(Closed) TEDx Applications Open for Long Beach, CA
Deadline Feb 16 at 8pm
If you read my last post, you know that I was part of the pitch contest and didn’t walk away with a speaker slot (there was fierce competition!), but that just means I have some insider knowledge to share with you so you can apply and get selected :)!
While the pitch contest filled 8 spots, TEDxShorelineDrive is looking for 1-2 more speakers to complete their inaugural 2026 lineup. They have reopened the application for this week only. Get everything submitted ASAP before Feb 16 at 8pm PST.
If you have an “Idea Worth Spreading” about Perseverance, this is your moment. Because I just went through the fire of their judging process, I want to give you the strategic “cheat sheet” on how to stand out.
What They Are Looking For
Based on the 8 speakers who were selected last weekend, keep these three things in mind:
1. The Long Beach Community Resonance This event is deeply rooted in the local community. In your application (specifically Question 7), don’t just say you live nearby. Explain how you serve or represent the heartbeat of Long Beach. They are looking for stories that feel like home.
2. Lived Experience > Theory The judges gave the highest scores to speakers who survived and persevered. Whether it’s recovery, single motherhood, or building something from nothing ground your “Perseverance” theme in your visceral, lived reality.
3. The “Takeaway” (Question 10) This is where most applications fail. A TEDx talk isn’t just motivational speech; it’s an Idea Worth Spreading. * Bad Takeaway: “I want people to feel inspired to never give up.”
Good Takeaway: “I want to provide a 3-step framework for using [insert your idea] to [your impact] during a [the moment your persevered from]” Give them a tool the audience can actually use.
How to Ace the 2-Minute Video Pitch
0:00-0:30: Your Name + Your Pitch Title + Your hook - Start with a question or a shocking stat.
0:30-1:15: The Connection. Briefly share your story of perseverance.
1:15-1:45: The Big Idea. What is the “new” way of looking at this problem?
1:45-2:00: The Call to Action. What is the audience takeaway and why is this stage the right place for this talk?
The Logistics
Deadline: Monday, Feb. 16th at 8:00 PM PST.
The Theme: Perseverance.
The Requirement: You must have an Instagram account and be willing to engage with the community. This team values collaboration and “uplifting the collective.”
Application Link: https://forms.gle/VBkPJDtT2UXnneR49
You’ve got this!
Don’t be intimidated. I personally spent 5 years unlocking the strategy to get on a TEDx stage and this weekend’s pitch contest reminded me that even with the strategy, rejection is part of the process. Don’t let the fear of a “no” stop you from submitting.
If you’ve been waiting for a sign to finally share your voice, this is it.
I’ll be cheering for you from the front row!
Geleen Antonio