I had the opportunity to attend a TEDx event in Nashville last week. TED stands for Technology Education Design and “champions ideas through live events around the world.” TED conferences include experts and unique perspectives in talks that are carefully planned to be 18, 12, or 6 minutes in length.

TEDx events are based on the same idea but centered around communities and organizations. Last week’s TEDx event was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

VA is a network of almost 150 medical centers and over 1,000 local, community-based outpatient clinics.

All of the speakers for the 2-day event were VA employees. On Day 1, the only day I could attend, the speakers were from the national level of VA. Day 2’s speakers included those from the local medical center.

The Nashville Public Library hosted TEDx VA.