TEDxStLouis Receives a Standing Ovation.

Technology, Entertainment, Design. These are the founding ideas behind the California-based non-profit conference series known as TED. Wednesday, November 17, St. Louis embarked on a journey, years in the making, when it hosted its own version of the TED conference with the first-ever TEDxStLouis.

TEDxStLouis took place at the James S. McDonnell Planetarium at the St. Louis Science Center, and was opened to only 100 of St. Louis’ regional thought leaders. Presentation topics ranged from reforming our countries prison system, to sustaining media in this new era, to a direct challenge for corporations to utilize their resources and talents to address and solve the most challenging global issues; and included luminaries:

• David Robertson – Music Director and Conductor, St. Louis Symphony
• Ron Shaich – Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, Panera Bread Company
• Jason Pontin – Editor in Chief and Publisher, MIT’s Technology Review
• Andre Norman – Harvard Lecturer and Nationally Recognized Youth Advocate
• David Stillman – Generational Expert and Author
• Judge Jimmy Edwards – Chief Juvenile Court Judge, St. Louis Circuit Court
• M. Isabel Valdes – In-Culture Marketing Expert, Consultant and Author