Posts Tagged: Pittsburgh

What does Dare to Create mean?

26 Nov No Comments

by Kacey Wherley, Founder & Director

TEDx team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

create (cre•ate)
⁃ to bring (something) into existence
⁃ to make or produce (something)

When you think “creative,” you may think of painting, drawing, or design. But the act of creating goes way beyond that. To create is to do something new. For TEDxGrandviewAve 2014, we want to dig deeper and explore what it’s really like to create.

Creation isn’t always a new piece of art, construction of a new building, or a global revolution of ideas. It’s all of those things, plus more. It’s thinking in a new way. It’s taking what we all thought we knew, and creating a different perspective. Creating really is what you want it to be.

How did you come up with the theme?

Pittsburgh was built by creators like Carnegie and Warhol. A new breed of creation has taken over and the city’s on the rise again. Every time I look online, there is a new development project, a new restaurant, a new company getting a national award, a new idea being built – whether it be on land or in the cloud. Last year, we explored the Edge of Innovation. We dove into some really deep issues, and learned a lot about potential medical, social and industrial technologies. We even looked at how a local mayor is innovating his town.

For 2014, I knew I wanted the audience to explore the subject of creating. Not necessarily being creative, but taking that step to create. I went back and forth with words and phrases. On a trip to visit family in Ohio, my Mom and I were driving and discussing the next event. I told her my thoughts about the new theme but that I just couldn’t find the right words to fully embrace what the event would be about. As I sat there and rambled on and on, my Mom said, “What about…Dare to Create.”

It hit me – I liked it. I really, really liked it. But, I thought – did my Mom just explain my own words better than me? And I kept thinking that. The team kept brainstorming and we kept asking friends for suggestions in every conversation. But one kept sticking…Dare to Create. We decided that would be our message to the world from Pittsburgh in 2014.

One lesson I learned from this part of the event – Mom really does know best.

 

 

Why We Do What We Do

14 Oct No Comments

by Joe Vennare, Storyteller

PGH love

From time to time someone will ask a TEDxGrandviewAve team member a question.

Right after we’ve fielded all of the “who is TED?” questions, everyone wants to know:

Why do you do this?

What do you get out of hosting this event?

These questions are simple enough, but the explanations are a little more involved.

First, if you’re thinking we do it for a paycheck, you’re wrong. The TEDxGrandviewAve team is an all volunteer squad. As a matter of fact, TED prohibits TEDx events from making a profit. All of the money we raise is put right back into the event. The speakers aren’t paid either. And no one, speaker or organizer, is permitted to pitch or sell anything.

Nope, money isn’t the motivator.

Then what is?

As the Q and A goes on, it becomes clear that we do it because we couldn’t imagine not doing it.

Does that make sense?

Yes, the planning, organizing, designing, fundraising, and marketing take a whole bunch of time and effort. But, the payoff is priceless.

“The event was Pittsburgh at its best: intimate, authentic, and inspiring.” - TEDxGrandviewAve 2013 Attendee






We get to have a hand in sharing ideas and inspiration, two very powerful things. And, because the TEDxGrandviewAve team and event is deeply rooted in Pittsburgh’s community, we’re focused on the people and ideas that are leading the way in our region. We want to showcase them and their ideas, we want to see just how far these ideas can spread.

So the not so simple, simple answer to the “why?” question.

We do it because we’re passionate about Pittsburgh and we’re passionate about making a difference. And people that do things out of passion, do them better.

But, there’s a catch. Something we don’t want you to overlook. It’s kind of the most important part of the event.

It’s not about us, it’s about you.

We’re just the platform; you are the next big thing.

We need your ideas, insights, and innovations.

So, tell us, what are you working on? And, don’t forget to answer an important question; “why do you do what you do?”

 

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