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Last July my husband and I attended our first TEDxMileHigh conference, “Make + Believe”. The experience was awe-inspiring. The dynamic speakers gave us much to digest and mull over that truly our brains ached. During the breaks Jay and I headed outside for fresh air, Italian sodas (thank you Backyard Soda Company) and, most importantly, conversation. Our exchanges didn’t go farther than the space we occupied, despite the tremendous energy from so many attendees around us. A few weeks later I wondered about whether we had missed a huge opportunity: “de-briefing” with all those other guests, right there, right then.

Yes, the more I reflected on our first TEDxMileHigh conference, the more I realized that we had missed out. How might we have shared the experience more directly with the many friendly and enthused people around us? What kind of opportunity might help us integrate the thought-provoking material and make it feel relevant to our own lives?

The Conversation Café` was born at the recent TEDxMileHighWomen conference, “It’s About Time” ( or for a “live” version of what happened, click here).

In August I reached out to the TEDxMileHigh organization about the upcoming conference and in no time, received animg_3912 enthusiastic interested response, typical of this dynamic group of people passionate about bringing innovative thinking to our community.”There’s so much that happens at the conference that it would be enjoyable to take a ‘deep dive’ as a guest and have the chance to explore and process through conversations. Might we create an experience at the upcoming conference,” I asked? The extremely competent “Experience” Director, Tracy Kollker Coleman, responded to my inquiry.

Establish Intention

Working with Tracy we established our objectives:  A Table In Time will design an inspired conversational experience for conference participants:

  • To engage with other attendees about topics that “touch” and resonate with their TEDxMileHigh “It’s About Time” experience;
  • Provide a conduit for insights, surprises, and “ah ha” moments;
  • Foster new relationships;
  • Broaden and build an inclusive and enthusiastic TEDxMileHigh community.

img_3911Build a Container

We designed an “experience” card that invited guests to enjoy conversation with one another. After all, it was an “It’s About Time”, too, for the attendees. The card included questions to consider, “TALK Tips” for how to start conversation and an invitation to attend The Conversation Café during the breaks.

At The Conversation Café guests were encouraged to interact with others by

  • Bringing their best full selves into the space;
  • Listening well and feeling heard (oh, how nice to have listening reciprocated);
  • Hear different perspectives;
  • And have fun!

Belong, Actualize, Thrive

Through conversation we celebrated a community of smart women and men.  With coffee or water in hand and clear instructions, guests sorted themselves by the color of their bracelets, garnered a little courage and thoughtful banter ensued.  While walking around the café, listening and posing questions, I witnessed new friendships being made (so many were meeting for the first time), heard tons of laughter, and observed the exchange of stories.

Inspired by the TEDxMileHighWomen speakers, guests at The Conversation Café enjoyed the space to be with another person and discover the amazing world within that person- someone they might never had considered. With a little effort, courage and genuine interest guests connected, expressed themselves and felt a part of something bigger, inspiring their lives and actions.

This is the story of The (inaugural) Conversation Café`. Thank you TEDxMileHigh. Thank you, attendees. The world is good and you’ve proved it.

 

“Tell me.  What is it you plan to do with your one, wild, and precious life.” -Mary Oliver

 

 

 

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