The audience of 1000 will include business icons, great authors, renowned scientists, intellectuals, philanthropists, top entrepreneurs, designers, artists, investors, architects and many others. It will include approximately 500 CEOs, Presidents, entrepeneurs, and community leaders; 30 Nobel, Pulitzer, Polk and MacArthur prize winners; 200 heads of cultural organizations; top artists and performing artists and 40 accomplished students – among many others.

550 top students and teachers will attend the separate TEDxYouth@Midwest event on Saturday, Oct 15.

Connecting attendees is a major focus and name badges are designed to enable people to meet. Like TED badges, they are color coded and have three discussion topics to start a conversation. There is ample time during the long breaks and meals for everyone to meet, share ideas and build something new. It’s not just about the great speakers because the attendees are every bit as amazing. At TEDx events, everyone talks to everyone, and the many organizers and friends of TEDx are constantly introducing people.