TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profile - Tara Veer

#TEDxRedDeer Speaker Preview: Tara Veer has always been interested in politics; since the tender age of five, in fact!

Her lifelong enthusiasm for community affairs has gained a lot of interest from kids and youth during the recent municipal elections - something most politicians only dream of doing.

With Calgary and Edmonton also boasting leaders 41-years-old and under, the landscape of civic engagement is changing in Alberta. At just 35 years old, her nine years of experience as a City of Red Deer Councillor have put her in a unique position for #PushingBoundaries in municipal politics.

With new energy and enthusiasm, leaders like Mayor Tara Veer are finding an audience for "ideas worth spreading" and TEDxRedDeer is the perfect place for her to share her passion. We look forward to having her share her unique and inspiring story with us November 22nd at City Centre Stage!

Get your tickets - $50 adults / $25 students (with valid ID) at the Black Knight Ticket Centre.
https://tickets.blackknightinn.ca/TheatreManager/1/login?event=576

TEDxRedDeer 2014 - Pushing Boundaries Explained

Post by TEDxRedDeer.

It's just days away!! The third ‪#‎TEDxRedDeer‬ is shaping up to be the best one yet! Here is Nick and Rene to tell you more about the event theme ‪#‎PushingBoundaries‬. Tickets are available now at the Black Knight Ticket Centre - $50 reg. / $25 student (w/ valid ID)

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Entertainer Profile - Donna Durand

An original prairie girl who touches hearts with her unique western folk songs, Donna Durand has had some nice gigs in the past few years including being in a songwriters circle with Ian Tyson, one of her favorite songwriters in the western world. Her debut album, The Road Back made its way into the universe as of June, 2010. The album has received international airplay and Donna has won awards for excelling in performance arts.

Early influences include: listening to songs played on CFCW - country and western radio at Donna's grandparents home in the hamlet Bawlf, Alberta, choir music and in her late teens - Joni Mitchell and Neil Young. The first songwriter Donna was aware of was her mom. She would sit at the piano and come up with funny little songs such as Gasoline Cowboy. Donna has formal education in musical theatre and recreation therapy. She is also a well respected dementia care educator. Bring these three elements together and there is a huge love and respect for words, lyrical storytelling, community building and FUN!

"Donna... has a pure and beautiful voice that evokes prairie skies and prairie life, happy and melancholy." - author Caterina Edwards

"Durand’s music is steadfastly assured within this gleaming album, capturing both the geographic openness and people temperance of our province." - Roots Review

"The Road Back is a 12 song RX of medicine for three generations of roots music fans. Authentic prairie roots sound that captures the heart." -  The Blue Chair

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profile - April Reeves

April Reeves has enjoyed a long-term career in marketing which gave her the opportunity to push the boundaries of companies that were stuck in old belief patterns and realign them successfully for a rapidly changing world. April also has a passion for horses and is an accomplished equine trainer and educator. Through her work and community involvement, she shares personal experiences to inspire others and believes that change can be your greatest ally.

Come and meet April Reeves on November 22 at TEDxRedDeer!

Get your tickets - $50 adults / $25 students (w/ valid ID) - here! https://tickets.blackknightinn.ca/TheatreManager/1/login?event=576

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profile - Allan Baile

Allan Baile is the Microsociety Coordinator for Aspen Heights Elementary School right here in Red Deer. They are currently in their 5th year of MicroSociety; preparing students for the real world.

Allan has a passion for coaching and sport. For the past five years he has coached High School basketball at the Junior Varsity level at Lindsay Thurber Composite High School. Allan has been teaching for over 27 years, 23 of which have been with Red Deer Public School District and 4 in remote communities throughout northern Alberta.

Aspen Heights has come a long way in educating students to become caring, respectful and knowledgeable citizens. Allan believes we need to continue to inspire the leaders of tomorrow by imparting the values of MicroSociety and ensuring long term stability with this unique, and innovative program. We're looking forward to his talk on #pushingboundaries in the #education system. See Allan and the other seven #TEDxRedDeer presenters at the City Centre Stage in downtown Red Deer on November 22nd!

Get your tickets - $50 adults / $25 students (with valid ID) - here! https://tickets.blackknightinn.ca/TheatreManager/1/login?event=576

TEDxRedDeer 2014

TEDxRedDeer 2014

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. 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.

At our October 2011 TEDxRedDeer event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combined to spark deep discussion and connection.

In May 2013, TEDxRedDeer returned to move us from inspiration to action by showing how ideas worth spreading can turn into action worth supporting!

And 2014 marks the 30th Anniversary of the TED Conference with TEDxRedDeer returning in the fall for a celebration like no other!

Photos from TEDxRedDeer are hosted on Flickr - http://bit.ly/1gI8TY3

Videos from TEDxRedDeer are hosted on Youtube - http://bit.ly/1owfBTb

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 25 years ago, TED has grown to support those world-changing ideas with multiple initiatives. The annual TED Conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes. Their talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Al Gore, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Isabel Allende and UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown. The annual TED Conference takes place in Long Beach, California, with simulcast in Palm Springs; TEDGlobal is held each year in Oxford, UK. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TEDTalks are posted daily, and the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as the ability for any TEDTalk to be translated by volunteers worldwide. TED has established the annual TED Prize, where exceptional individuals with a wish to change the world are given the opportunity to put their wishes into action; TEDx, which offers individuals or groups a way to organize independent, TED-like events around the world; and the TEDFellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to become part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

Follow TED on Twitter at twitter.com/TEDTalks, or on Facebook at facebook.com/TED.

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profile - Jason Foui

Jason Foui - aka "Foui" - is best known as the long time afternoon announcer at Red Deer's Rock Station 106.7 The Drive. Among numerous attachments Foui holds to the community of Red Deer he owns and operates Humble Hummus inc. a local food distribution company based primarily out of the Red Deer Saturday Public Market.

Foui also conducts a local podcast "The Death by Foui podcast" where he interviews and chats with individuals from a variety of backgrounds including processors, politicians, artists and authors.

#Radio #RedDeer #RocknRoll #Rawesome Looking forward to the energy that this speaker will bring to downtown Red Deer's City Centre Stage on November 22nd! Tickets are available at the Black Knight Inn Ticket Centre in Red Deer - $50 regular, $25 student (w/ valid ID). #PushingBoundaries

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profile - Robert Saik

Robert Saik, CEO of The Agri-Trend Group of Companies is a Professional Agrologist and a Certified Agricultural Consultant. As founder of The Agri-Trend Group, Robert has been involved in the development of many new business processes and spearheaded several advancements in technology integration in agriculture. Agri-Trend has been nominated one of Canada’s 2012 Top 50 Best Managed Companies and was recognized by Venture Magazine as one of Alberta’s 2013 top 25 Most Innovative Organizations.

Robert is a Director of Westerner Park, 2014-2015 Chairman of Agri-Trade Show, past Director of the Red Deer Chamber of Commerce, and serves on The Red Deer Chamber of Commerce Ag Policy Committee as well as Adviser to The Canadian Management Council, The Farm Progress Show and The Red Deer College.

In July 2014, Robert was appointed by the Premier of the Province of Alberta to the Innovation Council, a think-tank on technology integration and innovation leadership. He is a passion keynote speaker addressing audiences on the importance of modern agriculture. He is also the author of the Amazon bestseller, “The Agriculture Manifesto” - 10 Key Drivers That Will Shape Agriculture in the Next Decade.

We look forward to hearing him talk on November 22nd 2014, downtown at the City Centre Stage (former Uptown Theatre). We hope to see you there - get your tickets at the Black Knight Ticket Centre. #PushingBoundaries in agriculture.

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Entertainer Profile - Kristin Fraser

Join Kristin Fraser as she brings you “Something To Chew On: A Taste of Life Outside the Box” at this year’s #TEDxRedDeer Event!

A former Mechanical Engineer, Kristin took the leap of faith to pursue a passion in holistic nutrition and the culinary arts and left to New York City to become a Natural Foods Chef. Learn how food has changed her life and can change yours too... from traveling around the world to places like Dubai, inspiring change in her own backyard, to life as an entrepreneur. Learn how to make health delicious again by sampling her famous raw vanilla cream cakes. Kristin will be providing a demo and sampling! #PushingBoundaries #Notyourbelly
 
Join Kristin and other local talent to hear how they broke out of their comfort zone and pursued their dreams. See you November 22nd 2014, downtown at City Centre Stage. Ticket information can be found @ www.tedxreddeer.com

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profile - Cabel McElderry

At 15 years old, Cabel McElderry was a skinny kid with crooked teeth and a funny name Cabel, like many kids he struggled with self-esteem and a lack of confidence. Weight training and fitness became his vehicle to overcome these personal challenges and influences a career choice that would change many lives through empowerment and self-improvement.

By 18 he was managing a local gym, by 23 he was considered to be one of Canada’s top amateur bodybuilders. This sparked his personal training career which over the next 15 years he would personally train thousands of people to dramatic physical transformation. He’s eliminated prescription medications, helped individuals avoid surgeries and even had a few people insist he, “saved their lives!”

In 2007 he opened Red Deer’s award winning One-to-1 Fitness, hiring and educating trainers to impact even more local lives and recently opened a new location in Edmonton, Alberta. He’s been the Red Deer Advocate/Life’s longest standing columnist writing on health and fitness for more than 13 years and for the last three, added Personal Fitness Professional Magazine to his career portfolio.

In recent years Cabel was a nominee for “Canada’s Top Trainer” and added to the list of “North America’s Top 100 Fitness Entrepreneurs,” and even produced his first documentary about overcoming physical limitations aptly named “CHANGE the Movie.”

We look forward to seeing Cabel and YOU downtown @ City Centre Stage, November 22nd for a #PushingBoundaries talk provided by Cabel and numerous other local speakers that will peak your interest!

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Entertainer Profile - Shelly Prosko

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Entertainer Profile - Shelly Prosko

Shelly Prosko is a Physical Therapist and a Professional Yoga Therapist, dedicated to bridging the gap between Eastern and Western healthcare philosophies. She believes it is essential in order to achieve optimal health.

Since 1998, Shelly has been integrating yoga into her physical therapy treatments. Currently, Shelly travels across Canada and the United States offering specialty PhysioYoga Therapy workshops, lecturing at Medical College programs, instructing at Yoga Teacher Trainings and actively promoting the integration of medical therapeutic yoga into our current healthcare system. Shelly is committed to her mission of inspiring, educating and empowering people to create health and wellness in their lives

We look forward to her sharing her expertise with us November 22nd at City Centre Stage in Downtown Red Deer! #PushingBoundaries

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profiles - Dr. Cartledge and Michelle Salt

TEDxRedDeer 2014 Speaker Profiles!

Over the next few weeks we're going to introduce you to the eight speakers and three entertainers that will take the stage on November 22. We can't wait to hear their stories at the City Centre Stage in Downtown Red Deer. You can get your tickets NOW at the Black Knight Ticket Centre!

Dr. Dave Cartledge has been a Companion Animal Veterinarian in Toronto, Brooklyn and Edmonton for many years. In his early work Dr. Cartledge did not have many veterinary pain medications, and he often used off-label human medications.

Nowadays, we have effective veterinary pain specific medications and surgical procedures to alleviate pain for our beloved animals. Wanting to find alternative therapies through his work with animals, Dr. Cartledge has many years of experience in #pushingboundaries 

Michelle Salt has always been a strong person but in June, 2011, she faced her most challenging test of strength when she was in a life threatening Motorcycle accident that left her an above knee amputee.

Within 8 months, Michelle got back on her snowboard and in March, 2014, Michelle became the first ever Female Canadian Paralympic Snowboarder.

#PushingBoundaries is something that Michelle does on and off the slopes.

TEDxRedDeer Speakers Announced!

TEDxRedDeer is back in 2014 for its third anniversary - and the 30^th anniversary of the full TED Conference that originated in California!

On November 22, 2014, from 10am to 5pm, a diverse range of speakers, entertainers, and participants will gather at the City Centre Stage in downtown Red Deer to hear eight individuals deliver a TEDx talk on the theme of ‘Pushing Boundaries’. Speakers include:

• Allan Baile - Teacher, Aspen Heights Elementary

• Jason Foui - Radio DJ and Business Owner 

• Dr. Dave Cartledge - Veterinarian

• Cabel McElderry - Retired Personal Trainer and Business Owner

• April Reeves - Local Farmer and Business Owner

• Robert Saik - Professional Agrologist and Business Owner

• Michelle Salt - Paralympian - Team Canada (snowboard) 

• Tara Veer - Mayor of Red Deer

TEDxRedDeer License holder, Rene Michalak explains, “TED events have become so popular that communities can now apply for a TED event license and bring the experience of “ideas worth spreading” to their own town; the addition of the “x” denotes a locally organized event. The theme for the third TEDxRedDeer builds on the 2011's ‘Connecting’, and 2013's ‘Shut Up and Do It’.”

Community interest in TEDxRedDeer has been widespread since the inaugural year, garnering interest from business, the social service sector, education, and arts and culture groups - all interested in contributing to Red Deer’s future.

Applications to be a speaker or performer were posted at TEDxRedDeer.com with a deadline of Aug 1 this year. Since then, eight speakers and three entertainers have been confirmed for the 2014 event and will be posted at TEDxRedDeer.com throughout the first week of October. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale at the Black Knight Ticket Centre in early October with approximately 200 tickets available at $50 each and 100 student tickets at $25 each thanks to event sponsors Servus Credit Union, Red Deer College, Dale Carnegie Training, and more to come! 
 

“Stay tuned for the online speaker profiles as we're proud to welcome some of Red Deer's well-known citizens and up-and-comers to the TEDxRedDeer stage.”, says Michalak.

TEDx events are independently locally organized events operating under a program of TED - a small organization devoted to ideas worth spreading. TED’s annual conference invites the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes (or less). Their talks are then made available, for free, on TED.com. TEDx events provide people in local communities with a TED like experience.

First Cut of Speakers & Entertainers Selected!

UPDATE: The first cut of Speakers and Entertainers has been selected for TEDxRedDeer 2014 - stay tuned for official details soon! With 2014 being the 30th Anniversary of the TED Conference - and the third TEDxRedDeer - we are presenting with a theme of "Pushing Boundaries" and planning to have an audience of 300 people. Tickets to go on sale in October!

In the meantime, save the date of Saturday, November 22 at the City Centre Stage (former Uptown Theater) in Red Deer!