Help us unearth the next big idea
The TEDx community is filled with fascinatingly curious, open-minded and interesting people! Many not only seek out ‘ideas worth spreading’ but also harbour such ideas and cannot wait to share them with the whole world!
We at TEDxZurich love finding inspiring ideas but since we are a group of volunteers, we cannot hope to unearth all these hidden gems on our own. That’s where you come in, our valued community! Do you have an idea that has the potential to change the world? Or perhaps you know of someone whose idea should be shared with a global audience?
Then please get in touch with us by following the links to our application form below!
Our core vales
When planning our events, we abide by the official TEDx Organiser Guide and standards:
· How famous a person is, is irrelevant for our stage. For us, their idea is paramount and must stand in the foreground! Therefore, we look for ideas rather than speakers.
· Speaker credibility is essential. We deal with experts in their fields in order to fully rely on the accuracy of their talk content.
· Importantly, we do not support the spread of pseudoscience nor serve as a self-promotion/advertising platform.
Things to consider when applying or nominating
You can nominate speakers or apply to become a speaker yourself all year round. Before filling out the application, please read this Q&A section carefully.
For example, finding your true self, getting out of the comfort zone, the importance of mindfulness, yoga, communication, etc., are pretty well covered. Try to find a topic that will wow the audience.
Help us understand why you are so passionate about this idea. At
TEDxZurich, we uphold the TED guiding principles. This means that our audience can rely on the credibility and expertise of our speakers. Help us understand what makes you the right person for this talk.
Below is the application form, where you can let us know about your idea and give us a glimpse of who you are. In the application form, we ask you for an outline of the talk you have in mind as well as a short video of your introduction. Thanks to this we can understand more what is your idea, and learn more about you.
Are you nominating someone?
Who is your dream speaker? Let us know! Once we select a nominated speaker, the next step is that they apply by themselves. We don’t accept applications made on behalf of a speaker from PR agencies, communication and marketing departments, or personal assistants.
Are you ready for a commitment?
The preparation process takes around 9-10 months. During this time, speakers participate in three rehearsals (two online and one in Zurich), individual coaching sessions, practice on their own and work on tasks like creating an outline, draft, or recording a video. We also support our speakers by offering additional training sessions to improve public speaking skills (storytelling, voice & diction, and stress management). We need your availability for the whole day of the event and some hours the day before.
Do I need to have an experience?
You don’t need to be a professional speaker. We will be there to help you to deliver a top-notch TED Talk. If you are an experienced speaker, the preparation process also includes the steps mentioned above to ensure that you can deliver the best presentation of your life.
Do I have to live in Switzerland to become a speaker?
Yes, and ideally, you are from the canton of Zurich. We are searching for speakers who are locally involved and contribute to this community.
When will I get feedback?
We contact only selected candidates, and don’t share individual feedback with applicants. We scan applications on a regular basis. After filling out the form, you will see an information that you submitted your application. If your topic is not a good fit for a specific event, it might be in the future, so there is no definitive time when we can contact you. We carefully read all applications, so there is no need to text us about it. We got you! We are looking forward to reviewing yours!
