With the sold-out TED 2015 conference tickets clocking in at over $9,000 a pop, many of us will simply have to look elsewhere to find our inspiration. Lucky for us, BIL will be returning to Vancouver with a wild mix of technologists, scientists, artists, hackers and participants ready to share big ideas on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22, at The Imperial (319 Main Street).
While analogous to the TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference’s 20-minute talk format, BIL is celebrated as the cool, populist unconference that explores a wide variety of topics without limitations or censorship. Admission is also by donation, which makes it easy for anyone to attend.
Image: Agnes Cariboo
“Unlike TED, our event is open to the public, widely accessible and fully participant driven. When participants arrive at the venue, they help with the creation of the event from setting up chairs to organizing the day’s schedule and everything in between,” says Michael Cummings, BIL co-founder. “Everyone at the event actively shapes its outcome. It’s about building community and taking ownership of the event as their own.”
The jam-packed weekend will feature brilliant emerging and established forward thinkers. This year’s speaker topics include innovation, space exploration, robotics, social entrepreneurship, 3D printing, food and agriculture, education, art and more. Participants can also look forward to breakout sessions, live music and BIL Bodies, which focuses on yoga, plyometrics and meditation.
Image: BIL
Organizers are currently seeking to secure more speakers for the event. There are spots for over 60 speakers on two to three simultaneously running stages. Previous BIL speakers include: Luke Nosek (Founder of Paypal); George Whitesides (CEO of Virgin Galactic); Blake Mycoskie (TOMS Shoes); Brad Templeton (Electronic Frontier Foundation), and Gayle Karen Young (Wikimedia).
“Anyone can sign up to talk. If you are knowledgeable or incredibly passionate about a certain topic that you feel confident speaking about, then reach out and let us know,” says Cummings. “We would love to add you to our incredible line up of diverse speakers.”
BIL Conference 2015 Vancouver
When: March 21 and 22
Where: The Imperial – 319 Main Street, Vancouver
Website: 2015.bilconference.com
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