Kansas Citians help break TEDx world record for fastest sellout of tickets
July 7, 2017 | Meghan LeVota
In the time it takes to walk from Kansas City’s streetcar line to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, TEDxKC sold out.
In record time — only four minutes — Kansas Citians devoured hundreds of tickets for the TEDxKC live event on Aug. 18 at the Kauffman Center.
Mike Lundgren, curator and founder of TEDxKC, said that Kansas City now holds the TED world record for the fastest ticket sell-out. He added that his near decade of organizing TEDxKC has made him proud of the city’s appetite for thought-provoking content.
“In nine years of putting on TEDxKC, my co-founder John Mulvihill and I learned one thing: Kansas City punches way above its weight when it comes to supporting intellectual programming,” Lundgren said. “Once again, TEDxKC is the largest TED event in the United States. I think that’s pretty cool. It makes me even prouder to live in this great city. The fact that we hold the TED world record for selling out our live event — four minutes this year — underscores it all.”
One of the largest, independently-organized TEDx events in the world, TEDxKC offers a lineup of perspective-altering speakers set for Aug. 18 at the Kauffman Center. Learn more about the speakers here.
If you were one of the many disgruntled Kansas Citians who weren’t able to purchase a ticket fast enough, you’re in luck. To meet the demand, TEDxKC announced Thursday partnerships with several metro locations that will host watch parties.
This year, the watch parties will expand to serve a wider geographic area. Locations include Lee’s Summit, Independence and the Northland. In 2016, TEDxKC hosted three watch parties with a total of 350 attendees. With four locations this year, organizers expect each event will attract about 100 guests.
Watch party tickets are $10 and include a TEDxKC T-shirt, refreshments and seat for the live-simulcast. Guests have the choice between these four watch party locations:
- Sprint Accelerator (Crossroads), 210 W. 19th Terrace, Kansas City, MO
- Woodneath Library Center (Northland), 8900 NE Flintlock Road, Kansas City, MO
- Colbern Road Branch Library, 1000 NE Colbern Road, Lee’s Summit, MO
- North Independence Branch Library, 317 W. 24 Highway, Independence, MO
TEDxKC is also seeking experiential, artistic or interactive experiences to be displayed in the lobby of the Kauffman Center on the day of the event. If selected, each artist will receive a $1,000 stipend and two complimentary tickets to the live simulcast experience in Muriel Kauffman Theatre.
To apply, visit TEDxKC.org to submit your proposal before July 17.
2017 Startups to Watch
stats here
Related Posts on Startland News
Olathe startup remixes graduation apparel for students with hair that won’t fit the mold (or cap)
Graduation is an important time in a young person’s life, said Rashawnda Wright, noting students should look and feel their best on perhaps the biggest day of their educational careers. After watching her daughter, Myayla, struggle to wear her graduation cap atop her big, curly hair, Wright was inspired to come up with a solution.…
$500K Etsy grant expected to help AltCap offer microloans to artists, creative entrepreneurs
AltCap this week announced a new partnership with the global marketplace Etsy to provide microloans to artists and creative entrepreneurs in America’s Heartland. Etsy has awarded AltCap, an impact-focused small business lender, a $500,000 grant to provide $1,000 to $10,000 loans through the ARTcap Microloan Fund to artists and creative entrepreneurs in Kansas, Missouri and…
Blue Springs farm, retail space invites city diners to the orchard for ‘Alpaca Brunch’
Brunching with a multicolor trio of alpacas is just one of the experiential offerings coming to Colonial Gardens this spring and summer as the rural Blue Springs retail space leans into agritourism and hands-on education, said Grace Ames. Not only can community members buy plants, trees, and flowers for their yards at Colonial Gardens, the…
Equal Minded Cafe serves a wealth of wins as taste buds power Troost bistro’s word-of-mouth appeal
Dontavious Young will happily brew customers at Equal Minded Cafe a chai or latte, but his main goal is to blend ideas, not ingredients. “Our mission is to provide resources, opportunities, and connections to people from all districts of Kansas City,” said Young, the property owner, event coordinator, and cafe manager at Equal Minded Cafe.…