Before that iconic red circle appears on the stage and speakers deliver punchy TedTalks, hundreds of hours of preparation take place behind the scenes.
鈥淲e didn鈥檛 know going into this what our theme would be, but through the process the stories revealed themselves,鈥� says Colleen Campbell (Comm鈥�18), volunteer speaker coordinator for 鈥淕ame Changer: TEDxCU 2018.鈥�
She served with four other CMCI and Leeds School of Business students on the 2018 TedxCU executive committee. Each year, the all-student committee鈥攚ith the guidance of Department of Communication Instructor Jeff Motter鈥攃hooses and coaches speakers, develops a theme, produces the marketing and completes all other duties needed to pull off the event.听听听 听
TEDx events are organized independently but follow mandatory ground rules and branding guidelines set by TED. The students receive training and then coach speakers through the process of delivering their speeches to match the TedTalk style.
For Campbell, the intense months of planning before the April event were among her best experiences at CU. They also were supported by what she learned from her professors.
鈥淎s a communication major, community and bringing people together is central to what we do,鈥� she says. 鈥淲hether behind the scenes helping to edit manuscripts or leading a team of students on the speaker committee, I feel confident in the skills my communication classes have given me.鈥�