Apply to attend TEDxWaterloo 2013

Apply to Attend TEDxWaterloo 2013: chasingHOME is now closed!

Thank you for your interest in attending TEDxWaterloo 2013: chasingHOME. We appreciate you taking the time to fill out your application.

Your Acceptance email was sent to you on February 14. Please follow the instructions included in that email, it will take you to the Centre in the Square ticket purchasing page.

YOU MUST PURCHASE YOUR TICKET BY MARCH 4 (11:59 pm)

All applications are viewed anonymously. Identifying information is stripped from the applications and the review team reads ONLY your answers to the questions. It’s a pretty laid back process – we just want to know why you want to be part of TEDxWaterloo and what your interests are.

IMPORTANT: Upon accepting the invitation, you will be prompted to confirm your attendance and purchase a ticket for the main event and after party. Scholarship tickets will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Due to the large number of delegate applications we receive each year, we will not be able to accommodate all applicants.

If you missed out on this year’s application you can still watch our livestream coverage of the day (the link to this will be announced in mid-March.

Waiting List

There will also be a waiting list created in the event that applicants are not able to attend.

Why does TEDxWaterloo have an application process to attend?

TEDxWaterloo is bound by a license which permits us to use the TEDx brand. TEDxWaterloo is an independent event, licensed by but not run by TED. TEDxWaterloo is entirely volunteer-run and our team devotes literally months of their lives to this, purely out of passion to create something for the community. It is truly a labour of love, and we have received tremendous support in our effort from individuals, organizations and businesses around the region. There are many guidelines as well as recommendations that TED provides to organizers to help create a TED-like experience at TEDx events. Among these, TED encourages prospective TEDx attendees to fill out applications forms in order to showcase their commitment to attending the event.

Like our curated speaker program, our participants (audience) are also selected based on a process that takes into account only the answers provided to the questions asked on the application form. It is important to note that our team is not tasked with evaluating individuals, but their applications. We take the time to review all of the applications and offer people admission based primarily on their enthusiasm and the care that they took in filling out the five questions on the form. Without any more information than what is provided, this is not a review of people’s background, achievements, or stature in the community. Rather it is a measure of desire to attend and engage, as best we can determine from their answers to these simple questions. What is most important is that there is a wide continuum of experience and engagement that we look for - some people will have more, a lot will have less: but it is a "spark" we are seeking from people who are interested, not a list of accomplishments or talents. You don't need to have seen every TED talk or attended any other TEDx events, you may have never heard of our speakers or spent the last year just figuring out how to make ends meet or dodging your homework - or all of the above - if you would like to join us and bring your energy and passion to this event, please fill out the application.

The questions we ask are:

1) How do you spend your day?
2) How you are involved in your community.
3) What do you hope to get from the 2013 TEDxWaterloo event?
4) What else would you like to share with us?
5) If possible, list at least one website that will help us understand you better (such as your blog, your company's website, LinkedIn profile, Tumblr, your Flickr account, writing, research papers, C.V., films and book )

Did you receive an invite?

After the selection process is complete, by mid February 2013, we invite via email, those applicants that were selected for participation. Upon accepting the invitation (via a link), they will be able to purchase a single ticket for the day/evening event ($55), also via an online link that will take you to the online ticketing centre at Centre in the Square. This ticket includes all sessions and two catered meals. It is not transferable. NOTE: Keep a copy of your ticket as you will be asked to show it at registration. Also, we ask you bring ID that shows your name.

Ticket fee

We do not turn away participants who cannot pay the full fee. We have a "scholarship" fee for those people unable to pay the full amount. More information on this will be included in any invitation sent. Alternately, if you would like to make a donation in addition to your ticket fee, you can help other individuals attend TEDxWaterloo who may not be able to afford the full ticket fee. Each year, generous members of our community gladly participate in this "donate a ticket". This option will be be available on the Purchase Ticket form for accepted individuals.

Didn’t get an invite? There is a waiting list...and livestreaming!

We are sorry we are unable to accommodate everyone who wants to attend TEDxWaterloo 2013. We will be offering remote viewing parties around the region and livestreaming the event. There is also an Accepted Waiting List, that you can be placed on, in the event that some people change their minds about attending.

Apply to attend TEDxWaterloo 2013