TEDx Talks Coming to Bonnyville

The Bonnyville Boys and Girls Club will be hosting one of the most popular forums worldwide for spreading ideas.

TEDx Lakeland will be the latest series of Ted Talks, a popular online platform that has speakers talk about one subject for roughly 15 minute stretches.

“They’re bringing in successful people in various industries together and hoping to inspire young minds and people that watch online, or people who watch at the event,” explained Patty Cowden, director of the Boys and Girls Club.

The event will feature seven local business owners, athletes, and musicians speaking about their experiences on Oct. 23.

The theme of the event is “Time to Think” which is meant to inspire teenagers who might feel held back because of their small town roots.

“We’re in a small town in Northern Alberta and I think it’s important because you’ll always hear, ‘You have to go to a big city to see a big event or meet big people.’

“I think it’s important to have those big events. I think it’s time we have those big events here in the lakeland because we’re that good.”

Junior high and high school students from Bonnyville, Iron River, and Ardmore will get the chance to hear from inspiring people locally, including Olympic athlete Barrett Martineau, local band FKB, and Lakeland Connect’s own Jena Colbourne.

Through an online application, Cowden was able to secure bringing the TEDx name to the lakeland.

“They were very excited that we wanted to be a part of this global movement. It’s a movement now because TedX is all over the world on a global stage. They’re very excited to have us.”

The goal is to make this an annual event moving forward.

“Not only is this a wonderful event, but it puts us on global level. It can put us on the map in the eyes of the global community. I think that’s pretty exciting.

The event is free at the Centennial Centre.