WILMINGTON, DELAWARE (July 20, 2017) – TEDxWilmington, with support from AAA, is holding perhaps the first TEDxSalon in the world dedicated exclusively to exploring the future transportation on Tuesday, October 17.

The theme of the Salon is, “Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? The Transformation of Transportation.” AAA and TEDxWilmington are issuing a call for speakers to explore the implications of the changing transportation landscape.

“We intend to have some of the most innovative thinkers and speakers in the world to share their 'ideas worth spreading' about transportation on the TEDx stage,” said Cathy Rossi, Vice President of Public and Government Affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “The advent of the automobile changed society in ways even Henry Ford couldn’t imagine. Now, we’re looking at technology and ideas that will change the way we live, work, and travel.”

“When AAA expressed interest about sponsoring a TEDxWilmingtonSalon exploring transportation, I quickly saw the world of possibilities we could explore in this area,” said Ajit Mathew George, organizer and executive producer of TEDxWilmington. “I am confident this event will enlighten, entertain, and inspire everyone from daily commuters to transportation engineers to car designers to software developers as we explore the many aspects of the future of transportation. This Salon will have two sessions and several speakers in each session.”

Rossi said Wilmington, Delaware is the perfect location for this event on transportation.

“In addition to being the home of AAA Mid-Atlantic’s headquarters, Delaware is where the nation’s first divided highway was being constructed more than 100 years ago,” said Rossi, referring to Route 13/the DuPont Highway.

CALL FOR SPEAKERS: The TEDxWilmington selection committee will continue reviewing applications for speakers until the August 16 deadline – anyone interested in applying can go to https://www.TEDxWilmington.com/events/transportation/

AAA has also arranged for a livestream of the event.

For tickets and livestreaming information visit: TEDxWilmington.com.

WHAT: TEDx Salon: Who’s in the Driver’s Seat? The Transformation of Transportation

WHEN: Tuesday, October 17 – 1:00 – 5:00 PM (EST)
WHERE: Wilmington, Delaware – and on Livestream.

This event will be open to credentialed media, more information to follow – contact Ken Grant at KGrant@aaamidatlantic.com or 302-299-4251 with any questions.

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About AAA

AAA provides automotive, travel and insurance services to 57 million members in the United States.  AAA advocates for the safety and mobility of its members and has been committed to outstanding road service for more than 100 years.  The not-for-profit, fully tax-paying member organization and federation of motor clubs in the U.S. works on behalf of motorists, who can map a route, find local gas prices, discover discounts, book a hotel and track roadside assistance service with the AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android.  For more information, visit www.AAA.com.

About TEDx, x= independently organized event

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TED Talks, video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)

About TEDxWilmington

Ajit Mathew George was granted the TEDx license in the fall of 2011. Between 2012 and June 7, 2017, TEDxWilmington showcased 225 speakers who gave 218 TEDx talks. These talks collectively have had over 12 million views on the TEDx YouTube channel as of June 29, 2017. Magic Dust, LLC, produces all of the 12 TEDxWilmington events in 2017 under the direction of George, who serves as the executive producer and sprinkles magic dust to make sure each event is very special. Over 50 people have volunteered to be part of the 2017 TEDxWilmington tribe. TEDxWilmington has invited creators, catalysts, entrepreneurs, artists, technologists, designers, scientists, thinkers and doers to make a contribution and support what they are most passionate about—positive ideas for the world and Delaware. For a full list of programming, visit www.tedxwilmington.com.

About TED

TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or fewer) delivered by today's leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED's annual conference in Vancouver, British Columbia, and made available, free, on TED.com. TED speakers have included Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Elizabeth Gilbert, Sir Richard Branson, Monica Lewinsky, Philippe Starck, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Sal Khan and Daniel Kahneman.

TED's open and free initiatives for spreading ideas include TED.com, where new TED Talk videos are posted daily; the Open Translation Project, which provides subtitles and interactive transcripts as well as translations from thousands of volunteers worldwide; the educational initiative TED-Ed; the annual million-dollar TED Prize, which funds exceptional individuals with a "wish," or idea, to create change in the world; TEDx, which provides licenses to thousands of individuals and groups who host local, self-organized TED-style events around the world; and the TED Fellows program, which selects innovators from around the globe to amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.