In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized (subject to certain rules and regulations).

The Palladium
253 5th Ave N
St. Petersburg, Florida, 33701
United States

Christine Laurenzi

Teacher

Christine Laurenzi is devoted to inspiring the next generation through personalized learning experiences. For nearly a decade, she has worked to challenge education’s status quo.​ As an award winning teacher and educational entrepreneur, she has energized learning by designing opportunities that empower​ students to pursue their individual interests at a high level, while connecting to and helping the community.

David Morris

Technology Journalist

Passionate about the intersection of technology and culture, Dr. David Z. Morris is a researcher with a PhD in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Iowa. As a writer and strategist, David has written about Bitcoin and other technology for Fortune, The Atlantic, Aeon, and Pacific Standard. His academic work has appeared in journals including Technology and Culture and Communication and Critical Cultural Studies, and he has received research awards from the National Communication Association and the Modern Language Association. He is a former research fellow with both the Japan Foundation for the Promotion of Science and the University of South Florida’s Provost’s Fellows program.

Jen and Ray jen and Ray

Musicians

Jen&Ray is an acoustic blues/folk duo based out of Sarasota, Florida. Jen and Ray have been performing together around the Sarasota/Bradenton area for the past few years and travelled to Nashville last year, where they recorded their self-titled, 7-song, all-original EP. They are known for their magnetic harmonies, foot-tappin’ grooves, thoughtful lyrics, and captivating stage chemistry.

Kevin Jans

Entrepreneur

As an entrepreneur, Kevin Jans built his business by serving a micro-niche community. He created a nationally recognized position in the esoteric market of government contracting by understanding and delivering for a highly targeted customer base.

Luisa Padro

Artist

Full-time artist, published writer and speaker, Luisa “LuLu” Padro has accepted the challenge of exploring life’s potential and inspiring others in the direction of their creative joy. She has been featured in Law of Attraction magazine and Law of Attraction Radio and her work has been displayed on billboards and buses around the Tampa Bay Area.

Mary Spio

Engineer and Entrepreneur

Mary Spio is an award winning engineer, author and unstoppable entrepreneur best known for creating and holding patents on the technology used to digitally release feature films over satellite and for demographically targeted distribution of cinema content. The technology was commercialized via Boeing Digital Cinema and Lucas Films. Additionally, Mary is the founder of Next Galaxy Corp, creating the first 4D audio headphones for virtual reality.

Mike Fecht

Yoga Professional

Co-owner of Inner State Yoga in St. Petersburg and YogaforMen.com, 20 year health and fitness industry veteran Mike Fecht took the healing benefits of a yoga and meditation practice to create a new life and purpose after a personal tragedy in 2009. Working with professional athletes of the NFL, NHL, MLB and NBA, as well as the Miami Dolphins team, Mike uses yoga to help men improve athletic performance and even transform their lives.

Shankh and Friends Lahiri

Musicians

Using the rich, traditional musical history of Shankh Lahiri’s cultural upbringing from India, this unique Kirtan & World Fusion band offers authentic taste of Indian Kirtan with a fresh, modern feel of World Fusion Music. As a busy, International touring Tabla Artist, Leader of ‘Wahh World Fusion Band’ and a Founder/Director of ‘Shruti Foundation’, Shankh decided to create this dynamic Musical Group to share his natural devotional Kirtan knowledge and Musicianship from India with the West and perform it in an unparalleled feast of integrative spiritual nourishment and delicious musicality.

Tara Hechlik Newsom

Academic Professor

Committed to strengthening communities thru education and community engagement, Tara works towards creating diverse civic leadership as a Professor at St. Petersburg College. On fire about the principles embodied within the U.S. Constitution and the power of the individual’s unique and personal contribution to civic life, Tara’s career has been spent working with multiple levels of government and within academia. Combined, she now champions the college’s civic engagement efforts.