ABOUT TEDX, X = INDEPENDENTLY ORGANIZED EVENT
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
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About TED
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Started as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world's leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.
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The annual TED Conference takes place each spring in Vancouver, British Columbia. TED's media initiatives include TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily; TED Translators, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed. TED has established The Audacious Project that takes a collaborative approach to funding ideas with the potential to create change at thrilling scale; TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self- organized TED-style events around the world, and the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.
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OUR TEAM
The Movers and Shakers Team!
BRYAN CARR
EVENT CURATOR
Bryan Carr Bryan studied classical singing with teachers in Dublin, Los Angeles, Maastricht and Glasgow.
In 1998 he became lead vocalist with Platin Opera Scala Germany. In 2000 Bryan premiered the part of ‘Daigh’ in the Irish Dance Musical ‘To Dance on the Moon’ performing over 500 performances throughout 14 countries.
He continued as Production Manager on four International productions namely ‘Spirit of Ireland’, ‘To Dance on the Moon’, ‘Dance of Desire’ along with ‘Legend of the Knight’ and ‘The Celtic Kings’ which he devised and co-produced.
In 2004 Bryan established Shannon Star Entertainments as an Event Management Company and became Project Manager on the 550 seater Tinteán Theatre in Ballybunion. He covered production management on Bryan Adams in Galway along with the inaugural World Fleadh Festival in 2006. From 2007 to 2018 he was Event Manager on The Rose of Tralee International Festival, Ireland largest and longest running Festivals.
Currently, along with Festival Business Development work with the Rose of Tralee Festival he is also Production and Event Manager for festivals such as Punchestown Racing Festival, The Park Festival and the National Circus Festival of Ireland along with Entertainments Manager for Ballyseedy Garden Center’s.
He is Director of ‘Bryan Carr School of Performing Arts’ in Kerry and has been teaching singing to hundreds of young singers since 2002. He lives in Tralee with his wife Denise, two young kids and dog, Hamilton!
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JAMES FINNEGAN
EVENT CO-CURATOR & HOST
James has lived in Tralee for over thirty years having moved there from London. He has extensive experience in performing having sung for three Popes, and numerous Presidents, Royalty and Heads of State. He has significant acting experience on Stage and Screen including appearing in the Academy Award nominated film "The Lobster"
He has written books for the National Football Museum in the UK and Tralee Golf Club, and is a regular contributor to "The Kerryman" newspaper, "Tralee Today and Radio Kerry.
He is actively involved in the Community and is recognised as one of Tralee's most visible and enthusiastic Volunteers helping win National and International recognition and Awards for Tralee.
He has wide ranging experience in Education, Training and Development in Business and Sport up to and including Elite International. He is actively involved at Area level in Toastmasters International and regularly features on weekly podcasts and broadcasts on Public Speaking and Current Affairs.
He is married to Kathleen and has two children and two grandchildren
NICOLA O'SULLIVAN
CO-HOST
A native of Co. Kerry, founder and Director of Nicola O’Sullivan & Associates, MPRII, has built up an impressive client list to date across Kerry, Cork and Dublin and has a reputation for delivering events and campaigns with vision, planning, creativity and experience.
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As an experienced PR and Marketing professional, MPRII, with almost 20 years’ experience in professional fundraising, campaign and event management, Nicola has a proven track record in creating and implementing successful and bespoke events and campaigns through strategic planning, media relations, creative PR, marketing and social media.
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Prior to starting her own company, Nicola held a number of senior management positions across the not-for-profit sector and worked with a number of large charitable organisations. Additionally, Nicola has managed numerous events both nationally and internationally, including projects in Ireland, America, China, Mexico and South Africa.
Nicola holds an honours Bachelor of Music degree from WIT and an honours Masters in Public Relations from DIT. She holds a Diploma in Digital Marketing and is a member of the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (MPRII).
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As an avid believer in all things holistic, Nicola also has a Diploma in Reflexology and a Diploma in Holistic Massage Therapy.