Creators, entrepreneurs, artists, designers, scientists, thinkers and doers will all converge on September 28 for the third annual TEDxDetroit conference, taking place at the Orchestra Hall at the Max M Fisher Music Center from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. What’s the goal of bringing this diverse yet interestingly similar group of people together for an entire day? To spread positive ideas for the world from Detroit.

TED (which stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design) conferences aren’t like any other conferences I’ve attended. They’re eclectic and quirky, but in an engaging and inspiring way. While I’ve felt inspired after conferences like FutureMidwest and BrandCamp, TEDxDetroit conferences have produced a totally different type of creative inspiration in me. That’s why I’m looking forward to attending again this year.

To get an idea of what TED conferences are like, take a look at the diversity of 2010′s speaker lineup, which included poets, a chief science officer, a video producer, a belly dancer and a singer/songwriter. And, watch the below TEDxDetroit performance by David Blair, an amazingly talented artist who sadly and unexpectedly passed away this year.

So, what’s in store for attendees of this year’s conference? Charlie Wollborg, executive producer and curator of TEDxDetroit, was nice enough to answer a few questions about the 2011 conference.

How will the 2011 TEDxDetroit conference differ from past conferences?

Our mission remains the same. TEDxDetroit is a day for ideas, innovations and inspiration highlighting positive ideas from our city and state for the world.

Can you share any general information about the speakers this year?

The speaker names are starting to trickle out on social media and the press, but I actually like to keep them a surprise. I like folks to come in with an open mind and join us for a wild ride. This year’s program will feature Giant Robots and Tap Dancing and Cherries and Sword Fighting and Nuclear Super Colliders and Fine Art for Babies and a Gourmet Lemonade Stand run by a nine year old kid. I’m serious.

In your opinion, why is TEDx different from any other type of conference that exists?

The content. The speakers bounce back and forth between left brain and right brain. We alternate between academics and geeks and entrepreneurs and artists and inspirational human stories. It’s not a business conference, but we highlight many cool business leaders. It’s not a tech conference, but we showcase loads of interesting and innovative technology. It’s not a social media conference, but you’ll find Twitter, YouTube and Flickr ablaze with content during TEDxDetroit. Hell, we’re not even sure it is a conference. When you leave TEDxDetroit, hopefully your boundaries of possibility have been stretched and the fire in your belly has been rekindled.

What are the top reasons why someone should attend TEDxDetroit?

TEDxDetroit brings together the “charged particles” to encourage collaboration, optimism and a sense of what’s possible. I think it will ignite your passion, fill your Rolodex with interesting people, stretch your smile and give you a swift kick in the entrepreneurial ass to get moving on that big project you’ve been sitting on for far too long.

Interested in attending? You have to request an invite (don’t worry, it’s not an arduous process). Space is limited for the event because one of the goal’s of TED is to gather attendees who are as interesting as the presenters. While some may complain that this is seclusive and unfair, I’m OK with it. As long as you make an effort, you will undoubtedly meet some very interesting people at this conference thanks to the selective attendance process.

The cost to attend is only $26 (which includes lunch), and all proceeds will support charities opening children’s minds to art and technology in Detroit. More than $16,000 has been raised in the past two years from TEDxDetroit.

Seriously…why would you NOT go?!

If you’ve attended TEDxDetroit or another TED event in the past, share in the comments what you enjoyed most about the conference and why it’s worth attending.

Yesterday I attended the inaugural 140 Characters Conference Detroit at the gorgeous Fillmore Theatre. Perhaps I’m a bit biased because I was involved with making this conference happen, but I think it went pretty darn well! And if you search through the #140conf Detroit hashtag stream or talk to anyone who attended or watched via Ustream, you’ll see most people agree.

Every conference has takeaways – ideas we generate from what we learned from those who were imparting knowledge on us. 140conf Detroit was no different, except that in my mind, there was one main lesson learned.

The real time Web is powerful.

I’m trying hard to not get on my soapbox and preach to all those who still think the Web and social media are just for nerds and tech geeks who have nothing better to do with themselves put play online all day. But I sincerely hope that anyone who may have previously doubted the impact the Web can have on people, business and society aren’t nearly as cynical after 140conf Detroit.

Need some solid proof? Read on.

The entrepreneur panel consisting of Todd List, Pat Williams and Dan Walker taught us how the Web can help people who take a risk and start a business on their own. Sidenote to this – Todd didn’t talk about this yesterday, but he once shared at Tweetea that he credits Twitter for helping him make friends and encouraging him to be more social and active.

Stephen Clark from WXYZ-TV taught us that Twitter can be a bridge that closes the gap between traditional and new media. It provides a channel for people in the community with amazing stories to share those directly with the reporters and anchors who broadcast local news to us every day.

Speakers like Nicholas Provenzano on the education panel taught us how the real time Web is a tool teachers can use to collaborate for education reform, more closely connect with students and provide a creative platform for education.

Anissa Mayhew taught us that the Web can be a channel for providing support when life throws an unexpected curve ball our way. Anissa had a sudden stroke, and while she was in a coma, friends, supporters and people who didn’t even know her used the Web to send her messages, console her family and stay updated on her recovery process.

Nelson de Witt taught us how the Web can bring together a family living in separate countries and divided by war and tragedy.

Julian Bond taught us how Twitter can give the public an inside look into the operating room during a surgery, and how creative use of video can result in new patients.

Beverly Cornell taught us how Twitter is the reason she got back her stolen laptop.

If that’s not enough proof for you, then read Jonathan Oosting’s article on MLive about 12 social media ideas and success stories from 140conf Detroit.

Trust me when I say that I know social media has to be more than one big “I love the Web!” fest. Investing time and resources in social media and the Web must eventually result in action, change and growth. I heard Charlie Wollborg loud and clear when he challenged everyone to quit patting themselves on the back and instead get active.

So, what part are you playing in sharing the power of the social Web? Are you telling others about success stories? Are you inviting people to events and conferences so they can learn/see for themselves? Are you spending more time preaching than using the real time Web to create real results?

With those final thoughts, I leave you with the trailer of a soon-to-be hour-long documentary that John Hammond debuted at 140conf Detroit. It’s about Detroit bloggers who use the Web to spread the positive word about amazing things happening in their community.

PS: A sincere thank you to Jeff Pulver for bringing 140conf to the Midwest and Michigan, as well as Chris Barger from GM and all the other sponsors, volunteers, attendees and supporters who made this conference possible. See you next year!

Ernie Harwell, a Detroit legend who was the broadcaster at Detroit Tigers games for 42 seasons, passed away on May 5.

I didn’t grow up listening to Ernie’s voice on the radio as he gave the play-by-play at games. I don’t associate summers from my childhood with Ernie narrating the games like many baseball fans do. I have no recollections of ever watching a baseball game on TV or in person while Ernie was broadcasting it. All the knowledge I have about Ernie Harwell I gained through stories in the media and MAL, who was a huge fan (proven by the fact that the cat he found in an alley by Comerica Park is named Ernie). Ernie may not have directly impacted my life, but he definitely has indirectly, and I’m proud to say we shared the same hometown.

From what I’ve learned about Ernie, I know he was a gentle, friendly and humble man who loved life, his family and the great sport of baseball. He was so much more than the voice of the Tigers. His voice impacted and touched the lives of people in a very uncommon yet profound way for a sports broadcaster. Ernie gave people the sense of comfort and care, and many felt they knew him simply because they listened to him call the games year after year.

I read an interview with Bobbi Brown (the makeup artist) in today’s New York Times and thought her answers were very intriguing and different…in a good way. The first part of the interview focused on what Bobbi looks for in an employee and her hiring process. Two of her answers stood out to me:

• When talking about what qualities she looks for in an employee, Bobbi mentions the ability to communicate. As someone who works in a creative industry, I can relate to what Bobbi said. Communicating. To me, this is probably the biggest thing. If it’s the right person, I can barely speak and they understand what I’m saying. But if it’s not the right person, they have trouble understanding, because creative people are not like other people. Any other creative C.E.O. will understand what I’m talking about.”
• The interviewer asked Bobbi if she could only choose two questions to ask in an interview, what would they be? One of her responses was “what do you love”? All too often, interviews focus too heavily on the job and not enough on the person. It’s important to mix in personal questions like “who do you admire/look up to”, “what are your passions?”, “what do you enjoy doing in your spare time” to learn more about who the person REALLY is.

You can read the rest of the interview titled “High Heels? They Just Don’t Fit” here.

Photo credit

There are countless fabulous restaurants close to where I live, but MAL had been telling me for awhile that I HAD to visit Ernie’s Market in Oak Park. He promised me it would be an experience and never would I encounter another person who loves to make sandwiches as much as Ernie does.

MAL didn’t lie. Happy employees can make or break a customer’s experience, and I can’t imagine one customer walking out of Ernie’s Market unsatisfied. Ernie is a 60-something happy-go-lucky kind of guy. After welcoming us with a hello and a big smile, Ernie immediately pointed out that I hadn’t been there before. He asked me to put an open palm on the counter, and he dropped three Hershey’s kisses in my hand. Now, one thing you need to know about Ernie before you go there is he’s loud…very loud! Not in an annoying or overwhelming way, but more in a “I’m so excited to see you I could scream!” kind of way. Ernie’s signature phrase is “Yeah baby!”, which he exclaims whenever he gets the chance. Letters spelling out that phrase and this sign are front and center on the counter:

While Ernie piled our sandwiches high with the toppings of our choice (yelling out each topping as he added it to the sandwich), he asked me to guess how long he’s been running the market. I didn’t believe he had been there more than 50 years, but Ernie said it’s been close to 60 years. He also said he’s been making sandwiches day after day for decades because it’s what he loves to do.

Before we left, Ernie made sure to tell us there’s a Facebook fan page for Ernie’s Market. He doesn’t use a computer, but two of the sweet ladies who work for him update the page. It’s obvious from the comments and photos on the fan page that Ernie has made quite an impact on his customers.

Ernie drew a smiley-faced heart on my heavy sandwich (and I opted for the smaller size!) before sending us on our way with a “Yeah baby!” and a request that we return often.

Ernie’s energy and passion for his business is inspiring. If you live in the Detroit area, take a trip to Ernie’s Market the next time you’re in the mood for a hearty sandwich and a few smiles. You won’t be disappointed!