Theme: Widening Circles

Event Description
TEDxIdahoFalls: Widening Circles promises to be thought-provoking event for our community. In the spirit of TED's mantra of "Ideas Worth Spreading," we've put together TEDxIdahoFalls for our community to share a TED-like experience. This is a locally organized event where live speakers and TEDtalk videos combine to spark deep discussion and connection.

This year our attendance restriction has been lifted, so we're expecting our audience to be bigger than ever. The main event is our 4-hour conference where 12 speakers will share insightful ideas on a variety of topics. The only common thread will be that they invite the mind to expand to wider circles and connect our community in brilliant ways.

In addition to the main event, this year we've added options for a limited number of participants to take part in what we're calling "TEDucation Tours." These immersive experiences promise to give attendees opportunities to see outside their normal everyday interactions into the worlds of art, industry, and technology. (If tickets to these experiences are not available, it's because capacity has been filled).

Also, in keeping with our desire to catapult the ideas shared in this event into our community and connect people of varying backgrounds and disciplines, we're also organizing a post-event dine-around, where attendees will be coordinated into groups of 8 at reserved tables in restaurants in our area (dinner is self-hosted). Our hope is to introduce new friends and allow the opportunity to converse on the heels of an inspiring evening - to widen circles.

Colonial Theatre
498 A Street
Idaho Falls, Idaho, 83402
United States

Alan Barber

Scientist, software engineer, and entrepreneur

Part scientist, part software engineer, Alan's research and entrepreneurial experience melds big data and biotechnology.

Ann Washburn

Body Language Expert

How we hold our body both demonstrates and determines who we are and our level of success. What are you telling people about yourself? Or worse, what are you telling your self about yourself?

Cameron C. Taylor

Author, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist

Cameron C. Taylor is a best-selling author, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. He is a founder of The Glorious Cause of America Institute and serves on its board of directors. Cameron is a recipient of the Circle of Honor Award for being an "exceptional example of honor, integrity, and commitment."

Garth Smelser

Forest Supervisor, Caribou-Targhee National Forest

Garth is the Forest Supervisor for Caribou-Targhee National Forest and a passionate friend of nature. He's spent the better part of his life encouraging people to make nature a greater part of their life.

Jacob DeLaRosa

Inventor, Innovator, Coach, Heart Surgeon

Dr. Jacob DeLaRosa is the Chief of Cardiac Surgery at Portneuf Medical Center. His approach to patient treatment comes from his treatment as a patient.

L.J. Krumenacker

Doctoral candidate at Montana State University

L.J. is the kid who wanted to be a paleontologist and then actually became one. He's a doctoral candidate at the University of Montana, and an Idaho Dinosaur enthusiast.

Marjanna Hulet

Founder, Pocatello Community Charter School

Marjanna Hulet founded the Pocatello Community Charter School - not because she wanted to, but because she had to for the sake of her son.

Mashaal Hijazi

KISU FM Radio Host and Student at Idaho State University

As the child of Pakistani immigrants to a small city in Idaho, Mashaal has had a front row seat to society's rush to judgment. She is a KISU FM Radio Host and Student at Idaho State University.

Obert Skye

Author

Obert Skye is the author of the Leven Thumps book series, among other interesting, well-revised, published works.

Robert Podgorney

Director, Snake River Geothermal Consortium

Dr. Robert Podgorney is the Director of the Snake River Geothermal Consortium, and an affiliate faculty member at the Center for Advanced Energy Studes (CAES). His research interests generally center on water and energy related issues, focusing on experimental and numerical investigations of fluid flow in porous media, fractures and fracture networks, as well as the development of numerical simulation tools for describing these systems. His experience spans from field-based activities, such as well drilling and monitoring, to regional scale modeling and resource management, for both energy and environmental resources.

Roger Plothow

Journalist

Roger is a 30+ year veteran of the changing news industry. He's seen it go from journalism to something else.

Valerie Hall

Certified Professional Midwife

Valerie is a Certified Nurse Midwife who has used a model of assistance to help women give birth hundreds of times. She believes that same model can also help people bring forward other miracles.