SYDNEY – TEDxSydney, Australia’s leading ideas forum, has today announced an additional seven speakers and a performer to the lineup who will take to the stage this November as the TEDxSydney flagship event moves online.
With 2020 marking TEDxSydney’s 11th year, it will also mark its first year engaging a primarily online audience. Across four sessions on Friday 6 November, viewers will witness big ideas across multiple themes from social justice and leadership to technological innovations, the environment and more.
As speakers prepare their talks, our production crews are committed to making sure this is a show that is not to be missed. The event will be happening live, being broadcast from Pix Studios in Alexandria. In all respects, this will be the same format as every TEDxSydney flagship event, with talks, performances, films and on-stage hosts; except in this case, the audience will be watching online, and with some audience members joining the show live on the audience screens.
The online format promises an opportunity to deliver unique and engaging ways for attendees to interact like never before. In between the four main stage sessions will be Discovery Sessions, offering attendees real-time interaction with each other as well as creative ways to engage with ideas, with past and present speakers and partners. These sessions will include online roundtables, ‘Meet the Speaker’ sessions, deep dive workshops that explore big ideas, a chance to learn something new or simply to get active and move your body.
Newly announced speakers to take to the TEDxSydney stage: journalist Damien Cave, Bureau Chief for the New York Times; furniture designer co-founder of grazia&co, Grazia Materia; Montessori teacher, children’s author and school principal, Gavin McCormack; WTA tennis champion Daria “Dasha” Gavrilova, one of Australian tennis’ most popular stars.
Previously announced speakers include public art curator and Deputy Lord Mayor of Sydney, Jess Scully; comedian and isolation cooking sensation, Nat’s What I Reckon; social researcher and best-selling author, Hugh Mackay; Co-Founder of Deadly Connections Community & Justice Services and youth worker for at-risk youth, Keenan Mundine; AI and technology start-up founder and CEO, Jamila Gordon; Rainforest Conservation Scientist at the Australian Institute of Botanical Science, Dr Karen Sommerville; and filmmaker and founder of Australia’s first digital lifestyle platform for women of colour, Sasha Sarago.
Newly announced performers include acclaimed Indigenous vocalist and lead singer with Melbourne rhythm combo, The Putbacks, Emma Donovan; Dog Trumpet, featuring Peter O’Doherty and TEDxSydney 20202 speaker Reg Mombassa; powerhouse vocalist and entertainer, Catherine Alcorn.
Previously announced performers include Grammy nominated trio, Mansionair Doctor and domestic violence survivor, Dr Angela Jay; Atlassian’s work futurist, Dominic Price; iconic musician and artist best known for his work with Australian clothing brand Mambo, Reg Mombassa; and Afghan-Australian journalist and Audible Original author, Mahmood Fazal. They join Yvonne Weldon, Chair of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council who will open the day with the Welcome to Country and performers Bindi Bosses and Mindy Meng Wang.
At its 11th flagship event, TEDxSydney will explore the theme of REAL and how we might shape, challenge or change the way we think or behave. This year’s event will closely observe all the shades of the definition of real, across a diverse range of talks, performances, films, connection, conversations and debate.
Fenella Kernebone, TEDxSydney’s Head of Curation, says: “When we chose the theme of REAL we could not have known how apt it would be considering the impact of the global pandemic. While we can’t get the TEDxSydney community together in person this year, we are looking forward to connecting in new and exciting ways as we move our flagship event online. It’s going to be a vibrant and interactive day across the main stage sessions and in our discovery sessions as we explore big ideas and all that is REAL.”
Returning to TEDxSydney 2020, the Kick Start program from Principal Partner, St.George Bank, will be giving small businesses and entrepreneurs the opportunity to pitch their business ideas on the virtual stage. With only 60 seconds to pitch an idea, participants will have a chance to get their hands on a share of the $100,000 grant to help bring their business ideas to life.
Jane Watts, Chief Customer Engagement Officer, St.George says “Growing a small business or getting your business idea off the ground is no easy feat, especially in a time of economic uncertainty. We’re proud to partner the St.George Kick Start program with TEDxSydney to provide business owners and entrepreneurs with an avenue to source funding for their innovative business ideas. It’s important that we continue to encourage and support Australian innovation in these troubling times.”
- What: TEDxSydney 2020
- Where: Audience viewing online, with our speakers at a venue
- When: Friday 6 November, 9:00AM – 6:00PM
- Price: Registration and price packages here
Head to TEDxSydney.com now to ensure you get a virtual seat at Sydney’s most iconic event celebrating Australian innovation, creativity and ideas.
Tuesday 22 September 2020