TEDxNavesink IDENTITY is quickly approaching, and if you haven’t gotten your tickets yet, what are you waiting for?
Seriously, this is one of the can’t-miss events every year in Monmouth County. Don’t believe us? Well, it’s consistently one of the highest-rated TEDx conferences in the region—and it’s one of the largest. And the fact that it’s been going on for five years says something.
This year, the event will be at the Asbury Park Boardwalk on Saturday, May 20. So why should you come to the event? We’ve got 17 irresistible reasons for you.
- Because You Love TED Talks
Admit it: you’re addicted to watching TED Talk videos. You always find them fascinating because they expand you’re thinking. You share them with your friends, and discuss what you learned in random conversations. Now imagine watching the talks in-person instead of on your smartphone. Way cooler.
- You Want a Sense of Community
A local TEDx conference isn’t just about hearing ideas worth spreading from interesting speakers, it’s about discussing those ideas with your neighbors and getting inspired to impact your community. You’ll be around hundreds of other people with similar interests. You’ll never know who you’ll meet and who you can partner with on a project.
- Re-Discover Asbury Park
Haven’t been to Asbury Park in a while? This crown jewel of the Jersey Shore has had a complete makeover. From new restaurants and hotels to bars and breweries, Asbury is once again a happening city by the sea. Learn more about the reinvention from Gary Mottola’s talk at last year’s TEDxNavesink Makers event.
- Start Summer Early
It’s been a long winter, and you’re ready to get the summer started. Why wait til Memorial Day weekend? Get your summer started early with a day on the boardwalk while listening to some fascinating talks.
- Discover New Ideas About Identity
Identity is a broad and fascinating concept that’s being talked a lot about these days. Well, we have 27 talks exploring the topic from all angles—technology, art, music, gender, language, psychology, race, science, education and more.
- Learn Why a High GPA is Over-rated
Nothing against the 4.0 students bound for Princeton, Harvard or Stanford, but a couple of our speakers have some hope for those students who don’t make the grade. Eric Burdge? He primarily took remedial classes but ended being a master wood craftsman with a successful business. Roy LaManna? He was C-student who started multiple million-dollar companies. Learn the key to their success.
- Get a Glimpse of Some Local, Talented Teens
One’s an award-winning speaker who pens thought-provoking poems on social issues. The other plays four instruments and leads a band that’s a favorite at Asbury Park venues. Check out winners from our Open Mic competition, 14-year-old poet Alexandra Lewis of Tinton Falls and 17-year-old singer/songwriter Avery Rose Puryear of Fair Haven.
- Find Out the Mystery Stage Design
If you attended TEDxNavesink Makers, you know stage director Matt Leddin has an imaginative stage design. But it’s not just something to admire. The audience helps design it. Come to see what Matt and his team of students from Rumson-Fair Haven High School will come up with this time and how you’ll be involved. (Check out this video of Matt’s design for the Makers stage.)
- Find Out What Former Governor Jim McGreevey’s Been Up To
You probably haven’t heard much from Jim McGreevey since he resigned from office in 2004 and came out as a gay American. Though he hasn’t been in the public eye, Jim has been doing plenty of great work helping ex-cons reform their lives. Come hear his story.
- Hear Some Awesome Music
Asbury Park has a thriving music scene. From the Stone Pony to the Wonder Bar to Asbury Lanes to the Paramount Theatre, great bands rock stages throughout the city. We’ll have some local favorites in the house for your listening pleasure.
- Get Some Major League Pressure Tips
Well, he won’t teach you how to throw a curveball, but he will teach you what it means to perform under pressure. Former Mets and Oakland A’s pitching coach Rick Peterson will give a fascinating talk titled Crunch Time. Whether you’re a Mets fan, Yankees fan or non-fan, you’ll get something from it.
- Get Free From Polarizing Conversations
Can’t stand to turn on the news or check out social media these days with all the finger-pointing and polarizing talking points? Come sit with some open-minded people and discuss ideas in a civilized setting.
- Learn Where Technology is Taking Us
We live in a tech-driven world with new disruptive technologies changing how we live, work, and play. Whether it’s augmented reality or artificial intelligence, there are many questions about how technology is shaping our lives. Leading innovators like David Orban and John Werner will discuss how technology is changing our identity.
- Rub Shoulders with Thought Leaders
When you watch TED talks online, the conversation ends when the video ends. At TEDxNavesink, you continue the conversation with the speakers themselves. You can have lunch with the speakers and ask questions, or rub shoulders with them around the venue to dig deeper into their ideas.
- Find Out What It Takes to Put on a TEDx Event
We have hundreds of organizers, volunteers, sponsors, students and businesses that put on the event—one of the largest TEDx conferences on the East Coast. We’ll be walking around in TEDx IDENTITY t-shirts, ready to share our experience and let you know how you can get involved.
- Come to Party
Don’t rush home after the all-day event. Afterwards we have a cocktail party to keep the conversation going. So have some drinks and food and get to know the TEDxNavesink community better.
- Get Inspired By Ideas Worth Spreading
TED Talks are about ideas worth spreading, and we’re sure you’ll get plenty of those at the event. But it’s more than what you experience at the all-day event; it’s what you take with you. We know you’ll leave inspired to think bigger and connect more with your unique identity.
So there you have it. Plenty of reasons to join us at IDENTITY. Come connect with the community and be a part of the conversation. Get your tickets today.