This is a huge week for Fargo. With TEDxFargo on Thursday, July 23, people are flying in from all over the country and will be hanging in the city with us all week. Whether you’re a TEDxFargo ticket holder are not, these are events you won’t want to miss.
Right here is your ultimate guide to TEDxFargo week so you can get the most out of all the jam-packed awesomeness. Starting… now.
Wednesday, July 22
7:30-8:30am: E-Commerce Breakfast with Nathan Clark @ The Prairie Den ($10)
Nathan Clark began making marshmallows as a gift for his wife Jenn, and now together they craft and ship them across the country with Wondermade. They’ve even created a Fargo-dedicated marshmallow using real North Dakota honey: The Fargo Buzz marshmallow. He’ll be speaking about how he manages the e-commerce of marshmallows at this breakfast.
Ask Nathan: Why he’s been wearing red pants for 3 consecutive years.
8:00-8:45am: Tristan Pollock @ The Stage
By the time NDSU grad Tristan Pollock turned 28 last year, he had successfully co-founded an Airbnb-style storefront rental company (aptly named Storefront), raised $7.3 million in funding last April, and was recently named in Forbes Magazine’s 30 under 30 for 2015. Now he lives in Silicon Valley as an Entrepreneur in Residence at 500 Startups, the world’s most active micro VC. He’ll be speaking before 1 Million Cups about “Entrepreneurship, Creativity, and Social Change.”
Ask Tristan: The secret to how he crafted the most read email of all time for Best Buy, reaching over 23 million customers.
9:00-10:15am: 1 Million Cups @ The Stage: Nathan Clark & Kirk Anton
Every Wednesday, the community gathers at the Stage at Island Park for 1 Million Cups. It’s one of Fargo’s finest experiences. This week we’ll feature marshmallow mastermind Nathan Clark, telling the sweet story of how Wondermade began; Kirk Anton, who went from sending e-mails in a warehouse to running a successful company selling heat transfer products; and Random Acts of Art by Leoncarlo. Come early to check out 20 Below’s new coffee cart in the lobby, where we’ll have pay-it-forward coffee and a few surprises for you as well! REMINDER: It’s Wear-Your-Startup-T-Shirt-Day!
Ask Kirk: If he’s ever had a pedicure.
10:15-11:00am: Paul Shoemaker @ FM Area Foundation
Paul is the Founding President of Social Venture Partners International (SVPI) and was the Executive Connector of SVP Seattle for 17 years. In 2011 and 2012, Paul was named one of the “Top 50 Most Influential People in the Non-Profit Sector” by The NonProfit Times. He’ll be speaking about “Beyond Philanthropy,” and how to connect to people in a way that lets you change the world.
Ask Paul: About the time he wound up in Tokyo at a Social Venture Partners conference, and didn’t understand 99% of what was happening.
5:30-7:00pm: Startup Drinks @ The Prairie Den
Startup Drinks is like the evening party where all these cool people from the day events will come and hang out. This is a chance to ask them all those nifty prompts here in the article. Come join us for free appetizers, cash/credit bar, and a look at the new coworking space in downtown Fargo. It’s recently been completely and phenomenally redesigned.
Thursday, July 23
7:00am – 7:45am: AJ Leon @ The Prairie Den
Long ago, AJ Leon was a financial executive in Manhattan who decided to walk out and start over. Now he’s a world-traveling designer and leader of Misfit Incorporated, a group of philanthropic, philosophical artists. “I nomad around the world and make things happen,” he says. He also organizes Misfit Con in Fargo every year, choosing to fly in people from around the globe to make Fargo home for a few days. He’ll be speaking about “The Business of Doing Good.”
Ask AJ: About Shakespeare.
8:30 – 6:30 pm: TEDxFargo
TEDxFargo!!! This event is going to blow your mind. Get all you need to know, here.
Photos by J. Alan Paul Photography
