(This post is the first in our new blog series, Meet the Planner. If you would like to be one of our featured event planners, send an email to blog@messageblocks.com)
Meet Charlie Wollborg. By day, he’s the Chief Troublemaker at Curve Detroit, a marketing firm that challenges conventional wisdom. When he heard that TED was looking to expand in 2009, he knew instantly he wanted to bring TEDx to Detroit. He’s now planning his 6th production of TEDxDetroit. It’s the best and worst day of his year. It’s his well-oiled machine. Here’s an inside look from the man behind the X.
Interview with Charlie Wollborg
Tell us a little about yourself and how you ended up planning TEDxDetroit.
I run a marketing firm, Curve Detroit, and have been a fan of TED for as long as I can remember. When they announced TEDx in 2009, I approached them about bringing it to Detroit. I asked them, “Who’s the committee?” and they said, “You are.” With the help of Derek Mehraban, Catherine Juon, and Terry Bean, the four of us put everything together in a couple of weeks.
In our first year, we held TEDxDetroit in a lecture room at Lawrence Tech. We’ve switched up the location every year, exploring lots of cool places in Detroit like the Gem Theatre and the Detroit Institute of Arts.
How has it evolved?
Today, TEDxDetroit is produced by a board of 12 talented people coordinating everything from technology to music to hospitality. There haven’t been any changes in our core mission. We’re still shining a light on cool things in Detroit and bringing together technologists, artists, educators, and entrepreneurs. It’s a strange mix of people on stage and in the audience, about 1500 people.
Do you have a favorite speaker?
It's so hard to pick a favorite because of the "Forest Gumpy" nature of the program – you never know what you're going to get. Some of the talks are hilarious, some are deep, some are jaw dropping. DIY Neuroscientist Greg Gage of Backyard Brains wowed everyone last year with his Robo Cockroach . Brian Mulloy of Detroit Drunken Historical Society shared Chief Pontiac's fascinating backstory. Dawn White of Accio Energy changed directions with her bladeless wind energy. Andy Didorosi of Detroit Bus Company fired up the crowd to call the world's bluff. Plus our interviews with kid entrepreneurs are always fun. Super Business Girl Asia Newson had everyone sold the moment she took the stage.
[Watch Greg Gage put a microchip on a cockroach below.]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfVlmtC8Ews
Do you have any interesting or funny stories to share?
In Year 1, our nametags didn’t arrive until after the first speaker was on stage. In Year 2, the Detroit Film Theatre came in and demanded that we get out of the theatre because they were double-booked. In Year 3, one of our speakers was flying in from Grand Rapids and called me to ask, “Where can I land a helicopter?”
How does Message Blocks help you plan your events?
Message Blocks acts as a glue, helping when all those pieces, like registration and scheduling, get out of hand. It’s nice having some extra spackle; it’s like having an extra person on your team.
Any tips you’d like to share with event planners?
Start early and get more sponsors than you need. More time = more money.
Thanks Charlie! For the latest updates from Charlie Wollborg, find him on Twitter @CharlieCurve. To watch more TEDx Talks, visit the official YouTube channel.
TEDxDetroit will be returning this fall at a new, undisclosed location. Can you guess where it will be?