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📣 Over 150 speaker applications so far! 📣

We've been blown away by the response to our 2027 speaker applications, and we'd like to thank everyone who has submitted an application so far 🫶

There's still over a month to go until applications for our 2027 speakers close. Do you have an idea worth spreading? If so, send your application today for the chance to become a TEDx speaker at TEDxNorthernQuarter! 🗣️

Here are some top tips and tricks to help with your application.

Some TEDx guidelines before submitting:

💡 Speakers cannot promote their own products, books or businesses, or those of a company that employs them. Talks can only feature technology, product demonstrations or books when they help inform an idea presented in the talk.

💡 Scientific claims made by speakers should be based on data that has been scrutinised by experts in the field. Speakers should be transparent about the basis for any factual claims and the scientific evidence supporting them.

💡 The consequences of pseudoscience can be especially severe. Speakers should not misuse scientific language to make unsubstantiated claims.

💡 TEDx talks are about sharing fascinating ideas, not providing a platform for professional speakers to deliver their usual keynote talks. Think about what unique ideas you can bring to the audience in the room and the wider world.

💡 Talks at this event will be a maximum of 15 minutes long.

💡 You'll be assigned a speaker coach as part of your talk preparation. We expect all speakers to engage with the coaching process so that we can work together to help you prepare and deliver the best talk possible.

Do you have an idea worth spreading? Get your applications in.

Apply today at TEDxNorthernQuarter.com.

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Same Job but 100x the debt.
The Young professional paradox.

Alex Atherton takes to the red dot to discuss how todays young professionals have their degree, but a hundred times the debt.

They have the same job, but end up having to have side hustles till midnight.

Is this the future?

And what about their work-life balance obsession?

Alex's full TEDx talk will be out soon, follow us to find out when it goes live.

#YoungProfessionals #GenerationalDifferences #FutureOfWork #CareerAdvice #AlexAtherton #WorkLifeBalance #Ambition #EconomicChallenges #TEDxNorthernQuarter

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“If you want high-caliber Gen Z talent, ask yourself: why should they want to work for you?” 🧠⚡️

On the ground at @tedxnorthernquarter, we caught up with @alex.atherton, former secondary school headteacher, author of The Snowflake Myth, and generational workplace expert.

Alex completely dismantled the “snowflake” stereotype surrounding Gen Z professionals, urging leaders to stop judging today’s young talent through the lens of previous generations.

He highlighted how Gen Z is navigating an entirely different economic landscape, from post-financial crash realities to the cost of living, while possessing the digital tools to launch their own ventures rather than waiting for traditional corporate ladders.

For modern organizations, the power dynamic has shifted: if you want ambitious young leaders in your building, you need to offer a genuine vision, real culture, and a compelling reason for them to stay.

Ready to connect with leaders shaping the future of work and culture on the world stage?

We’re taking a curated cohort of founders, creators, and executives to Web Summit Lisbon (Nov 7–12)!

Follow @indvstrypowerhouse and head to powerhouse.indvstryclvb.com/websummit to apply for your spot. 🚀

#AlexAtherton #TEDxNorthernQuarter #GenZ #FutureOfWork #IndustryPowerhouse

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Finally getting a moment to share just some of my favourite moments from @tedxnorthernquarter 2026! 🐝

I've not had a moment to slow down in the lead up to @format_group Liverpool 2026, and reflect since we hosted the best TEDx event Manchester has ever seen earlier this month, and I'm so proud of what our team accomplished for the greatest city on earth.

To bring the city I love so much this amazing experience that brings inspiration and change to so many lives through its community activities, talks, and community conduit's is truly a privilege! 🧡

Some of my favourite moments from TEDx NQ 2026.

📸 @williamhickie

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🎥 TEDxNorthernQuarter 2026: The Behind The Scenes Documentary trailer!!

Ever wondered what it actually takes to organise a TEDx conference?

Soon you can find out.

We’ll be taking you behind the scenes of TEDxNorthernQuarter 2026 like never before, giving you an exclusive look at the reality of bringing Manchester’s biggest TEDx event to life.

From the highs, the lows, the chaos and everything in between, you’ll see:

🎤 Speaker rehearsals and preparation

🔴 What the experience is really like for our speakers

🎬 What happens behind the scenes on event day

😅 The good, the bad and the ugly of putting it all together

💡 And everything that goes into making ideas worth spreading a reality

What you see on stage is only a tiny part of the story.

This documentary will show you everything that happens behind the curtain to make TEDxNorthernQuarter happen, from the months of preparation to the final moments before the doors open.

We can’t wait to give you an exclusive look at TEDxNorthernQuarter 2026 like you’ve never seen it before.

🎥 Coming very soon.

Captured by @brandonjbennettt

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TEDx Northern Quarter 2026, what an amazing event you were! Excellence, wisdom and inspiration for daysss 🤩
Here are my personal takeaways from each speaker - coming from a UGC/business perspective ✨ which one did you resonate the most with?

#ugccreator #tedxnorthernquarter #contentcreatorjourney #ideasworthspreading #foodforthought

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Manchester, my city. I hope I did you proud today! 🐝🎤🔴

WHAT AN EVENT!!

Over a year of planning and over the last 24 hours we hosted the best ever TEDx conference the UK has ever seen, @tedxnorthernquarter 2026.

Manchester, you showed up for the second ever edition of TEDxNorthernQuarter in ways we could never have imagined. We welcomed attendees @stollerhall, and welcomed 16 extraordinary pioneers, innovators and game changers to the iconic red dot to share ideas that have the power to change the world.

We cannot thank the @tedx_official community enough for allowing us to create something truly special in the heart of Manchester.

To every sponsor, partner, attendee, volunteer, supporter and everyone who played a part in making yesterday possible, thank you. You helped make this moment incredibly special.

And, of course, a huge thank you to our incredible speakers. You trusted us with your ideas, your stories and your messages, and took to the Red Dot to share them with the world.

A huge thank you also to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, @deputymayorofgm, for opening our event, our incredible host @mattyfwhite, and every single individual who helped bring the day to life.

TEDx NQ has become such an important part of my life and has become a second family to me, and I'd like to thank our amazing organising team l, speaker coaches, and everyone who has joined us on this journey to build something special that transforms lives for so many! 🧡

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Last Friday was @tedxnorthernquarter 2026. I was a coach for three of the speakers: @jessrobinsonofficial @jessnickscoaching
and @alex.atherton

The whole event was pretty mindblowing.

The unstoppable duo of @simran_whitham and @andycoleynlp (and their team) worked heroically to put it all together.

Shout out to my fellow coaches: @gillmmckay
@emmajgaskin @stevepayneofficial and @iamelliotkay

Photos by the mighty @williamhickie

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The first photos are here!!! 📸

Get a sneak peek behind the scenes at this year’s TEDxNorthernQuarter 2026 conference.

We’re still trying to digest everything from the weekend. The Instagram messages, emails, comments, reactions and, most importantly, all of the incredible words of support we’ve received have genuinely overwhelmed our team 🥺

We can’t thank everyone enough for the love, support and energy you’ve shown towards TEDxNorthernQuarter. Seeing the reaction to this year’s event has been incredibly special, and we’re absolutely delighted to confirm that we’ll be bringing it back in 2027!! 🎤♥️

We’ll be releasing the full public photography very soon, once we’ve received the complete collection of photos from the day. But for now, here’s an exclusive little glimpse at what’s to come.
And who knows… 👀

You might even spot a cheeky photo of yourself when the full album drops.
Watch this space.

We’ve got a very exciting announcement being teased tomorrow…🐝⏳

📸 Thank you to @williamhickie for capturing our day.

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What a day! TEDxNorthernQuarter 2026!! 🎤🔴

We genuinely have no words to describe how our team is feeling 🫶

Yesterday, ideas worth spreading were truly spread! 💡

Manchester, you showed up for the second ever edition of TEDxNorthernQuarter in ways we could never have imagined. We welcomed attendees @stollerhall, and welcomed 16 extraordinary pioneers, innovators and game changers to the iconic red dot to share ideas that have the power to change the world.

We cannot thank the @tedx_official community enough for allowing us to create something truly special in the heart of Manchester.

To every sponsor, partner, attendee, volunteer, supporter and everyone who played a part in making yesterday possible, thank you. You helped make this moment incredibly special.

And, of course, a huge thank you to our incredible speakers. You trusted us with your ideas, your stories and your messages, and took to the Red Dot to share them with the world.

🎤 OUR 2026 SPEAKERS

🎤 @feelgoodaimie – Founder of @wearefeelgoodclub

🎤 @alex.atherton – Author of The Snowflake Myth

🎤 @asiasharif27 – Multi award winning software engineer

🎤 @dumpedlingss – Cooking content creator

🎤 Elliot Kay – CEO of the Speaker Awards & Summit

🎤 @ed_iidiiong – Perinatal and family mental health expert

🎤 @funmi_projectx – Consultant in Restorative Dentistry, women’s h

A huge thank you also to the Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester, @deputymayorofgm, for opening our event, our incredible host @mattyfwhite, and every single individual who helped bring the day to life.

To our organisers, @simran_whitham , @lindsay_nicole18 and @andycoleynlp, and our amazing speaker coaches, thank you for the countless hours, hard work and graft that have gone into making this happen over the last few months.

There are already some very exciting things happening behind the scenes, and we have even more amazing news to share with you over the next few weeks.

But for now, we simply want to say thank you! ❤️

Thank you, Manchester 🐝

Thank you, TEDx.

Thank you to everyone who believed in the idea.

Roll on TEDxNorthernQuarter 2027! 🐝🎤

📹 Thank you @samt

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We caught up with our speakers today at rehearsals to see how they were feeling ahead of TEDxNorthernQuarter TOMORROW!!!

Months of preparation and it’s the final countdown for a day built around ideas worth spreading 🎤

From powerful stories and thought provoking conversations to unforgettable entertainment, the stage is ready for our incredible speakers ❤️

On a scale on 1-10, how excited are you?

📍 Manchester
🎟️ TEDxNorthernQuarter 2026

#tedx #tedxtalks #tedxnorthernquarter

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