<p>For those who know about TED, USC began the first-ever affiliated TEDx program last year which was a huge success. Here’s a brief description:</p>
<p>"TEDxUSC “Ideas Empowered” Conference</p>
<p>Think of TEDxUSC as a retreat with 1200 of your smartest friends. A time to explore new ideas, get inspired by visionary thinkers, and gain exposure to concepts and innovations you may not have ever seen before. A time to check-out from the day-to-day routine, and enter an afternoon of intellectual adventure.</p>
<p>And true to the format of the TED conference, TEDxUSC presenters will give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes or less."</p>
<p>TED is famous for keeping their guest lecturers/performers secret–but last year attendees heard from people as varied as Jane Poynter from Paragon Space Development Corporation to performer Melissa Etheridge. In 2010, the second TEDxUSC will be held on campus.</p>
<p>Here’s more about USC’s involvement:</p>
<p>"As the first to pioneer the TEDx program, the University of Southern California is the place where it all began.</p>
<p>In 2009, the TEDxUSC Ideas Empowered conference brought the spirit of the TED conference to USC hosting some of the world’s smartest thinkers, greatest visionaries, and most fascinating teachers to inspire a better understanding of the world and create a better future.</p>
<p>TEDxUSC reached nearly 50,000 people through outreach efforts, filled USCs Bovard auditorium to capacity at 1200, and the four TEDxUSC talks that have been posted to TED.com have been seen by more than a half million people worldwide (thats 6 Coliseums full!)</p>
<p>Since TEDxUSC 2009, we have helped to create a model for a worldwide TEDx experience, helping kick off a world-wide success story through hundreds of smaller TEDx events in over 60 different countries.</p>
<p>Current USC students, check it out:
[url=<a href=“http://stevens.usc.edu/tedxusc2009.php]TEDxUSC[/url”>http://stevens.usc.edu/tedxusc2009.php]TEDxUSC[/url</a>]</p>
<p>Future USC students, here’s a chance to see just one example of what being part of this vital creative and academic community will offer!</p>