I was pretty stoked yesterday when I found out that all 14 speakers videos from last years events were accepted on the TED platform, (not that I had any doubt that they would), but I was REALLY chuffed to find that of the 14 speakers they have selected 3 to be boosted with TED editorials and promoted globally by TED. This is a first in my experience. I have never had that many featured speakers in one event before. Ever! I think the subject matter has a big part of these selections, but every one of these speakers delivered at a high level. Congratulations to you all!

The Hamilton event was a spectacular success tonight. I was proud of all the speakers and the work your had obviously put in. In fact I was most impressed with a comment from Raymond who was in the audience. I have attended perhaps a dozen TEDx events that I have not been involved in organising, Raymond has attended at least twice that number and has always been a straight shooter in his feedback. After the event he said he turned up expecting an academic performance, and was pleased to find that this was a TEDx performance from every speaker! I take that as high praise! Not a lecture in sight! 😃 Well done everyone! I am looking forward to Tauranga on Thursday. 😎

If so, I have a favour to ask. (Not right now 😉). Please comment if you would be willing to have a Zoom with me and answer some questions about your experience going through the TEDx training with me. For example, I have included a video that I made with Lizzie about the pitching work I did with the Kokiri Startup Accelerator. Don't worry, you won't just be talking into a camera. It is a Zoom call where we will have a chat, and you will answer a few questions, and I will edit it later into a testimonial video. If you are up for it, please comment below, and we can arrange a time after the TEDx Events are done. Thanks! 😃

Updates on a couple of questions asked. Time in the Concert Chamber for Speakers: - Thursday morning this week is clear and speakers are welcome to drop in. The stage will not be set (as it's vocal exams happening this week) but the team can do a basic stage wash and face-light to give them a sense of being 'under lights'. Rehearsals: - Dress Rehearsals will be from 1pm on the day of the event and we will also be doing photography during this session (as we did last year). This is the same for both Hamilton and Tauranga. Each speaker will do a full run-through, but be aware that stage set up and lighting/audio will be tested and adjusted throughout. Also be sure to send me any slides you need this week.

Our final show played at the Meteor theatre last night to a sell-out crowd. It was a great crowd too, they came prepared to laugh! I am adding this to the Wins category because it is a step out of my comfort zone everytime I take the stage for improv, trusting myself to come up with, and articulate something that makes sense and makes people laugh. Last night was tough because I wasn't really feeling it, with a number of other projects coming to a crescendo this week. But my performance was still pretty good. 😉 Although, I did let my team do the singing when we drew a musical challenge! They were awesome!