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
Why one chef calls city’s airport vote a ‘life-changing event for small businesses in Kansas City’
A freshly stamped plan to bring more than a dozen women- and minority-owned businesses — among 40 local brands — to Kansas City’s new airport terminal is a surreal turn for Laronda Lanear, the Kansas City chef said, noting the project’s opportunity for generational impact. “It’s going to change my life, my daughter’s life. It’s going…
Brands from Poio to Made in KC booked for new airport; $1.5B expected through the gate over 15 years
Local and minority-owned vendors selected to operate shops in Kansas City’s new airport terminal are more than up to the task, said Carlos Mortera, emphasizing the power of adding flavor to the highly anticipated project. “Most airports aren’t filled with local businesses,” noted Mortera, founder of Poio Mexican Barbeque. “We in Kansas City, I feel…
Erkios confirms KC headquarters moving to St. Louis; gears up for 2022 product launch
While vendors for Erkios Systems were shut down during the pandemic, Sean Null and his team got busy learning the necessary skills to keep their startup going, he recalled. “We were doing a lot of the work on our own; so when the world started moving again, we were prepared. Essentially, we were able to…
Sustainable style: Pop-up jewelry maker adds final touch of flare through zero-waste designs
Everything in Adrianna Stranak’s life seems to happen a bit haphazardly, she said, laughing. “When I started making jewelry, creating a business was not my initial goal,” shared Stranak, who teaches kindergarten in Kansas City, Kansas. “For me, I wanted these earrings that I couldn’t afford, so I made them!” As Stranak continued designing and…