15 Years of Ideas Worth Spreading: The Journey of TEDxMelbourne

In 2009, TEDxMelbourne was preparing to host one of the very first officially licensed TEDx events in the world. I was fortunate to be part of that moment, serving as the event’s first sponsor in December of that year. However, as fate would have it, Cheng Lau, TEDxMelbourne’s inaugural Licensee, faced a tough decision: to organise the next event or prioritise her upcoming wedding. Understandably, she chose her wedding.

I couldn’t let such an incredible community fade away. These were people who were future-focused, open-minded, and optimistic. So, I stepped in as Licensee, and from that moment, my mission became ensuring that TEDxMelbourne continued to thrive and embody those same values.

Inspiring ideas at center stage

What makes TED (and TEDx) so unique is its emphasis on the idea, rather than the individual presenting it. While we do occasionally see well-known figures on stage, it’s equally likely that the speaker is someone unfamiliar to us. This approach allows the audience to focus on the message itself, free from the distractions of fame or personality.

Since that first event in 2009, TEDxMelbourne has delivered over 30 events and experiences, all driven by the mission to explore “Ideas Worth Spreading.”Our audience has grown from just a few hundred attendees to nearly 2,500 people in the years leading up to COVID. Yet, our true passion lies in creating unique, engaging, and intimate experiences that resonate deeply with our attendees. We aim to inspire people to rethink and reimagine the world around them.

For us, it’s vital to unpack ideas that matter to the people of Melbourne—delving deeply into topics and exploring them from multiple perspectives. It reminds me of Derek Sivers’ thought-provoking TED Talk, “Weird or Just Different”. In the talk, Derek challenges us to reconsider the soundness of our logic and understand that our perspective is not the only one.

Reflecting on the past 15 years, I’m humbled by the countless volunteers, the generosity of our speakers, and the extraordinary community that has supported TEDxMelbourne. As a not-for-profit, we’ve always worked hard to make our events as accessible as possible to as many people as possible.

I’m immensely grateful for the amazing people who’ve been part of this journey. Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue building experiences that inspire, challenge, and connect us for the next 15 years and beyond.

Jon Yeo

Licensee – TEDxMelbourne

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