Ideas and action in the desert: the TEDx Workshop at TEDActive

Photo: Michael Brands

Every year, 700 curious and energetic leaders share an immersive week of TED Talks and experiences designed to inspire conversation, exchange and immediate action around ideas worth spreading at TEDActive in Palm Springs.

Among this group of wild and crazy changemakers are many, many TEDx organizers, who come together from all corners of the globe to take part in the annual TEDx Workshop at TEDActive. Here, organizers from almost every continent share ideas, food, conversation, and probe the minds of several brave TED staffers.

TED’s Kelly and Rives open the 2012 workshop. Photo: Michael Brands

Activities at this workshop include brainstorms organized by region; presentations by organizers on all the amazing things happening at TEDx events dotting the map — in places close to or thousands miles away from Palm Springs; sessions on TEDx need-to-knows; and Q&As with and presentations by official TED staff.

Phil Klein of TEDxRanier raises a hand to ask a question. Photo: Michael Brands

Last year, over 250 TEDx organizers, from over 45 countries, gathered in the desert to envision the future of TEDx and the power of the collective TEDx community.

TEDx organizers use umbrellas to shade themselves from the desert sun during a brainstorming session. Photo: Michael Brands

One attendee, Areej Mehdi of TEDxKinnaird in Lahore, Pakistan, said of her experience at TEDActive in 2011:

“It is perhaps, only at TEDActive that you can be inspired all ‘round the clock—an entire five days…The sense of rejuvenation that I felt as I came across the hard work and effort so many people are putting into their TEDx events all over the world is humbling and awe-inspiring to say the least.”

TEDx’ers explore the natural landscape of the Coachella Valley in Palm Springs. Photo: Michael Brands

The power of the TEDx Workshop lies in the power of TED — sharing ideas worth spreading — and when TEDx organizers come together, amazing ideas are spread — from culture to culture, community to community. Or as, Saad Hamid, TEDxMargalla organizer, puts it, “What’s the x in TEDx? Many ask…I believe that x is the mystery ingredient found in all TEDx organizers around the world. It is what encourages them to create marvels within their community, discover and present new ideas, and create a long-lasting change — all at no cost.”

Organizers share a meal and conversation at the Sunnylands estate at the end of the day. Photo: Michael Brands

So, with February and TEDActive (February 25 - March 1, 2013) soon approaching, it is only a matter of weeks until the sea of good ideas comes from the intrepid and dedicated TEDx’ers descending onto the desert, and we can’t wait to see what happens next.