MIKE TURNER - www.audiosocket.com

What is your profession?
I’m the DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE MUSIC SERVICES FOR AUDIOSOCKET IN LA. We find and negotiate rights for music in all kinds of mediums: film, TV, commercial, gaming, etc. our special niche in the market place is an advanced proprietary technology for searching, organizing and delivering audio content across a super flexible array of digital and interactive platforms.

Have you been to any TED events before?
Never.

How have you experienced TED in the past?
Online, I’ve seen the videos, usually a friend sends me a link to one that they find particularly interesting.

How does this event compare to the TED you’ve experienced?
Much more three dimensional.

What do you anticipate for the rest of the day?
I’m looking forward to the breaks where I can chat with more people that are here. The first few talks were super fascinating, but I want to meet some of the people here and have my blown even more - harder & faster.

Do you think today will impact your life?
Eff yes to the 10th power.

How do you think this will impact your life?
I hope to discover how to obtain tiger blood & Adonis’ DNA.

Marni Landes, Social Media and Community Manager, Goldstar; Blogger at www.happygomarni.com @happygomarni
 
I have to give a big Thank You to Jim McCarthy, our CEO, because he’s the reason I am a TED fan. A couple of years ago, when he first started following TED (and by the way, he’s a super-gung-ho TEDster today), he got the entire company’s ears to perk up as he shared interesting tidbits he was learning from this wonderful organization.
 
Now, I’m looking forward to attending my first ever TED event and I won’t need to lean on Jim for insight. The training wheels are off! Well, knowing me, and knowing Jim, I’ll probably still lean a bit since we’ll have different takeaways from the talks. Discussion is a good thing! But the point is, I’ll be sitting in the theater, quenching my thirst for inspiration and thoughtful ideas, and meeting really interesting people who are all gathered for a similar purpose.
 
It’s so easy to be complacent and stick with what you know and avoid change. But where’s the fun in that? So thank goodness for TED. Plus, I hear Popchips will make an appearance. Mmm Mmmm. I can’t wait for TEDxGoldstar!

Rebekah Iliff, Co-founder & CEO, talkTECH Communications, www.talkTECHcomm.com, @ttcrebekah

We are so excited to be involved with TEDxGoldstar and could not be more thrilled about the opportunity to join L.A.’s “best” for a day packed with idea incubation, creative thought sharing, and like-minded networking.  The platform that TED provides is not only innovative and provocative, but I believe necessary to the cycle of creation to consumption.  Can’t wait for March 2nd!

Alexandra Spunt, co-author “No More Dirty Looks”,  @nodirtylooks, www.nomoredirtylooks.com
 
Everything about TEDxGoldstar excites me: meeting interesting and interested people, while getting to hear these incredible speakers. It sounds like a bit of a dream day to me—like school for grownups but with the guarantee of inspiring teachers.
 
I think it’s especially important in Los Angeles, where everyone can feel a little disconnected from one another, to have platforms like TEDx. I love the Internet and online communities and all that, but I’m excited to exchange ideas the old fashioned way.
 
I’m definitely looking to learn some things, which is a likely outcome. But I’m also hoping to be surprised in some way. We shall see…

Tommy King, Director of Communication at Goldstar @1TommyKing www.goldstar.com

I have been really fortunate to be able to dive head first into TED this year - and have it be part of my job!  It started out just watching the TED videos online, but once I started meeting other “TEDsters” face to face, it really clicked.  Watching TED speakers and presenters in a shared environment and then discussing the sessions with like-minded people within the community is the combination that a lot of people miss out on.  It really completes the TED experience.  TED to me, is all about challenging myself to take a TED idea from a completely unrelated industry and apply it to what I do, both personally and professionally.

All of us here at Goldstar are excited to take the day and immerse ourselves in the far-out thinking that occurs during TED events.  We’re even more excited to pass that experience on to our friends, partners and members with TEDxGoldstar.  I’m looking forward to seeing everyone on March 2nd, please introduce yourself! 

Gretchen Schneider, talkTECH Communications @gretawells http://buzzrocketblog.com, www.isawjesusinla.com

It’s extremely important for innovators and thought leaders to have a platform - such as TEDxGoldstar - to share ideas. Even attending a small tweet up allows me to think and operate in a more well-rounded manner. So something on this scale really does a lot to shape how we think and make our ideas better. What a great sounding board we will have!

I work in social media, which means constantly communicating with a lot of people, but online. So I am looking forward some face-to-face time with creative, forward-thinking people. This is what inspires me.

Meghan Teela, Strategic Planner, Zambezi, Inc. | www.Zambezi-la.com

I am a huge fan of anything ‘TED’.  I’m excited for TEDxGoldstar not only to hear the speakers, but also to mingle with the other attendees.  Sharing ideas is integral to the creative, innovative process.  Platforms like TEDx provide an accessible, fun, engaging opportunity to do this.

I hope to learn something new, meet other interesting Angelenos, and ultimately be inspired so that I can continue to be a creative force.