Chicago Ideas Week will be an annual event to bring the world's best thinkers, creators, and doers to Chicago to share their ideas and inspire Chicagoans to think innovatively about present challenges and future opportunities. Inspired by the TED conferences, the goal is to energize the city by presenting ideas by both local and international creative and entrepreneurial leaders, and highlight Chicago as a center for innovation. For one week, people from Chicago and the Midwest will hear stimulating speakers, discuss ideas, identify common interests on which to base collaborations, and learn about innovations that may be applicable to local issues.
Chicago Ideas Week includes three sets of inter-related events: (1) speeches designed to highlight innovation through presentations by local, national, and international speakers and performers. These will be presented in partnership with Chicago institutions such as museums, theatres, libraries, universities, and other civic organizations (October 10-16); (2) TEDxMidwest (October 13-14); and (3) TEDxKids/Midwest (October 15).
More information can be found on the Chicago Ideas Week website.