TEDx COUNTDOWN FAQ

RESOURCES 1

GENERAL QUESTIONS 1

GETTING STARTED 3

TEDx COUNTDOWN FOR BUSINESS 4

TEDx COUNTDOWN FOR SCHOOLS 5

GETTING THE WORD OUT 5

COMMUNITY IMPACT 6

TEDx ORGANIZER QUESTIONS 6

RESOURCES
As you start planning your event, here are some resources to guide you:
● Register to host a TEDxCountdown event
● How-to guide
● Naming guidelines
● Information session recording
○ FULL version featuring Christiana Figueres
○ EDITED version
● Training session recording

GENERAL QUESTIONS

What is a TEDx Countdown event?

A TEDx event is a local (or virtual) gathering where live TED-like talks and performances are shared with
the community. TEDx events are fully planned and coordinated independently, on a
community-by-community basis. The content and design of each TEDx event is unique and developed
independently, but all of them have features in common, which include:

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 ● TED's format: A suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances that
are idea-focused, and cover a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder –
and provoke conversations that matter.
● Diversity of topics: All TEDx events present multiple issues and a diversity of voices from many
disciplines.
● Community-driven and bias-free content: A TEDx event is organized by volunteers from the local
community, and just like TED events, it lacks any commercial, religious or political agenda. Its
goal is to spark conversation, connection and community.

For Countdown, TEDx has relaxed its rules, allowing anyone, including businesses, city halls, mayors
offices, town councils or local community groups, to apply to host an event of varying formats – from
watch parties, to more traditional TEDx events with live speakers to volunteer activations. You have the
opportunity to curate the content from the Countdown Global Launch at your own TEDxCountdown
event. Watch this info session to find out more about a TEDxCountdown event.

What does the content for Global Launch consist of?

Through five curated sessions (described below) we’ll combine TED's signature blend of actionable and
research-backed ideas, cutting-edge science, and moments of wonder and inspiration.

Session 1: Climate — Where we are and why we need to act

● Countdown: Here’s what it is and why we are doing it
● Climate science and the climate crisis: Where are we today?
● The Race to Zero: What do we need to do and when?

Session 2: The path to resilient, regenerative economies

● Putting climate back on the political and social agenda
● A safer, cleaner, fairer future for people and the planet
● What businesses can do — and are doing — to transform and transition

Session 3: The future of energy, transportation and materials

● How rapidly can we switch to 100% clean power?
● How can we upgrade the way that we move people and things?
● How can we reimagine and remake the stuff around us?

Session 4: Fairness, Food and Nature

● Why climate justice matters
● How can we spark a worldwide shift to healthier food systems?
● How do we better protect and re-green the earth?

Session 5: What’s your role?

● Thinking long-term about climate change
● Getting involved, staying inspired, and rallying others to take part
● Stepping up at work and at home

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GETTING STARTED

When will my event be approved?

The TEDx team will do their best to get back to you within 4 days of applying.

What is the deadline to apply to be a TEDxCountdown host?

We recommend you apply as soon as possible in order to participate in trainings and receive resources in
time to help you host a fantastic event!

Is there a fee involved for hosting a TEDx Countdown event?

Registering to host a TEDxCountdown event is free of charge.

Can you tell us more about the timing of the program?

On 10.10.2020 at 11am to 4pm US Eastern Time, Countdown will launch globally with a virtual event.
● Each session is 60 minutes. You will be able to choose which segments resonate with you and
curate your event around it
● Local/virtual events can take place from 11.00am US Eastern Time 10.10.2020 onwards

Can my organization host more than one local TEDx Countdown event?
Yes, you can host multiple events over a period of time in one location or virtually, using your registered
event name. Where possible, we ask that you apply for each event separately, and we will issue you a
separate licence for each.

Organizations with multiple chapters can host individual events in multiple locations. Each event will
require its own license and tailored name, in the format TEDxOrganizationLocation e.g.
“TEDxSkollSydney” or “TEDxSkollNewYork”. Please indicate this in your application form.

How do I name my local event if it is virtual?

Most events will be virtual. Your event name should refer to a specific location-based community, school
or organization name. For example, a local community event could be titled “TEDxSydney”, or a school
event, “TEDxCarmelHighSchool”.

This will help your audience connect with the event, understand its point of difference and origin, and –
if local climate solutions are featured – where they come from.

If your event is representing a registered nonprofit organization, you can co-brand your Countdown
event using that name, e.g. “TEDxSkoll”. For businesses, you can use your organization name, e.g.
“TEDxJNJ”.

See naming guidelines here.

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What is the best tool for organizing a virtual event?
We recommend Zoom, but you are welcome to use alternate platforms that you are comfortable with
and work best for your audience. Please do not host your live event on YouTube, as this is where the
primary Countdown stream will be hosted, and multiple public streams may lead to your audience not
finding your specific event.

What support is provided to host a TEDx Countdown event?

To help make your event successful, the Countdown and TEDx teams will provide the following resources
after you sign up:
● Training: virtual sessions about how to organize a great virtual or in-person TEDx Countdown
event. Here is the latest training session recording.
● Toolkits: a host guide with discussion topics and program details, as well as a design identity kit
with graphics to use for your event’s digital and physical spaces.

Countdown is not able to provide any direct funding to host TEDx Countdown events, but this doesn’t
mean that you have to pay all costs associated with the event. TEDx events are often based on different
sponsorship or fundraising models. To learn more about TEDx partnerships, check out this sponsorship
section of the TEDx organizer guide.

What languages will the content be available in?

The content will be available in 9 languages. Chinese (Mandarin), Spanish, English, Hindi, French, Arabic,
Russian, Portuguese (Brazilian), Italian.

For any other languages we haven’t covered, please see a step-by-step guide on translating TEDx talks.

I'm keen to find other organizers in my area, how do I do that?

In early September the Countdown website will feature a map displaying local TEDx Countdown events
and how to contact them.

When will I receive the content? How do I curate the content for my event?
You will receive a link to download the content 24 hours before the ‘live’ event on 10.10.2020. You can
then curate your event by sharing the content by itself or alongside your content using video
conferencing software, such as Zoom. You can host the full 5 hours of the content or choose which
sessions you would like to share.

TEDx COUNTDOWN FOR BUSINESS

As a company how can I get involved?

You have the opportunity to register as a TEDxCountdown host, and bring your employees into the
conversation on or after 10.10.2020. Hosting is free of charge. If you choose to be a TEDx Countdown
host, you can create your own virtual or in-person experiences for employees in the days/weeks

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following 10.10.2020. These events can take any shape – from small virtual or in person meetings to
larger Townhalls.

Our workforce is spread around the world, and to take advantage of Countdown’s Content, we need to
share it over a series of virtual gatherings and Townhalls over several weeks. Can we do so using our
TEDx Countdown licence?
You are welcome to host multiple events from 10.10.2020 onwards, for internal audiences only.

Can a company without a sustainable mission organize a TED gathering?

We encourage as many companies as possible to commit and take action, and we recognize that part of
the process is to engage and learn. You can use this opportunity to further an internal conversation or to
start one!

Please see this link for ideas on what to do in your company and feel free to reach out to
[email protected] if your business would like more support organizing it’s TEDx
Countdown event.

For the business license, is there any difference compared with normal business license TEDx if we’d
like to host in the company?
Traditionally businesses pay a fee to host their own TEDx event. However, we have waived the business
license fee for TEDx Countdown events to help facilitate important conversations about climate action in
as many businesses around the world as possible. Please note that TEDx Countdown events held by
businesses are internal only.

TEDx COUNTDOWN FOR SCHOOLS

I'm a university student – and don’t belong to any organization/company – can I still host an event?
You can organize an event for friends and family, or for your local area community, or school or
university. The community you host the event for informs the name of the event, e.g. if it’s for your
university and you attend Utah State University, then you could host TEDxUSU.

Would this be appropriate for a TEDxKids community to view or get involved?

Yes – all TEDx communities are welcome to participate.

GETTING THE WORD OUT

By when can we have the design and branding kit for the countdown?
The design kit will be available to registered events by August 14th.

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Are we able to use org branding or does it have to be TEDx branded?
The event will use TEDx Countdown branding from the design kit, and you are free to create more social
media activations around this campaign. See the Countdown website for poster examples to use and
share. So long as the logo is correct, you can brand as you please.

How will TED promote my local event?

Local events will be listed on the Countdown website, and we will be promoting your events across our
social media channels.

COMMUNITY IMPACT

How will original talks from our local TEDx Countdown event be shared?
Once you’ve edited your original local talks, you’re able to share them via the TEDx Media Uploader. This
will publish the talks to the official TEDx Talks channel on YouTube (26 million+ subscribers) and also to
TED.com where the talk will have its own unique talk page. Please see Upload your videos.

The full length talks cannot be published on any other platform. You can distribute up to a 30-second
excerpt from your original talks in other media, including documentaries, promo videos, TV segments,
and podcasts.

How can I connect my event to local action?

As a TEDx Countdown host you are a mission-critical ambassador for Countdown. There are a few ways
you can accelerate climate action locally – including encouraging your attendees to get involved at their
workplace and in your city or community. We’ll also be sharing additional ways individuals can step up
closer to the event!

TEDx ORGANIZER QUESTIONS

Can we still have our annual TEDx community event if we host a Countdown viewing?
Yes. You can still have your annual TEDx community event as well as a TEDx Countdown event.

What happens to my event name after the event? Are you able to continue or will all information be
deleted after?
If you’d like to continue building a TEDx community after your event, simply apply here.

I've been approved for a license and I don't see it showing up on my TEDx profile – how come?
Countdown is a separate initiative, and your TEDx Countdown event will not appear in your TED.com
profile. Your registration email is confirmation of your participation.

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Can TEDxCountdown license holders create an event page similar to TEDx pages on TED website ?
As Countdown is a separate initiative, there won’t be individual event pages on the TED website.
Countdown’s website will feature an event map, and you’ll be able to share a link to your own event
website next to your event’s link on the map.

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