TEDxSavannah -- an independently organized, half-day celebration of ideas worth spreading -- is set to host the 13th annual TEDxSavannah event on Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Fine Arts Auditorium at Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus, located at 11935 Abercorn St. Doors will open at noon.

The TEDxSavannah theme for 2024 is Convergence. Twelve speakers will address the theme from a range of perspectives in thoughtful, professionally coached talks designed to resonate deeply with the Savannah community. In addition, TEDxSavannah 2024 will feature live entertainment as well as a speaker meet-and-greet immediately following the main event.

“We can’t wait for our speakers to share ideas worth spreading with audience members from across the greater Savannah area,” said TEDxSavannah organizing committee member and speaker coach Karla Jennings, who delivered a TEDxSavannah talk in 2018. “TEDxSavannah 2024 speakers will explore a wide range of topics and offer creative solutions to community challenges.”

2024 TEDxSavannah speakers include:

• Elizabeth Adams, Affiliate Fellow, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

• Bruce Feiler, Best-selling author, speaker and TV host

• Lillian Grant-Baptiste, Gullah-Geechee storyteller and founder of Baobab Speaks Consulting Group

• Dr. Deidre Grim, Executive Director, Forsyth Farmers’ Market

• Steve Hein, Founder and Executive Director, Georgia Southern University Wildlife Center

• Mike Kentz, English teacher, Benedictine Military School

• Suzanne Kirk, President and Executive Human Resources Consultant, Employee Development Strategies, Inc,.

• Jessica Leigh Lebos, Award-winning Writer

• Briana Paxton, Chief Executive Officer, Hestia Community Partners LLC

• Bonzo Reddick, M.D., M.P.H., District Health Director, Georgia Department of Public Health

• Nina Samuels, Sculptor working with clay and sustainable materials

• Christian Shellman, Community Development Manager, Housing Savannah, Inc.

Full bios for the TEDxSavannah speakers, along with photos, are available at tedxsavannah.com.

TEDxSavannah received more than 150 speaker applications for the 2024 event. Each selected speaker will deliver a thought-provoking talk, influenced by the event's theme and related to topics affecting the Savannah community. Live talks will be filmed and posted on the TEDx Talks YouTube channel following the event.

Guided by a mission to share ideas worth spreading, TEDxSavannah welcomes the public to enjoy live presentations from area residents, TED Talk videos designed to spark deep discussion and live performances.   

General admission tickets are currently on sale for $50, which include seating, onsite parking, snacks, coffee and admission to the speaker meet-and-greet event on-site immediately following TEDxSavannah 2024. Discounted tickets are available for educators, students, first responders, active-duty military and nonprofits for $40. VIP tickets are also available for $75, which include priority seating and a special VIP badge.

Groups of more than six attendees can receive a 10% discount on the price of their tickets by contacting Allison Hersh at [email protected].

To purchase tickets or to learn more about TEDxSavannah, please visit tedxsavannah.com.