The committee of TEDxSoCal, the independent event which mimicks and is inspired by the infamous TED format, has just announced the second annual TEDxSoCal, which will be held on Saturday, July 14, 2012 at the Center Theater in Long Beach. This year’s conference investigates “The Alchemy of Transformation,” addressing the way in which we constantly live with change: internally and externally, individually and within groups. The conference will explore ideas from people harnessing change — from within themselves, their work places, their living spaces — to improve their own life and their community.
Following the 2010 TED Conference held in Long Beach, Fifth District Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske put forth an agenda item requesting the City Manager to apply for a license from TED to allow the City of Long Beach to hold a TEDx event. The idea was to give Long Beach residents the opportunity to experience a local, independently organized TEDx event and participate in this innovative way to build a stronger and better community. The agenda item was the first step in bringing the successful first annual TEDxSoCal to Long Beach in July of last year.
The 2012 TEDxSoCal planning committee includes: Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, Steve Goodling (Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau), Lynne Wainfan (Compass Alliance Strategic Consulting), Sandy VandenBerge (Long Beach Community Foundation), John Glaza (Arts Council for Long Beach), Dr. Jerry Schubel (Aquarium of the Pacific), Justin Hectus (Keesal, Young, and Logan) April Economides (Green Octopus Consulting) and Blair Cohn (Bixby Knolls Business Improvement Association).
TEDxSoCal will feature 18 speakers and performers, including:
- Rudy DeFelice: Lawyer turned entrepreneur and founder of Kidworth which enables parents to help kids form a financial foundation by using kid’s income in productive ways;
- Dr. Katherine Loflin: Principal of Loflin Consulting Solutions in which she focuses on helping leaders from all aspects of society improve their cities with the “placemaking” model;
- David Mocarski: Principal at Arkkit Forms Design and chairman of the Environmental Design Department at Art Center College of Design;
- Natasha Case and Freya Estreller: Started the Coolhaus ice cream sandwich food truck, one of the leading innovative dessert companies;
- and Sithea San: Cambodian genocide survivor, one of the founders of Cambodia Town in Long Beach.