TEDxSFA accepting proposals for second-annual conference

TEDxSFA logo

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - TEDxSFA is now accepting proposals for its second annual conference to be held Feb. 8, 2014, at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The event's organizers are seeking dynamic and engaging speakers to tell original stories relating to this year's conference theme of "Curiosity". The deadline for proposals is Thursday, Oct. 10. Each participant selected will speak from five to 18 minutes on the topic of their choice related to the theme. The conference is open to anyone.

"Last year, we enjoyed a group of very dynamic speakers from all over the country, and we are hoping to build on that success with our second conference," said Dr. Mark Turner, SFA associate professor of music, who is coordinating the 2014 event. "Presenters may want to talk about how their curiosity led to an important idea or even a discovery that makes a difference in the world around them."

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. Created in the spirit of TED's slogan, "Ideas Worth Spreading," 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 planned and coordinated independently, on a community-by-community basis.

"We know there are a lot of diamonds in the rough at SFA and in the East Texas community and beyond whose curiosity has led to amazing ideas and who are accomplishing great things, but possibly nobody is really aware of what they are doing," said event coordinator, Dr. Wynter Chauvin, the SFA Montgomery Professor of Humane and Environmental Education. "TEDxSFA provides an excellent venue for showcasing the unique perspectives, creativity and curiosity that they have to offer our community, Texas and the world."

The event will be all day, Saturday, Feb. 8, 2014, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center theater on the SFA campus. For more information about the conference, email tedxsfa@gmail.com or visit Facebook: TEDxSFA. Online proposals may be submitted at sfasu.edu/tedxsfa-speakers.