TED -- Ideas Worth Spreading

Hello Tedsters,

First, Sarah, I would like to give you my sincere thanks for getting this TED Meetup started. Without your initial inspiration, we would not have this opportunity to join into the larger TED community. Thank you so much. I look forward to meeting you.

As first-time meetup organizer, I'm not sure what's the "right" way to schedule the first meeting, so if you will indulge me, I'm going to wing it. All suggestions and/or offers of assistance are invited and warmly welcomed.

To start things off, I recommend that we first have an organizational meeting followed by a full TED program meetup 1-2 weeks later. At the organizational meeting, we can have quick introductions, get any clerical issues out of the way, and then we can discuss and plan what, where, and when we want TED meetups to be.

For the organizational meeting, I suggest the Community Room at the Irving-Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library. The room is large—holds about 100 people—has excellent wi-fi, ample street parking (no meters), ADA assessable, and, most importantly, a digital projector. There is no charge to use the room and light refreshments (food and drinks) may be brought in. While it is on the Northwest side of Chicago and may be a bit out of the way, it is a known quantity and will suffice for the first meeting. Those without cars can get there on the Irving Park bus, going west from the Blue, Brown, or Red line. (In the meantime, I’ll scout for a more central location for the second meeting.)

6:30 to 6:55 pm Meet and Greet

7:00 to 7:50 pm Organizational Meeting

7:55 to 8:00 pm Meeting Close

Austin Irving Branch

Chicago Public Library

6100 West Irving Park Road

Chicago, IL

312-744-6222