TEDxOrangeCoast Releases Full Line-Up of Conference Speakers

COSTA MESA, CA--(Marketwired - Sep 11, 2013) - TEDxOrangeCoast announced today the complete line-up of speakers and performers slated for its third annual fall conference at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts September 20-21. Speakers will follow the famous TED Talks format: a compelling presentation in which they share the Talk of their life in 18 minutes or less.

Highlights of this year's conference include speakers Dr. Kary Mullis, who received a Nobel Prize in chemistry for his invention of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) which enables scientists to copy DNA sequences; Gesine Thomson, an internationally recognized architect and speaker specializing in large scale community planning and sustainable commercial growth; global strategist, pastor, author and philanthropist Rick Warren; Rodney Mullen, named the godfather of skateboard; and humanitarian photographer Lisa Kristine, among others.

"We have a unique process that helps our speakers distill their message into an interesting talk while also coaching them on delivering their best kept secrets in a crisp and memorable presentation," says Amir Banifatemi, curator of TEDxOrangeCoast.

TEDxOrangeCoast chose speakers whose Talks will spark audience engagement and incite participants to continue conversations even after the event. To facilitate those connections, Eskandari has incorporated a networking event following Friday's presentations and during Saturday's lunch break at nearby Noguchi Gardens. The event is open to all attendees and speakers.

"We look for an eclectic mix of speakers," says TEDxOrangeCoast Executive Producer Mojdeh Eskandari. "The promise of TED is the revelation of someone or something the audience didn't know! So the fun is finding the obscure inventor, artist or entrepreneur and giving them this amazing platform."

View the complete roster of speakers and their bios and see the conference program.

Additionally, following the successful reception of Innovation Alley in past years, TEDxOrangeCoast is continuing with a larger Innovation Alley in 2013. Adjacent to the conference and accessible to all attendees, the alleys of the concert hall and nearby garden are being transformed to allow attendees to experience new products and innovative ideas stemming out of our communities. From interactive art pieces, Google Glass immersion and electric bikes to innovative universal prescription glasses, new educational material and new water filtration products, attendees will have the opportunity to immerse themselves, experiment, try and discuss upcoming innovations that are shaping new ideas and inspiring us.

About TEDxOrangeCoast
TEDxOrangeCoast is a non-profit, independently organized TED event devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading through annual conferences featuring fascinating doers and thinkers who present in 18 minutes or less. Its scope has broadened to include the TEDxChallenge and TEDxTeenChallenge, which promote Ideas Worth Doing. TEDxOrangeCoast brings together a like-minded community of curious, highly engaged learners committed to inspiring change through positive actions. Learn more at www.TEDxOrangeCoast.com.

About TED
TED, originally an acronym for Technology, Entertainment, Design, is a nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It hosts two annual conferences -- the TED Conference on the West Coast each spring, and the TEDGlobal conference in Edinburgh UK each summer -- and launched the award-winning TED Talks video site, the Open Translation Project and TED Conversations, the TED Fellows and TEDx programs, and the annual TED Prize. Learn more at www.TED.com.