About TEDxArendal
First off… let’s talk about TED and TEDx
TED – Technology, Entertainment, Design
TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. Starting as a four-day conference in California 30 years ago, TED has grown to support its mission with multiple initiatives. The two annual TED Conferences invite the world’s leading thinkers and doers to speak for 18 minutes or less. Many of these talks are then made available, free, at TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Nandan Nilekani, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.
TED’s media initiatives include:
- TED.com, where new TED Talks are posted daily
- TED Translators, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from volunteers worldwide
- the educational initiative TED-Ed
TED has also established:
- the Audacious Project, which takes a collaborative approach to fund ideas with the potential to create change at a thrilling scale
- TEDx, which supports individuals or groups in hosting local, self-organized TED-style events around the world
- the TED Fellows program, helping world-changing innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities

x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks videos and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection.
These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
And then: TEDxArendal!
Meet our management
Although our volunteers are our pride and joy, knowing who runs this event is important too. Meet our management!

Linn Juul-Petersen
Event organizer

Erik B. Nilsen
Co Organizer
Our executive committee
Our executive commitee includes our management and some of our partners who together functions as a board of directors.
They oversee our event so that each TEDxArendal is as unique and inspiring as the last.

Didrik Rannekleiv
Sparebanken Sør

Bjørnar Larsen
DNB
Sissel Rogne
Havforskningsinstituttet

Geir Arntzen Andrew
Frameworks
Gøril Hannås
UiA
Jeanne Mette Goderstad
SSHF

Robert C. Nordli
Arendal kommune

Anne Cathrine Haugland
Arendal kommune
Our concept team
TEDxArendal is more than just the TEDtalks. Our concept team is responsible for giving you, as an attendee, an experience from the moment you walk through the door, and be fully immersed in TEDx during the entire event.

Grete
Mira Mare

Thomas
Kongsberg Gruppen

Dag
D3

Brit Maria
Arendal kommune

Shiuan-Yi
Gard

Mona
Mona Hauglid Foto

Birgit
Asplan Viak

Franka
Franke Fleckenstein

Tove
Tove Hardaway
Our program committee
The employees and volunteers in our program committee decides which topics are to be presented during TEDxArendal.
Each year they narrow down a list of candidates to decide this years ideas that are worth spreading.

Erik
Arendal kommune

Tonje
Egde

Parvaneh
UiA

Ståle
Innoventi

Alireza
Nøsted &

Alf
MyOnvent

Fredrik
Uveil

Jon
Jonensor.com
Our presenters
Our presenters string together the event, introducing speakers and relaying information during TEDxArendal. They are our organizations face outwards for the attendees.

Simon Cole

Yvonne Neilson

Danait Haile
All portraits on this page were taken by Mona Hauglid – a member of the concept team and also one of our event photographers.