Let’s all make this promise: no cell phones ringing during the performances and talks.  You will be reminded to switch off your phones before you enter.  It is very annoying for speakers and for the audience.  Never have I heard any cell phone during any of the TED events.  Let’s not do it in Brussels either.
CAMERA AND PICTURES
Pictures and video during the event are strictly forbidden.  You can shoot outside the main hall during the generous breaks.
THE MAGIC OF TED AND TEDx
As TEDsters, it is customary at TED events (and by extension at TEDx events) that you should meet as many people who attend.  Do not leave anyone standing alone.  Go up to him/her and get acquainted.  This is some of the magic of the TED concept: you HAVE to meet people, it is not something you CAN do, you MUST. You can fill in  your TEDster profile @ www.ted.com  This is where other people will find you.
RESPECT THE SPEAKER
During the TEDx event you are expected to stay through the whole event.  Do not walk out, do not leave.  It is too mind-blowing an experience to miss this and the speakers are from all over the world and get precisely 18 minutes to talk to you.  Respect this.  Give them your full attention.  It is supposed to be the talk of their lives.
18-12-60-100
Every speaker can only talk 18 minutes.  A series of talks will not be more than 100 minutes.  Every break will be 60 minutes.  The whole event will take 12 hours (nine to nine), breaks, lunches, receptions included.
Thank you again and see you at TEDx,

DRESS CODE
The uniform of TEDx is a smile; an optimistic attitude, (TED is called DAVOS for optimists!). There are no suits and ties at TEDx, even if the venue is the European Parliament. It is not the spirit of TED.

LAPTOPS
Leave your laptops at home.  It is a nuisance in the parliament.  Security will ask you to check it in and you will have to fill in forms with serial numbers.  Painful.  Avoid it.

PHONES
Telephone.  Let’s all make this promise: no cell phones ringing during the performances and talks.  You will be reminded to switch off your phones before you enter.  It is very annoying for speakers and for the audience.  Never have I heard any cell phone during any of the TED events.  Let’s not do it in Brussels either.

CAMERA AND PICTURES
Pictures and video during the event are strictly forbidden.  You can shoot outside the main hall during the generous breaks.

THE MAGIC OF TED AND TEDx
As TEDsters, it is customary at TED events (and by extension at TEDx events) that you should meet as many people who attend.  Do not leave anyone standing alone.  Go up to him/her and get acquainted.  This is some of the magic of the TED concept: you HAVE to meet people, it is not something you CAN do, you MUST. You can fill in  your TEDster profile @ www.ted.com  This is where other people will find you.

RESPECT THE SPEAKER
During the TEDx event you are expected to stay through the whole event.  Do not walk out, do not leave.  It is too mind-blowing an experience to miss this and the speakers are from all over the world and get precisely 18 minutes to talk to you.  Respect this.  Give them your full attention.  It is supposed to be the talk of their lives.

18-12-60-100
Every speaker can only talk 18 minutes.  A series of talks will not be more than 100 minutes.  Every break will be 60 minutes.  The whole event will take 12 hours (nine to nine), breaks, lunches, receptions included.

Bring it on!

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Matti Personal ,

  1. Nico
    November 16th, 2009 at 21:34 | #1
    Reply | Quote

    Hoe is TEDx nu afgelopen? De moeite? Wat is er je het best bijgebleven?

  2. Matti
    November 18th, 2009 at 23:32 | #2
    Reply | Quote

    @Nico; is volgende maandag pas, maar ik heb hoge verwachtingen :)

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