TEDxVancouver is moving a big step up with a new venue that is over six times larger than its previous venue.
Organizers of the locally organized TEDxVancouver conference have announced that this year’s event on Saturday, November 14 will be held at Rogers Arena, the home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks. When the stadium is in a concert seating mode, the capacity of the venue increases to up to 19,000 spectators.
In contrast, prior TEDxVancouver events were held at the Queen Elizabeth Theatre and Orpheum Theatre, both holding a similar 2,700 seat capacity.
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But the venue choice is not about filling seats. Although it is a substantially larger venue, organizers maintain the venue choice aligns with this year’s theme and that they will be able to transform the space into a one-of-a-kind experience that TEDxVancouver events have always been known to be.
“The event will change what you understand to be a ‘stadium experience,'” organizers wrote on the TEDxVancouver website. “Customizing the arena to accommodate something as grand as what we have planned, featuring delectable local food, thought-provoking art, and a better networking experience, we’ll still be maintaining that intimate feeling that have made the past TEDxVancouver events so special.”
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TEDxVancouver’s venue choice coincides with the 20th anniversary of Rogers Arena – it first opened its doors in the fall of 1995. The stadium has held countless events and the area around the building has transformed through the years, which organizers note as a reason for their venue choice.
“The arena was also chosen because of its location,” organizers wrote. “Surrounding Rogers Arena is an evolving neighbourhood, having seen some major changes in the past few years, with many more to come looking forward.”
“It’s at the core of something exciting and electric, and its own identity is in the midst of a transformation.”
Three residential towers are being built around the perimeter of the arena, the viaducts could potentially be demolished to make way for new developments and additional park space and the Plaza of Nations site will be redeveloped. And of course, B.C. Place underwent a major refit and a sizeable casino-hotel resort is being built next to the stadium.
TEDxVancouver should not be confused for the official and global TED Conference, held annually at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
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Vancity Buzz is a proud media partner of TEDxVancouver.
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