There are only three responses I’ve ever heard when asking someone if they’re coming to the TEDxDetroit conference: 

• “Who’s Ted?”
• “FedEx conference?”
• “YES! I love TED and I can’t wait for TEDx!”

TED has a legion of fans around the world. TEDtalk videos are some of the most watched videos on the web. TED even gets some screen time in the new Apple iPad ad. But still there are people who haven’t heard of TED or it’s independently produced cousin, TEDx.

You can get the full lowdown on TED and watch thousands of interesting “ideas worth spreading at http://TED.com. But I’d like to answer another common question: “What is TEDxDetroit?”

The short answer is “TEDxDetroit is an event to celebrate ideas, innovations and inspiration in Detroit and Michigan.” Which usually leads to a lot of other questions.

• “Is it a business conference?”
  No, but we highlight many cool business leaders.
• “Is it a social media conference?”
  No, but you’ll find twitter, youtube and flickr ablaze with content during TEDxDetroit.
• “Is it a tech conference or an art show?”
  No, but you’ll find many of the top innovators and artists showing off their latest creations.

Hell, we’re not even sure it is a conference.

It’s most definitely a chance to bring together the thinkers and doers together and share ideas worth spreading. We have four goals with TEDxDetroit:

1. Bring the “charged particles” together to encourage collaboration, optimism and a sense of what’s possible.
2. Shine a light on the cool people, places, entrepreneurs, innovations and artists creating in Detroit and Michigan.
3. Act as a big positive PR event highlighting to the world what IS working in Detroit.
4. Raise money for charities opening children’s minds with art and technology.

You’re sure to find area’s top creators, catalysts, entrepreneurs, artists, technologists, designers, scientists, and students at TEDxDetroit on Wednesday, September 28th. I sure hope you’ll be one of them.

Learn more at http://TEDxDetroit.com

Photos from our talented Photo Team at TEDxDetroit 2010 including Erin Slayter, Becky Johns, Benjamin Slayter, Mira Uncut and more. See their work at 
http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=tedxdetroit

New ideas can be intoxicating distraction. “This is the best idea ever!” 

We fall in love with our new ideas. We can’t stop thinking about them. We ignore all their faults. We doodle their name over and over again in our notebooks during meetings. We want to spend all of our time with them. 

Resist the temptation to let your new idea run wild – or worse yet – jump into research mode. Jot each idea down as it comes to you and save it for later. Continue on with the task at hand. Focus. Finish.

We don’t get credit for what we dream, only what we deliver.

#makeitahappen

Ideas are important. Ideas are great. We’re in the idea business - but ideas mean nothing without solid execution.

As you’re brainstorming your next big success, make sure you’re dedicating as much attention to the “on’s” of execution as you’re giving to the “P’s” of marketing. Remember: you don’t get credit for the things you talk about - only the things you finish and launch successfully.

“Innovation is rewarded. Execution is worshipped.”