Perth Voice Interactive

TEDx is coming to Perth concert hall, as long as the organisers of the techy conference can get organic gluten-free vegetarian food options and high-speed internet at the new venue.

Technology, Entertainment and Design conferences first started in 1984 with the tagline “ideas worth spreading”.

Notable TED talkers have included Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, with speeches addressing revolutionary ways to treat phantom limb syndrome, a presentation on weird sea animals, and a guide on how to completely dry hands with only one sheet of paper towel.

Local, independently organised off-shoots called TEDx events have been held at UWA’s Octagon theatre since 2012.

With the event gaining popularity, the organisers went looking for new digs. Perth city council cooed a siren song, offering to cover most costs associated with hiring out the Perth concert hall: renting the venue normally costs $32,000 but the PCC looks likely to kick in $25,000 (the maximum TEDx can get from any single sponsor under its licence).

Proving the California-born event is the hipsterist thing on Earth, the local TEDx organisers have two concerns with the Perth concert hall location.

First they want to bring in their own preferred caterer Katrina Sykes, who specialises in local produce and organic, vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Secondly they’re concerned about getting enough internet capacity to allow the event to be livestreamed.

While TED has become an internet favourite for its quirky informative presentations, the non-profit has also copped criticism for not paying speakers. Defenders reckon the honour of being invited to speak outweighs the lack of a pay cheque.

by DAVID BELL