TEDxLakeShoreDrive Salon: Idea Pitch [Ideas Change Everything]

Imagine stepping off the red dot to roaring applause. You’ve just delivered the TEDx talk you have carried with you and worked toward for some time. Your idea is no longer only yours. It is out in the world, shared with a worldwide audience.
Every TEDx journey begins somewhere. For most speakers, it begins by making the case that the idea changes everything. An idea that is clear, original, meaningful, and ready to move an audience.
You can take that first step on Wednesday, October 7, at The Metropolitan Club in Willis Tower. Whether your goal is TEDxLakeShoreDrive or another TEDx event anywhere in the world, this session is designed to help you turn your idea into a pitch people remember.

How do you prepare for this?
If you are curious or not quite ready yet, this is the best opportunity to find out what an Idea Pitch looks like. If you are ready, practice and time your pitch for up to 2 minutes. Arrive in the meeting room by 4:45 pm for a debrief and walk-through. Bring your friends, family, and fans to cheer you on. Early-bird registrants will receive a guidebook to Willis Tower by October 6, 2026.

TEDxLakeShoreDrive Salon*
Idea Pitch on October 7, 2026, from 5:30 to 7 pm promptly

Amy Segami, founder & organizer of TEDxLakeShoreDrive, and speaker coach Bob Roitblat will show you what a strong TEDx pitch sounds like and what event organizers are looking for. You will have time to develop and practice your pitch, then take the stage and deliver it.

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*The Salon events are designed to share ideas, updates, and networking, all things related to TED, TEDx, and along Lake Shore Drive in Chicago.

TEDxLakeShoreDrive 2026

Ticket Schedule

Early Bird [Ends on Monday, October 5, 11:30 pm CT]
$25 Member of The Metropolitan Club or Invited Clubs
$35 Non-Member

Regular [Including walk-in on Wednesday, October 7, 5:30 pm CT]
$35 Member of The Metropolitan Club or Invited Clubs
$45 Non-Member

Ticket includes breathtaking Chicago cityscape, unexpecTED connections, delectable cheeses and charcuterie, sumptuous hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Due to building security, each attendee must register separately and be prepared to show a government ID. Upon your registration, you will receive a GuideBook prior to your arrival.

Agenda
4:45 pm Debrief & Walk-through [if you are ready to pitch your idea]
5:00 pm Check-in
5:30 pm Welcome
7 pm Closing. Optional post-event social & Optional Dutch Dinner at The Metropolitan Club, 67th floor

[The event organizers reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary.]

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Venue

A premier private business and social club in Chicago, located on the 66th and 67th floors of the iconic Willis Tower, offering breathtaking city views, fine dining (Craftsman) and casual bars (Frame), networking opportunities, and extensive private event spaces for corporate and social functions, serving as a sophisticated hub for Chicago's leaders and professionals within the Invited Clubs network.

Located in the heart of downtown Chicago, Willis Tower is an iconic urban destination and state-of-the-art, human-centered workplace. Standing at 1,450 feet and 110 stories, Willis Tower is one of the world’s tallest buildings—offering the region's most breathtaking views of the city and Lake Michigan. The 103rd-floor Skydeck attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors annually. In 2022, the tower completed a $500 million restorative street-to-sky transformation that included the addition of Catalog, a 300,000-square-foot curated dining, entertainment, and community experience, as well as a 30,000-square-foot outdoor terrace and 150,000 square feet of tenant amenity spaces. Today, Willis Tower is a world-class destination for work, dining, and experiencing the best of Chicago.

*TEDxLakeShoreDrive reserves all rights to make any changes about meeting schedules, rehearsals, speakers' confirmation, speaking order, event location, agenda, dates, and time, if necessary due to unexpected circumstances.

Event venue & nearby stays

The Metropolitan, 233 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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