This year’s event takes place on the afternoon of Sunday, June 26th, where we will focus on “the future of Des Moines”. We’re finalizing the remaining speakers, so be sure to add your email address on the home page and we’ll contact you with event updates.

Program

The TEDxDesMoines formal program takes place in the auditorium of the State of Iowa Historical Building. Modeled after the TED Conference, TEDxDesMoines features a fast-paced afternoon of rapid-fire simulation and thought provoking content from local speaker talks, short films, musical performances, and technology demos.

Engaging Intermissions

The formal program is broken into 75 minute segments, each with an intermission to allow for discussion and relationship-building amongst attendees. Our intermissions are held in the State of Iowa Historical Building atrium and will feature local coffee roasters providing caffeine for the day, social activity spaces, local product demos, and brainstorming spaces to translate all of the ideas of the day into action.

Reception

The TEDxDesMoines reception immediately follows the formal program. Taking place on the State of Iowa Historical Building’s rooftop terrace, the reception is a highlight of the event. We provide food, drink, and entertainment to decompress after a day of ideas and creativity. It’s a fully catered, engaging, and vital element of the TEDxDesMoines experience.

TEDxDesMoines 2011 – “The Future of Des Moines”

Check-In                                     12:00pm – 1:00pm
Session 1 – “Inspiration”           1:00pm – 2:15pm
Break*                                             2:15pm – 3:00pm
Session 2 – “Re-Purposing”       3:00pm – 4:15pm
Break*                                               4:15pm – 5:00pm
Session 3 – “Initiative”                 5:00pm – 6:15pm
Reception**                                   6:30pm – 8:00pm

* Breaks will feature complimentary snacks and refreshments from local vendors.

** Reception will feature complimentary dinner, entertainment, and cash bar.

Attendee Details

Date: Sunday, June 26, 2011 from 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CT)

Cost: Your $25 admission covers pretty much everything at TEDxDesMoines. There is no charge for snacks, refreshments, or entertainment. Dinner is provided as well. The only additional costs are for alcohol at the cash bar at dinner (wine, beer, and mixed drinks).

Location: 
State Historical Building
600 East Locust Street
Des Moines, IA 50309

Parking: Metered street parking is available at no charge on Sunday. A free parking ramp is available at the northwest corner of East Grand and Pennsylvania Avenue. 

Entrance: We prefer you enter the building at the doors on East Locust, facing south. You'll spot the TEDxDesMoines sign and the half-circle, covered driveway.

Registration: Event registration is from 12:00pm-1:00pm. Come check-in at the front table and receive your name tag. We will have refreshments, so come at noon and mingle with fellow thought leaders.

Dress Code: The dress code for TEDxDesMoines is a smile and optimistic attitude (to steal a line from our friends at TEDxBrussels). There are no suits and ties at TEDxDesMoines, it is not the spirit of TED. Come in something presentable, but comfortable. Think of it like a dinner with friends.

Food: We recommend having lunch before you come to TEDxDesMoines. We will feature some treats and refreshments from local vendors, but it won't be a meal. Dinner is provided promptly at 6:30pm on the rooftop of the Historical Building (along with a cash bar and DJ). Mars Cafe will be serving artisan espresso and coffee all day, we strongly suggest their weekend brunch for an outstanding meal beforehand. 

Respect the Speaker: During TEDxDesMoines you are expected to stay in the auditorium for the duration of the 75 minute session. Bloggers and those with electronic devices for blogging or tweeting should sit in the rear of the auditorium to show respect for their fellow attendees. 

Sponsors: We would not be able to provide this event if it weren't for our title sponsor, The Greater Des Moines Partnership. In addition, the Department of Cultural Affairs has provided the venue for the day and a host of other sponsors have made this event a reality. Show them some support the next time you are out in the community.

Video: We have a professional camera crew shooting the entire speaker lineup and will edit the talks to be released shortly after the event, online, to freely distribute. Feel free to shoot your own video in the intermissions and dinner. Photography is cool the entire event (but no flash in the auditorium).

Connect: Listening to talks is awesome but getting to know your fellow attendees is even better. If you see someone standing there, strike up a conversation. Find out what other people are passionate about. Ask them what their "idea worth spreading is". We would consider this event a disappointment if you didn't walk away having met at least three new people.