(Closed) Apply to TEDxHartford
Deadline April 15, 2026
TEDxHartford is now accepting speaker applications.
Hartford’s organizers are looking for bold, evidence-based ideas that challenge assumptions and help audiences see the world differently.
Below is a quick breakdown of what you need to know before applying.
📍 Event Overview
TEDxHartford 2026
📍 Hartford, Connecticut, USA
🗓 Event expected early December 2026 (first or second weekend)
🎤 Applications open until April 15
What They’re Looking For
TEDxHartford is not looking for motivational speeches or brand promotion.
Instead, they want talks that:
• Present a new or surprising idea
• Draw conclusions from evidence, research, or lived experience
• Challenge existing beliefs or perspectives
• Help audiences learn something new
If your talk includes a personal story, it must lead to a larger insight or concept, not just the story itself.
A strong TEDx structure looks like:
Story → Pattern → Insight → Implication
Example:
You experienced something unexpected
You started noticing the same pattern elsewhere
That pattern led you to a new conclusion
That conclusion changes how people see a topic
Your story is the evidence, not the idea.
The Qualities They Value in Speakers
The selection team highlights four key criteria.
Novelty
Ideas should feel fresh, original, or presented in a uniquely compelling way.
Diversity
TEDxHartford actively seeks speakers from diverse backgrounds, including underrepresented voices and non-traditional experts.
Creativity
They want speakers who can communicate ideas in engaging, memorable ways.
Credibility
You don’t need a PhD or a book deal. But you should have real experience, research, or insight behind the idea you’re presenting.
What Speakers Receive
If selected, speakers receive structured support throughout the process, including:
• Personalized speaker coaching
• Mentorship while developing the talk
• Professional recording of the talk for the TEDx platform
• Promotion through the TEDxHartford community and media network
What Speakers Must Commit To
Speaking at a TEDx event is a collaborative process, and the team expects speakers to be fully involved.
Selected speakers will need to:
• Participate in multiple coaching sessions
• Attend both an informal and formal rehearsal
• Be available for the event weekend in early December 2026
Speakers should also note that:
• TEDxHartford does not provide travel or housing
• Speaking is a volunteer opportunity
Application Requirements
The application asks for:
• Your proposed talk title
• The category of your idea
• A 150-word description of your talk
• Optional links to past speaking appearances
You will also confirm availability for the event dates and your willingness to work with the coaching team during the preparation process.
Apply Here
Application form: https://tedxhartford.com/apply-to-be-a-2026-speaker/
Follow their IG for updates: https://www.instagram.com/tedxhartford
Before you submit, test your pitch by using this structure I use with clients:
Hook
What assumption do people currently believe?
Tension
Why is that belief incomplete or flawed? And what will the audience continue doing if they don’t hear your idea and continue down the same thinking.
Insight
What did you discover instead? (What is the idea that you will be sharing?)
Takeaway
What will the audience understand or do differently after hearing your idea?
Make sure your pitch includes these components. Make it easy for the organizers by connecting the dots for them.
Need Help With Your Application?
Book a 1:1 Application Strategy Session and we will do a deep dive into your specific idea and optimize your application before submission.
Don’t stress, you got this!
Geleen Antonio