A global program. A local stage.
If you've ever watched a TED Talk on YouTube and wondered how it ended up there, this is your answer.
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of discovering and spreading ideas, 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 video 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.)
About TED
TED is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to discovering, debating and spreading ideas that spark conversation, deepen understanding and drive meaningful change. Our organization is devoted to curiosity, reason, wonder and the pursuit of knowledge, without an agenda. We welcome people from every discipline and culture who seek a deeper understanding of the world and connection with others, and we invite everyone to engage with ideas and activate them in your community.
TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, but today it spans a multitude of worldwide communities and initiatives exploring everything from science and business to education, arts and global issues. In addition to the TED Talks curated from our annual conferences and published on TED.com, we produce original podcasts, short video series, animated educational lessons (TED-Ed) and TV programs that are translated into more than 100 languages and distributed via partnerships around the world. Each year, thousands of independently run TEDx events. Through the Audacious Project, TED has helped catalyze $6.6 billion in funding for projects that support bold solutions to the world's most urgent challenges, working to make the world more beautiful, sustainable and just. In 2020, TED launched Countdown, an initiative to accelerate solutions to the climate crisis and mobilize a movement for a net-zero future, and in 2023 TED launched TED Democracy to spark a new kind of conversation focused on realistic pathways towards a more vibrant and equitable future. View a full list of TED's many programs and initiatives.
Frequently asked.
Is TEDxDallas a nonprofit?
TEDx events are nonprofit by nature, since organizers cannot personally profit. For the inaugural year, TEDxDallas operates under fiscal sponsorship by the Metrocrest Chamber Foundation, a 501(c)(3). All sponsor contributions are tax-deductible and managed by the Foundation.
How are speakers selected?
An independent Selection Committee reviews submissions from an open call, internal nominations, and direct outreach. The committee looks for ideas that fit the event theme and meet our published rubric, then meets to finalize selections. Sponsors and partners have no role in the process.
Speaker selections begin in July 2026 and the first wave of speaker reveals will be in August.
Can I attend the event?
Yes. Tickets go on sale in August 2026. A limited number of tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign up for updates to be notified the moment tickets go live.
Can my company sponsor the event?
Absolutely, and we'd love to talk. We have a range of sponsorship tiers plus in-kind partnerships, designed to fit organizations of every size. Becoming a sponsor means putting your brand alongside the region's most original ideas, and helping bring the maiden TEDxDallas to life. Explore sponsorship opportunities.
Will talks be available online?
Yes. Every talk from TEDxDallas will be professionally recorded and uploaded to the TEDx YouTube channel within 8 weeks of the event. Talks will also be embedded on this website and shared across social media.
How do I become a speaker?
The open call for speakers will launch in June 2026. We'll publish details and a submission form here. In the meantime, sign up for updates to be notified the moment the call opens.
Can I volunteer?
Absolutely. Volunteers are the heartbeat of every TEDx event. If you want to be part of sparking something big in Dallas, working alongside speakers, organizers, and a team of like-minded people, this is your invitation. See open roles and apply.