NEW ALBANY, Ohio (WCMH) — The largest student-organized TEDx event in Ohio will take place this Sunday.
Logan Jamiel-Pallone works with TEDxNewAlbany and said it is an independent, student-run organization that uses the TEDx license to host local events. Jamiel-Pallone said the students get sponsorships from local businesses to pay for costs, and the businesses get advertising space in return.
This year’s TEDxNewAlbany event is themed “New Horizons” and invites residents to enjoy talks from qualified speakers over the course of an afternoon. Each talk is scheduled for about 20 minutes, with an intermission. Jamiel-Pallone said the event has been held annually since 2016.
“We believe that this event provides great opportunities to the local community to broaden their perspectives and hear professionals talk about their views on topics,” Jamiel-Pallone said. “This is also beneficial to community members because it provides a great opportunity to learn and network with like-minded individuals from around Columbus.”
TEDXNewAlbany will include eight speakers, including New Albany resident Thomas Niederpruem. Niederpruem is involved in multiple organizations that work with people with disabilities, including the Special Olympics. A 2020 New Albany graduate, he surpassed 500 service hours in high school, a number he has since tripled.
Other speakers include experts in health, entrepreneurship and technology. Fourth speaker Sol Rashidi is the author of “Your AI Survival Guide” and was voted Forbes’ “AI maverick and visionary of the 21st century.” She will address technology as a tool and motivate attendees to see technology as a tool, not competition.
Certified brain health trainer Christopher Wilson will begin the event. Wilson specializes in helping adults over 40 achieve optimal health. Other medical experts include Andy Barlow, a veteran and neuroscientist who will speak third, and Emlah Tubuo, an intentional living enthusiast and pharmacist who will end the event by discussing preventative medicine.
Workplace expert Joey Havens will share leadership tips as the third speaker. Attendees seeking leadership guidance will also hear from Ryan Hanley, founder and CEO of Finding Peak. Hanley will speak fifth and discuss finding and redefining success. Seventh speaker Moustage Moursy is the CEO and founder of Push Analytics, and will share wisdom on business consulting and maximizing sales.
Katie Allen, communications and marketing specialist for New Albany, said she was able to attend a portion of the event last year as a resident and spoke highly of her experience.
“It was my first time and was truly impressed by the variety of topics and information being presented in such an engaging way,” Allen said. “Thrilled they offer this yearly, and they do a great job of making it inclusive and intriguing to all no matter your age or interest.”
Allen said although the TEDxNewAlbany events are annual, New Albany hosts similar “TIGER Talks” throughout the year that are well attended. TIGER Talks happen most Fridays, including Feb. 21’s discussion of the automated future of work from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. This week’s talk is hosted by Ronak Patel, CEO of Sunflower Lab, who will discuss the rise of AI and automation. All TIGER Talk events are free and double as networking events.
The TEDxNewAlbany showcase will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts. Tickets are $10 or free for students and can be purchased online.