Last year was such an isolating, disappointing year filled with COVID-19 related event cancellations for Oneonta and the rest of the world. One of my favorite events fell victim in 2020 to the pandemic: TEDxOneonta, an uplifting, non-profit event that brings in inspirational speakers from across the globe to share amazing, positive ideas. It's a local version of the National TED Conference which features the well-known "TED Talks" that many people enjoy watching online.

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Every time I have attended TEDxOneonta, I always leave feeling inspired, excited, and ready to do anything I can to make the world just a little bit better. It's the best feeling, even better than going to a concert by one of my favorite music artists, which is truly saying something!

TEDxOneonta is an independently organized event but falls under the regulations put forth from the National TED conference. The idea is to bring ideas worth spreading from carefully chosen, quality speakers to a local audience, giving attendees a TED-like experience. The "x" in TEDx means that it's independently organized and subject to the rules and regulations set forth by the TED organization.

Dan Buttermann, TEDxOneonta Co-Founder and Executive Producer says that TEDxOneonta will return with a live, limited in-person event on September 24 in Oneonta, NY at Foothills Performing Arts Center, featuring speakers from across the United States. Click here to learn more about the four speakers featured at this September's event.

This year's theme according to TEDxOneonta Co-Founder and Lead Curator Lisa Samols is “Changing World”. Considering that we are still on our way out from under a pandemic, this theme couldn't be more fitting. Samols says, "The world is changing fast, and we are honored to have big thinkers ready to shape a bright future and share their ideas with us."

More information on the 2021 speakers, tickets, COVID-19 restrictions, and any other event-related content can be found at tedxoneonta.com and on the TEDxOneonta facebook page.

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