This powerful event brings together an impressive list of emerging and well-known influencers to showcase, discuss and connect important ideas in science, the arts, design, business, film, technology, education and much more. Speakers and influencers this year include:
- Aneesh Chopra, the United States Chief Technology Officer and assistant to the President. Chopra will discuss how the U.S. can build on its cultural assets of creativity, new ideas, entrepreneurship and relentless innovation to enhance its competitive position in the global marketplace.
- Aubrey de Grey, a scientist and editor-in-chief of the journal Rejuvenation Science and co-author of the 2007 book Ending Aging. His ideas challenge the most basic assumption that aging is inevitable.
- Elizabeth Scharpf, founder of the global Sustainable Health Enterprises (SHE), who developed a seemingly simple, but significant design innovation involving banana leaves that is profoundly improving the lives of young women around the world.
- Physicist and author Leonard Mlodinow, who will explore the extent to which randomness, chance and probability influence and shape our work and everyday lives. Mlodinow was a writer for the television series MacGyver and Star Trek: The Next Generation and co-author with Stephen Hawking of the recent best-seller The Grand Design.
- Philosopher and democracy advocate Chris Phillips, who will lead the IF audience through a timely and provocative discussion of democracy, framed in large part around Jeffersonian ideas of freedom and liberty.
- Human perception psychologist and author Daniel Simons, who will take attendees deep inside the brain to explore the startling limits of the mind in human perception, memory and awareness.
- Steve Mazan, a 35-year-old stand-up comedian, who after learning he had cancer and might only have five years to live, dedicated his life to living his dream: performing comedy on The Late Show with David Letterman. Mazan comes to IF to share his hilarious, heart-breaking and inspirational documentary that chronicles his five-year journey, as he races his own ticking clock to achieve a nearly impossible goal.
- Sheril Kirshenbaum, a scientist with the Webber Energy Group at the University of Texas and author of the recently published book The Science of Kissing, who will explore one of humanity's fondest and fascinating pastimes—kissing. Kirshenbaum also hosts a new blog at Wired Science and is a columnist at Bloomberg.
- Tim Donaghy, a former NBA basketball referee whose gambling addiction led to his conviction and prison sentence for betting on games. Donaghy will share his story, including his insights into the strong grip of addiction and reflections on big-time sports in America.
- Ruby Lerner, founding President of Creative Capital, who returns to IF with another group of genre-bending artists (Julie Wyman, Pamela Z, Rich Pell, Mark Shepard and Huang Shih Chieh). Their work will pull you out of your everyday common experience, letting you “see” things from new and very different perspectives.
IF offers attendees an opportunity to explore diverse ideas and innovations outside of their field and gain a renewed sense of wonder and curiosity. The event attracts early adopters and thought leaders who want to be exposed to new ideas and new ways of thinking, such as:
- Global/national and local influencers who are industry thought leaders and problem-solvers actively looking for the next great idea or perfect solution;
- Entrepreneurs, business leaders and community influencers who want to take advantage of a phenomenal professional development and talent attraction resource;
- Young professionals and the next generation of leaders who care about innovative companies that are socially responsible and making a difference; and
- Existing thinkers, makers and doers looking to build a new network for continuing dialogue and growth about transformational change.
A complete program line-up will be released this summer. Please visit ideafestival.com for more information.
About the IdeaFestival
The IdeaFestival (IF) is a world-class event that attracts leading and diverse thinkers from across the U.S. and around the globe to explore and celebrate imagination and cutting-edge ideas. IF serves as a springboard for high-speed innovation, product development and creative endeavors. The Festival appeals to a broad cross-section of people—with presenters selected for their ideas, achievements and ability to communicate to a wide-ranging audience.
Media Contact:
Stephanie Apple
502-322-6632
sapple@preston-osborne.com
