Village Gamer

The countdown is on: there is less than one week left until TEDxVancouver‘s “Confluence” program at the Orpheum Theatre. Today, the organizing committee of TEDxVancouver is pleased to announce its complete roster of 14 speakers who will share, entertain and inspire with their messages revolving around Confluence. Speakers at TEDxVancouver are handpicked for their inspirational thinking, and in the TED tradition, each is challenged to offer their audience an idea worth sharing in “the talk of their life” in 18 minutes or less.

Three speakers finalize TEDxVancouver’s 2012 roster: an angel investor, a counselor who advocates alternative justice and a worldly thrill-seeker.

TEDxVancouver Speaker’s Lineup 2012 (*Speakers and Talk Focus are subject to change in advance of October 21, 2012.):

Robin Esrock – “Learn to Travel: Travel to Learn”
Robin Esrock’s success as a global adventurer, travel writer, TV producer and international TV personality was no accident, although it did start with one. Struck down on his bike at a Vancouver intersection, Robin hobbled away with a broken kneecap, and one year later, a modest $20,000 insurance settlement. It was just enough for him pack up his things, quit his job, and set off on a one-year solo round-the-world backpacking adventure to 24 countries. He named his journey Modern Gonzo, and committed to record his year of living dangerously, with online weekly reports, photography, videos, and interviews with every person he met. In doing so, he pioneered a new era of multi-platform, switched-on and wired-in travel journalism, leading to adventures beyond his wildest dreams.

Mark Betteridge – “Short Term Thinking: A Risk to Our Legacy”
Mark Betteridge is interested in leadership. He is a Director of the British Columbia Technology Industry Association, and a founding Director and Board Chair for Covenant House Vancouver.  He was also the first President of the UBC Real Estate Corporation, and a former Director of the Vancouver Aquarium.  Most recently, as the CEO of Discovery Parks, he directs the construction of research facilities that are designed to meet the specific needs of the technology industry, catering to small start-up and post-secondary spin-off companies that are in the business of improving the world we live in.  Mark is witnessing first-hand how competition in the global market place is escalating the need for a new era of innovative and forward-thinking leaders who will make better decisions about our future.

Natalie DeFreitas – “Rethinking the Impact of Traditional Justice”
Natalie DeFreitas believes there is a better way to “do” justice. At the age of 18, she volunteered with a literacy organization in Canadian federal prisons, and quickly became convinced of the merits of an emerging trend toward restorative justice practices. Today, she is a consultant and psychological counsellor who works closely with incarcerated populations, schools, governments, non-profit organizations and communities to take a stand against the greatest influencers on crime: poverty, racism, illiteracy, inadequate mental health and social services and lack of community collaboration.  Natalie encourages others to think dynamically about social accountability and believes justice is more than an institutionalized response, it is something we build collaboratively.

Joining Esrock, Betteridge, and DeFreitas and completing the speaker list for TEDxVancouver 2012 are the following inspiring individuals:
4. Natacha Beim
5. Mark Brand
6. John Bromley
7. Dr. Jean Carruthers
8. Dr. John Izzo
9. Chen Lizra
10. Elaine Lui
11. Doug Schmitt
12. Joel Solomon
13. Kristin Westdal
14. Eric Winsborrow

TEDxVancouver’s Confluence program takes place on Sunday, October 21, 2012 in downtown Vancouver at the historic Orpheum Theatre. Since 2008, each year TEDxVancouver has sold out. The 2012 event will do the same.

How To Get Tickets To This Year’s Program:

Interested attendees are invited to register to attend the October 21st event.  The conference will be accompanied by a select offering of optional pre- and post-event activities, catering to diverse tastes and interests.  A live webcast of the event will be available in high-quality video for free live viewing on the Internet.