GAINESVILLE, FL –  TEDxGainesville, an independently organized event licensed by TED, is proud to announce its fifth upcoming conference, "Emergence," scheduled for January 31, 2026. Ribbon Cutting at 12:30. Doors open at 1PM. Show begins at 2:30. The event will bring together a diverse array of speakers and performers to share "ideas worth spreading" with the Greater Gainesville business community and beyond.

This event is a critical intersection of local intellectual capital and global expertise. The Chamber Board, Diplomats, and Members are all invited to witness firsthand the innovations that are shaping Alachua County, and to meet some of the nation's best minds. 

The 2026 theme, "Emergence," explores both evolution and discovery.  For Chamber members and leaders, this is an opportunity to look at old challenges in a new way, or to learn something new that may make a critical difference. 

"TEDxGainesville has always been a great way to bring top thinkers to Gainesville, and for Gainesville to show it can stand with those top thinkers," says Tom Puketza, Organizer and Speaker Coach. "Attendees have an opportunity to meet incredible people doing incredible work and deeply connect". 

Tickets are available now at this link. 

Companies and Organizations also stand to enjoy powerful benefits by supporting the event via sponsorship. Local businesses that align themselves with the TEDxGainesville platform can gain a number of distinct competitive advantages:

1. Brand Association with Innovation: Supporting TEDx positions your company as a forward-thinking "Innovation Partner," aligning your brand with the global gold standard of intellectual excellence and cutting-edge research.

2. Top-Tier Talent Attraction: In a competitive labor market, high-value recruits look for companies that invest in a culture of learning. Supporting TEDx signals that your organization values curiosity and continuous professional development. Plus, TEDxGainesville volunteers are some of the hardest working and capable individuals in the local market.  

3. Strategic B2B Networking: The TEDx audience is comprised of decision-makers, educators, and entrepreneurs. Sponsorship or group attendance provides a high-level environment for relationship-building that transcends traditional "mixer" networking. In addition, attendees tend to be highly engaged and motivated, resulting in a definitive quality spike in leads. 

4. CSR and Community Investment: Supporting a local, independently organized event demonstrates a commitment to the intellectual and cultural growth of Gainesville, strengthening your Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) profile. Now in its fifth year, TEDxGainesville is a proven and reliable entity that continues to grow and create more opportunities for effective collaboration. 

5. Early Trend Identification: Engaging with TEDx content gives your leadership team a "first look" at the social and technological shifts—such as AI ethics, sustainable urban growth, or biotech breakthroughs—that will impact your industry before they hit the mainstream. Previous speakers have already spoken on two of these three examples. 

Those interested in sponsoring the event can email info@event-incbator.org. 

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. 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 TED TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading, often in the form of short talks delivered by leading thinkers and doers. Many of these talks are given at TED conferences, intimate TED Salons and thousands of independently organized TEDx events around the world. Videos of these talks are made available, free, on TED.com and other platforms.