The inaugural TEDx Waihī Beach event has been hailed a major success after a packed crowd filled the Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services clubrooms for an evening of ideas, innovation and inspiration.
Held on May 9 at the Waihī Beach Surf Club, the event sold out within hours of tickets going on sale, with dozens of locals gathering for a night of short talks designed to challenge perspectives and spark conversation.
Organiser Cindy Clare said the aim was to bring thought-provoking ideas and meaningful discussion to the coastal community.
“TEDx is a series of community-driven short talks designed to spark conversation and shift perspective,” Clare said.
“And our speakers did just that.”
The speaker lineup featured a diverse range of voices, including disability advocate Julia Carvalho, ocean marathon swimmer Jono Ridler, B416 co-founder Anna Curzon, AgriSea chief executive Clare Bradley, preventative medicine specialist Louise Schofield and artificial intelligence expert John Ballinger.
Topics ranged from health and resilience to technology, sustainability and personal challenge, with the event drawing strong community support.
Because TEDx events operate under strict ticketing limits, only a limited number of seats were available. However, organisers say the talks were professionally recorded using high-quality audio-visual equipment and will eventually be made publicly available on the TEDx website.
Clare said that would allow the wider community to experience the talks, even if they missed out on tickets.
“We’re hugely grateful to all our sponsors and supporters for enabling us to bring such a vibrant and inspirational event to our community,” she said.
Sponsors included SMYD and Design House Architecture, alongside support from LIVE Well, the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund, the Waihī Beach Community Board and Waihī Beach Lifeguard Services.
Organisers say the strong turnout and enthusiastic response suggest TEDx Waihī Beach may become a regular fixture on the local events calendar.
“If the energy in that surf club on the night is anything to go by, this won’t be a one-off,” Clare said.
“Waihī Beach has found its voice, and it turns out, it has plenty to say.”
On the World stage!!