Global phenomenon TED set to roll bandwagon into Tyneside

Jul 30 2009 by Andrew Mernin, The Journal

IT'S journey has taken it from the Californian sunshine through the historic splendour of Oxford and now into the heart of Tyneside.

Last week Prime Minister Gordon Brown joined Al Gore, Bill Gates and Bono in the roll call of figureheads who addressed the world-renowned TED conference.

The event, which stands for the broad topics of Technology, Entertainment and Design, has grown into a global phenomenon since its inception in 1984 and aims to bring together the world’s most fascinating thinkers and doers to give the talk of their life in just 18 minutes.

Last week’s event took place in Oxford – an indication of the growing global appeal of the California-based conference.

And now the TED bandwagon is heading to Tyneside, albeit it on a smaller scale than its flagship four-day events in the US and Oxford, which are graced by the world’s leading thinkers, politicians and even movie stars and are followed avidly online around the world by people who want to tap into their thoughts.

The not-for-profit organisers of TED have created TEDx – a programme of local, self-organised events which will bring people together to share a TED-like experience.

It may be small but it could be the start of something much bigger, according to a digital industry expert who believes TEDx could do a lot to help the North East in its ongoing transformation into a knowledge-based economy.