TEDxLehighRiverSalon

TEDxLehighRiver will present a Salon of three compelling TED presentations on Mon., May 4, starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Levitt Pavillion at SteelStacks in Bethlehem.

Free and open to the public, the presentations feature local professionals who have transformational ideas worth spreading, including:

Robert M. Gordon, Psychologist -- The Power of the Apology -- There are three parts of a meaningful, heartfelt apology -- and most people don't get more than one right.

Katy Worrilow, Founder and CEO, LifeAire Systems, LLC -- Noissap -- From disappointment and devastation comes great things.

Jon Lunger, Director of Marketing for ArtsQuest -- How a shared vision turned a brownfield into a home for the arts and spurred a region's renaissance.

Gordon and Worrilow's presentations were among the most popular at TEDxLehighRiver's second annual TEDx event last September at Allentown's Miller Symphony Hall. Lunger's presentation will convey the powerful story of the Lehigh Valley's revitalization, from a struggling industrial area, to one of the most vibrant and fastest growing regions in the East.

"The salon is a perfect way for TED fans -- and potential fans -- to see live presentations in a more relaxed environment. We can't think of a more stimulating setting than Levitt Pavilion on the SteelStacks campus to embrace the TED phenomenon," said David Willard, chair of the TEDxLehighRiver committee. "With the sun setting and the stacks illuminating as the presentations start, guests will hear ideas that will challenge the way they think about and see the world. We can't think of a better way to start the week."

Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs for their comfort on the grassy seating area in front of the Levitt stage. Discussion and interaction with the presenters before and after the event are encouraged to enhance the salon experience.

In the case of inclement weather, the presentations will be moved into one of the theaters in ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks.

The 7:30 p.m. salon will be preceded by a 6:00 p.m. Friendraiser at PBS39, where previous TEDxLehighRiver speakers, supporters, patrons and other interested individuals will gather with committee members to generate topic and speaker ideas. The Friendraiser is in anticipation of the third annual TEDxLehighRiver event, September 19 at Miller Symphony Hall in Allentown, Pa.

A community-based volunteer initiative, the TEDxLehighRiver Salon is an independently organized TED event that brings together a diverse group of speakers and audience members. These individuals participate in a program of engaging and thought-provoking presentations and conversation.

TEDxLehighRiver is modeled after hundreds of other TEDx events worldwide. TED is a nonprofit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks of 18 minutes or less. TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics -- from science and business, to global issues and personal development -- in more than 100 languages. More than 1,800 TED presentations logging hundreds of millions of views are available at ted.com.

For more information about the May 4 salon, visit https://www.facebook.com/TEDxLehighRiver. All attendees of the Friendraiser must register at https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eavhlooe12a717e4&oseq=&c=&ch. For questions, please call Jessie Heimann, PBS39 Marketing Director, at (610) 984-8159.