Welcome back, TEDx-ers!

On March 5th, TEDxUTAustin held our 2022 conference, Blueprints. With nine diverse speakers, a company showcase, and performances from the acapella group, One Note Stand, and a dance group from the University of Texas, Blueprints had so many opportunities for learning, networking, and fun! We had a great time putting everything together and it was so satisfying to see our hard work pay off, but the primary purpose of our conference was to provide attendees with an experience they’ll never forget.

When our team talked to some attendees to see how they were enjoying Blueprints, their opinions and takeaways from the conference quickly proved how they were learning to draft and become their own Blueprints.

Our first in-person conference since the pandemic began, Blueprints represented a new start: a new draft for our new normal. 

Featuring unique groups like Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (TREL) and the University of Texas radio station, KVRX, the company showcase was a tangible representation of the innovation TEDxUTAustin instills in listeners through TED Talks. Coupled with inspiring talks combining ceramics and healthcare with Emily Yan and combating workplace burnout with Gloria Chan Packer, this interactive segment of Blueprints sparked conversations and reminded us of the community we can find in environments of progress and creativity. “In the past couple of years with the pandemic, we haven’t had any big in-person gatherings,” said Evie Shaw. “Those in-person interactions — such a special thing.” 

Seeing people share their most passionate and vulnerable beliefs in-person and getting to interact with others inspired by the same message is an experience like no other. Every year, TEDxUTAustin strives to foster a space full of innovative ideas that push the boundaries of the status quo, and Blueprints was no exception. 

When asked what he was most excited about, former TEDxUTAustin President Abhishek Dasgupta shared that it’s “interesting to see how the talks reflect the current state of our world. Each year, the subjects and the severity of the content reflects current events, what we’ve learned since last year, and you see the ideologies build on each other.” With thought-provoking talks like Scott Tinker’s concept of not-so-renewable energy, Karen Willcox’s “digital twins,” and Sanika Bhave’s exploration of the harmful effects of e-waste, Blueprints combined advancing technologies with practical solutions and applications. 

Prompting listeners to take action in their own lives, TED Talks make the ordinary inspirational and problems solvable. But ideas and conversations aren’t the only things that go into creating a Blueprint.

Creating the right atmosphere at this year’s conference was key to bringing Blueprints to life for attendees. The stage, photo-ops, and company showcase deliberately focused on providing guests with chances to immerse themselves in our conference’s ideology. 

Simple color schemes, modern designs, and space utilization allowed for a professional, yet welcoming environment. Coupled with these visual elements, “seeing the level at which the speakers have prepared, the conference has come together from a production standpoint, and how the ideas have impacted people” made Blueprints an overall compelling and memorable event, according to Dasgupta.

Learning from others’ Blueprints how to be your own and fostering meaningful conversations surrounding tangible action is a key part of TEDxUTAustin. While the conference may be over, the ideas shared will continue to become part of these attendees’ Blueprints being continuously drafted.

If you missed out on attending Blueprints this year and want to have this unforgettable experience, subscribe to our newsletter and follow our Instagram for updates on TEDxUTAustin’s 2023 conference.

Stay ConnecTED!

Caroline Harrison