Do you want to speak at TEDxDayton 2017? Here’s how to apply

The fifth edition of TEDxDayton event will take place on Oct. 20 at the Victoria Theatre in downtown Dayton. This year's theme is "Current."

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TEDxDayton spreads ideas and perspectives to spark conversation and connections in the community. The event uses TED’s celebrated format of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances that foster learning, inspiration, and wonder while also prompting conversations that matter.

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To find this year's presenters, organizers have issued a "Call for Speakers" on the TEDxDayton website, www.tedxdayton.com. Anyone with a big idea they want to share with the region is invited to apply for consideration. In addition to the application process, visitors may also nominate a person whom they believe should audition.

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This year, for the first time, TEDxDayton is accepting applications for performers to take part in TEDxDayton 2017. In years past, some of the most memorable highlights from TEDxDayton have been provided by performers. Classical pianist Steffin Johnson, poets Herbert Martin and Sierra Leone, the Stivers School for the Arts Jazz Orchestra, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, and World Jump Ropers are just a few examples of artists and performers who have inspired and entertained TEDxDayton audiences.

>> RELATED: 5 things we learned from TEDxDayton 2015

“TEDxDayton audiences have high expectations. They demand thoughtful talks that open their minds to new concepts and ideas, as well as issues that impact our region. For our Fifth Anniversary signature event, we need our speakers and performers to take our audience through a mental discovery process, while honoring the technology, entertainment and design format that guides all TED talks,” said TEDxDayton Co-chair Diane Farrell.

Potential speakers should complete the speaker application on www.tedxdayton.com by April 21, 2017. The speaker's committee will review all applications and invite selected candidates to audition on June 6, 7, and 10. Participants will be notified within a few weeks of auditions if they have been selected to be a TEDxDayton 2017 speaker.

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