What is TEDxSilkRoad?

TEDxSilkRoad is a one day inspirational conference event that will take place in Istanbul, Turkey, a magnificent and bustling city and a unique bridge between the East and the West.

TEDxSilkRoad is a journey into the future of innovation, borderless creativity, commerce and communication. Our world and social interactions are being shaped and fuelled by the advances in digital technologies combined with the power of art, design and storytelling.

Conference Theme: Borderless Creativity & Commerce

If you had no borders, how far could you go?

This is a day of inspiration and conversation about the new rules of global commerce, social innovation, future gazing and new ways to tell stories. Bring your own ideas, knowledge and talent, and share your own personal silk road journey with the group.

TEDxSilk Road will bring together over 15 speakers and performers and 200 thought leaders, mobile & internet entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders from Turkey and around the world to participate in this timely conversation. Experts in history, innovation, e-commerce, social media will share their ideas. Throughout the day plenty of time is set aside for meeting and networking with these thought leaders as well as fellow attendees.

For full information on the program and speakers, visit the TEDxSilkRoad website.

Why Silk Road?

The old Silk Road was a Route of Innovation and Commerce between the East and the West, with long journeys, personal hardships, a lot of risk taking and lots of cultural exchange along the way. In other words, the journey on the old SilkRoad reflects the journey taken by many entrepreneurs today.

The Silk Road was also an exchange of beliefs, religions, cultures and traditions that were passed on through the power of music, food, and story telling. Now is the right time in history to discuss a better dialogue between the East and the West through design, technology, and story.

The New Silk Road

The new Silk Road is digital and it goes beyond national borders. It is the mobile internet in your pocket, it is the fiber optic network that connects millions and it goes beyond national and cultural borders, it is the booming e- and m- commerce.

Venue

TEDxSilk Road will take place in the beautiful city of Istanbul which is a magnificent bridge between Asia and Europe. The actual venue, Feriye, is a historic location situated on the shores of the Bosphorus facing the Asian side, providing a perfect venue to build and East-West dialogue and brainstorm the future of creativity and innovation.