My Experiences Attending a Conference Organized by TED HQ at TEDNext

By: Bill Wong, OTD, OTR/L

Intro

Ever since my dad passed away earlier in the year in 2024, I am trying hard to live my life to its fullest. So, I created a new bucket list item in his memory- attending a conference organized by TED headquarters. Before 2024, I applied to attend another conference organized by TED headquarters for April 2022 in New York City, which was TEDFest. This would have been an event where I would be attending with TEDx organizers across the globe for a day of organizers workshop before watching the livestream of TED conference simultaneously with them in New York. Unfortunately, because COVID was still considered a pandemic, TED headquarters cancelled TEDfest in January 2022. Therefore, TEDNext in Atlanta in October 2024 became my first official experience with a conference organized by TED headquarters.

My Journey Into Organizing TEDx Events

Back in 2015, I delivered my first TEDx talk at TEDxGrandForks in 2015. That talk was a crucial big break to my career. Then, in 2017, I delivered my second talk at TEDxYouth@AlamitosBay. Due to the timing of my talk at second TEDx talk was just before AOTA conference that year, I was asked by AOTA conference attendees on possible secrets to get invited to speak at TEDx events. Later that year, a beloved teacher from my high school passed away. That was when I set my mind to try my hand at organizing a TEDx event in April 2018.

Although I was in charge of a TEDxAlmansorPark event in 2019, I wasn’t serious about organizing TEDx events until COVID was declared as a pandemic in 2020. Within the first 6 months, I was able to attend remote TEDx events from various teams across the globe. I was fascinated by how quickly these remote events evolved within 6 months. In September 2020, I did a SWOT analysis on myself as a TEDx event licensee. I felt that my passion to organize TEDx events was still strong, but I did not put myself in the best position to succeed. So, I started over in November 2020 with a TEDxWomen event through my university. I realized I still got what it takes to be a good TEDx event licensee.

In 2021, I decided that I would instead focus on TEDxWomen, TEDxLive, and TEDxCountdown formats because I am aware that a backup plan is critical when one is running TEDx events with extremely limited resources. Meanwhile, to counter my team’s lack of manpower, I began to attend others’ TEDx events with more intention by being aware of the sociopolitical issues they feature. I also developed a vigorous speaking screening process even though I decided to leave my social media open for potential speakers to approach me. Over time, my confidence grew and I felt a strong sense of belonging even though I feel that I am a third culture individual in a space that few health professionals have tried.

My Decision to Attend TEDNext

Before signing up for TEDNext, I am aware that TED is making major strides in sparking community discussions on climate change and sustainability through its launch of TEDCountdown in 2020. I am also aware that TEDx events around me in Los Angeles also have featured talks on the subject regularly. When TED provided opportunities for TEDx event licensees and team members to apply in March 2024, I initially gulped at the price point and the timing of things. But, I rationalized myself to go because I also knew the price point was reasonable in TED standards. So, I decided to modify my return trip from 1st OT Europe Congress to fit TEDNext to my schedule.

Summary of My Experiences at TEDNext

Day 0 (October 20)- Welcome drinks with other TEDx event licensees. I only had time to take a quick shower and dress up before I headed over to the venue. It was a 2 hour event where I got to meet TEDx licensees and team members who arrived early.

Day 1 (October 21)- I attended a series of workshops for TEDx organizers from 9 am to 3 pm. Then, I attended a reception also exclusively for TEDx licensees and team members later on in the evening. (Below is a group photo of TED HQ staff and almost 200 TEDx organizers from 40 countries.)

Days 2-4 (October 22-24)- I attended 2 sessions each day. In between, there were breakout sessions that attendees choose to attend on sociopolitical topics such as JEDI, climate change and sustainability, AI, democracy, and leadership. After the conclusion of day 2’s regularly scheduled activities, attendees could choose dinners based on their interests in 1 of the 5 aforementioned sociopolitical areas across different locations in Atlanta. After the conclusion of day 3’s regularly scheduled activities, attendees were all invited to a celebration party at Pullman Yards, which was also the event’s main venue. After the conclusion of day 4’s regularly scheduled activities, attendees can choose to grab lunch before going their separate ways.

When I signed up for potentially breakout sessions to attend in early October 2024, I was blown away by the potential offerings. However, because I also wanted to be in tune of all the sociopolitical discussions that were happening, I decided to diversify on the areas of the breakout sessions I ended up attending. 

As for the event experience itself, the ebb and flow of the event allowed me to have a balance of time to learn, reflect, share/exchange ideas, and network. I say that because the discovery sessions allowed more intimate conversations and sharing/exchanging of ideas while discussing the featured sociopolitical area more in depth. Meanwhile, there also was significantly more simultaneous networking while attendees were waiting to get food from food trucks, where there were many vegan and vegetarian options.

I ended up participating in 2 breakout sessions on climate change and sustainability during the event. One was called “Sustain” at the Next Stage on day 1, the other was called “Outsmart the Climate Crisis”. For the Sustain session, it was led by Manoush Zomorodi, host of NPR’s TED Radio Hour. Manoush interviewed Slutty Vegan founder, Pinky Cole, and Goodr’s founder and CEO, Jasmine Crowe-Houston. The three of them had a wonderful discussion about food and sustainability. For the Outsmart the Climate Crisis session, it was led by TEDWomen’s founder, Pat Mitchell, and Project Dandelion Executive director, Ronda Carnegie. The session consisted of small group discussions amongst attendees to develop solutions for the climate crisis. 

During the Outsmart the Climate Crisis session, I managed to connect with 2 powerful movers and shakers in the climate change world- Marla Blow, COO of Skoll Foundation, and Maya Penn from Maya’s Ideas. For those of you who don’t know, Skoll Foundation has emerged as a power player in the climate change and sustainability space and is one of the most powerful private foundations in the world. Skoll Foundation is also a major donor for the TEDNext event. She was also featured on Forbes’ 30 under 30 list. Meanwhile, Maya Penn is a power player in the sustainable clothing space. I can’t believe she is only 24!

I got a chance to interact with Maya Penn a bit when she asked me to do a short segment on what I think the world would be like if climate change and sustainability issue would be completely resolved. Naturally, as a home health occupational therapist, I shared about less wastage of adaptive equipment. After I did a recording for Maya Penn, she told me that my insights were valid, but not too expected because of the demographics of attendees attending the TEDNext conference. I also introduced what we do at OTEA to her. So, she was thankful for bringing both to her attention and she has expressed interest to speak to us in the future.

I also got a chance to interact with Mayla Blow because I sat at the same table as her for the breakout session. I also mentioned to her about what we do at OTEA. I felt it is important to let her know about us because she could be a good connection for OTEA in case we needed additional support for our activities.

As for talks related to climate change and sustainability, the talk I would advise OTEA members to pay attention to is Joon Silverstein’s talk on her company, Coachtopia. This talk is on sustainability of luxury fashion for the Coach brand. There was also a talk by Franziska Trautmann, co-founder and CEO of Glass Half Full. Franziska’s talk was about her journey in converting millions of pounds of glass into sand that can be used for coastal restoration, disaster relief, construction, etc.

On a tangent note, I made a comment at day 1’s breakout session at the Next Stage on AI and workplace. I shared my insights after the panelists shared about the future of AI in the workplace. I ended up having at least half a dozen attendees who heard my comment and shared their thoughts of it during the event! This is power of speaking up, right?

Conclusion

I came to the TEDNext conference with an open mind. As an experienced TEDx organizer and TEDx events attendee, I knew I must come with an attitude of doing things bigger than myself. I ended up making many unexpected new friends across the globe. I also came to appreciate how TED production worked. Therefore, I will truly make a return trip next year and attend more discovery sessions focusing on climate change and AI.

For the greater OT profession to get out of attending a conference like TEDNext, I think it is important for OTP’s to come prepared to share ideas to advocate for occupational justice and speak out against occupational deprivation and occupational injustice. It is also important for OTP’s to think about being great ambassadors for the OT profession while possibly interacting with movers and shakers from various walks of life.