TEDxSeattle Announces First Wave of 2017 Speakers

SEATTLE, Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDxSeattle today announced its first eight speakers selected for the eighth annual TEDxSeattle event, taking place at McCaw Hall on November 18, 2017. The day-long program garnered a record number of speaker applicants this year, with a total of 230 submissions narrowed down to just 14 speakers who will take the stage to inspire, engage and connect with attendees around the evocative theme "Changing Places."

This year's theme offers divergent perspectives on the evolving lenses of Seattle, from the changing city skyline to its emerging cultural transformation, future direction and unmistakable impact on the Pacific Northwest and the nation.

"This year's theme embodies the unprecedented change happening in Seattle – physically, culturally and economically," said Elizabeth Coppinger, executive director and curator of TEDxSeattle. "People are contemplating, even grappling with, their roles in the community and society at-large, and how they can shape this change in a positive manner. Through TEDx events, we can help facilitate this process at the local level."

The first wave of speakers, selected by committee, represent a diverse mix of business leaders, philanthropists, scientists, technologists and artists, including:

• Dr. Fariba Alamdari, Vice President of Marketing & Value Analysis, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
• Steve Davis, President & CEO, PATH
• Patty Haven Fleischmann, President, Stolen Youth
• Jennifer Hansen, Senior Officer in Knowledge & Research, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
• Jim Haven, Wondernaut
• Rex Hohlbein and Jenn LaFreniere, The BLOCK project
• Charlie Swan, Co-Founder, Pacific Hyperloop
• Jevin West, Assistant Professor, University of Washington

The full roster will be announced in early September.

A limited number of tickets are now on sale for only $70 while supplies last. General admission and discounted student tickets, including a new educators package, go on sale September 1. The event is expected to sell out for the second year in a row.

TEDxSeattle is made possible by our partners. The Washington State Employees Credit Union (WSECU) will return as TEDxSeattle's Title Partner in 2017 for the third year running. The organization's generous support underwrites the McCaw Hall experience designed to engage attendees with this year's Changing Places theme. Learn more about partnering with us today.

About TEDx
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created a program called TEDx. TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. Our event is called TEDxSeattle, where x = independently organized TED event. At our TEDxSeattle event, TEDTalks video and live speakers will combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events, including ours, are self-organized.

About TEDxSeattle
TEDxSeattle is a self-sustaining, volunteer-run, non-profit with a license from TED to independently organize a local TED event. What started in 2010 as TEDxRainier with an audience of 600 for a one-day event has evolved to TEDxSeattle with an audience filling McCaw Hall's 2,800-seat auditorium. Over the years, attendees have heard 130 speakers. Of those speakers, several have gone on to speak at TED Global while the videos of their presentations have received more than 15 million views. Learn more at tedxseattle.com.

About WSECU
WSECU is a non-profit community credit union offering membership to anyone in Washington State, with a special focus on public employees and others who work to improve their communities. Learn more at wsecu.org.

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SOURCE TEDxSeattle