TEDx speakers named for UNBC event

The first two names have been announced for Prince George’s next TEDx event.

One will be one of the featured keynote speakers and the second is the event’s master of ceremonies.

The event is set for Nov. 17 at UNBC’s Canfor Theatre.

“TEDxUNBC will be showcasing Shawn Caldera as our first speaker and Wil Fundal as our MC,” said Leah Labarrere, president of the TEDx organizing committee for the UNBC event.

“This year’s speakers will address their version of Destination: Future. More speakers will be announced weekly on our website, Facebook, and Instagram.”

TED Talks are carefully selected speeches presented by authorities in their field. TEDx events are those operated by independent local organizations but in conjunction with the worldwide TED organization.

“At a TEDx event, TED Talks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection,” said Labarrere. “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.”

“Caldera is the owner and operator of Volcanic Gaming, one of the first Esports startups in Western Canada,” according to event organizers.

“He also teaches youth and teens at the College of New Caledonia as an instructor for programming and game design.”

“He is self-taught in the areas of web design, graphic design, digital education, digital marketing/ social media management, and event management,” organizers added. “He’s also done graphic design and social media management for past clients such as Gold’s Gym, B.X Pub, Innovation Central Society and the University of Northern British Columbia, as well as some work for Hockey TV and Hockey Canada.”

Fundal is well known in northern B.C. as a longtime on-air personality and news reporter for CBC Radio. He is also a noted stage performer, such as being one of the Prince George Cougars in-house anthem singers, special guest vocalist alongside pop-soul diva Maureen Washington and with the Prince George Symphony Orchestra, and a featured cast member for musical theatre shows in Prince George like The Producers and Legally Blonde among many others.

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design.

This year’s theme for UNBC 2018 focuses on speakers who are looking ahead at the next 150 years, now that the first 150 years have passed in Canadian confederation.

At the first TEDx event held at UNBC in 2017 the lineup of featured speakers included Nadine Caron, Dahne Harding, Penny Jones, Leona Prince, Cori Ramsay, Shohba Sharma and Seth Shelley.

Tickets to attend the event are on sale now via the tedxunbc.com website.