TEDxOmaha is an independently organized TEDx event. As a part of the global TED community, we connect locally to explore the ideas and situations that affect our cultures, environments and minds. Each year, we hold an event to showcase local speakers within a topical theme. Our objectives are to grow awareness of the TEDxOmaha group and to max out the October event and fill the venue by selling 500 tickets. 

We choose The Great Experiment as the theme of TEDxOmaha 2016 to celebrate curiosity. We are surrounded by a history of curiosity. It is a natural part of the human mind. Everything that we know about the world or that we created was the result of curiosity combined with trial and error. The results? Sometimes exactly what we wanted, and sometimes not. But at least we tried. Our drive to know compels us to investigate and look for answers, often with unintended consequences. 

Our design concept was inspired by great inventors and leaders who have met their fair share of challenges and successes over time. The imagery we created was a wild, hand-drawn blend of quotes and doodles that shows there’s no wrong way to go about your journey. It’s both inspiring and fun, which suits the spirit of the event itself.

This poster was one piece of the overall intergrated campaign, which included a landing page, email marketing, social media, display advertising, public relations, t-shirts, event signage and programs.

Overall, we garnered 1.5 million total impressions across all marketing channels and reached a large portion of the Omaha metro area achieving our goal of enhanced awareness. But most importantly, we sold all 500 tickets and had a standing-room-only event.