What I Learned Performing at TEDx [and How It Can Transform Your Next Event]

Stepping onto the TEDx stage is something I’ll never forget. The energy in the room. The curiosity in the eyes of the audience. The rush of delivering something meaningful in just ten minutes.

And apparently, it worked. After my performance, the organizer came up to me and said, “That was the fastest 10 minutes of my life.” That kind of reaction is what every performer hopes for (and what every event planner should be aiming to deliver).

What I learned that day is simple but powerful: when you respect your audience’s time, you earn their attention.

The most engaging experiences aren’t always the longest but they’re the most intentional. Every second matters. Every word, every gesture, every moment of silence. If it isn’t adding, it’s taking away.

That’s a principle I bring to every performance. Whether I’m speaking at a leadership retreat, energizing a corporate team, or doing a private show, I design experiences that move fast, hit hard, and stick with people long after the lights come up.