Speaker Idea Submission

📅 Event Date: November 16, 2025

📍 Location: The Ritz Theater, Sanford, FL

Got a bold idea worth spreading?

TEDxLake Mary is looking for speakers who can deliver a focused, thought-provoking talk—8 minutes or less, no slides, just pure impact.

We want to hear from people with a specific message, a target audience, and a real solution to a pressing problem.

Whether you're a founder, educator, creator, or storyteller—if your idea starts with “What If…”, this stage is for you.

Theme: What If?

Every revolution began with two words:

What if we did things differently?

We’re inviting talks that explore possibility over limitation and vision over fear—whether it’s about mindset, society, identity, education, wellness, or community.

What You Need to Know:

Application Deadline: May 31, 2025
Speakers Announced: July 1st, 2025
Coaching Required: 2 hr/week once selected
Dress Rehearsal: Morning of event (Nov 16)
Only 12 spots available. Competition is strong. Coaching is included. Personality encouraged.

Please Do Not Submit If:

Your talk is purely motivational, promotional, or personal narrative
You plan to pitch a product, service, or cause
You cannot commit to rehearsals or coaching
As outlined in the TEDx content guidelines, we avoid political agendas, religion, commercial agendas, and unproven / minimally research-supported science (aka “pseudo science”).

We are looking for people who are:

Collaborative
Coachable
Committed

Your idea:

Is it new?
Is it interesting? (to a broad audience)
Is it factual and realistic? (Can your call to action be executed?)

Ready to speak?

Apply now with your idea worth spreading.

Let’s reimagine what’s possible—one “What If” at a time.

Apply Now!

Can I apply if I’m not from Lake Mary?

Yes, but we prioritize speakers who are connected to Central Florida—through community, work, or impact. Local voices take center stage.

Can students apply?

Absolutely! If you have a strong idea and the ability to commit to coaching and prep, we encourage students to apply.

Can I apply more than once or submit multiple ideas?

Please submit only one application with your strongest idea.

What happens after I apply?

You may be invited to a brief interview with our team. From there, final speaker selections will be announced by June 24, 2025.

If your talk is not selected for this year, you will receive an email notification. While we may not be able to provide individual feedback, please know that your idea is valued—and we encourage you to apply again in the future.

Will I get feedback if I’m not selected?

Due to the volume of applications, we cannot provide personalized feedback to every applicant—but we’re grateful for your interest and encourage you to reapply next year.

Is there a fee to apply or speak?

Nope. Speaking at TEDxLakeMary is completely free—but it does require time, effort, and a commitment to excellence.