Contact:

            Richard Sheridan, Menlo Innovations' President & CEO, rsheridan@menloinnovations.com

            Lisamarie Babik, Menlo Innovations' Evangelist, lbabik@menloinnovations.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Menlo Innovations' Richard Sheridan to speak at Inaugural TEDxDetroit Conference

Detroit, MI September 3, 2009 – Entrepreneurs, technologists and designers from across the state will gather to share the ideas that are shaping our future at the inaugural TEDxDetroit next month. Richard Sheridan, President and CEO of Menlo Innovations in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was the first speaker announced by the organizers.

"I'm honored to be included in the group of fine speakers TEDxDetroit will be bringing together at Lawrence Tech," said Sheridan, "I am a big fan of TED talks and to be able to use the TEDx format to inspire Michigan is just a great idea.  My hat is off to all those who helped make this event possible.  It's very exciting!"

TEDxDetroit will be held at Lawrence Tech University on Wednesday, October 21, from 9am to 6pm. Themed "positive ideas for the world from Detroit," The event will emulate the spirit and ideals of the renowned TED Conference.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TED has created TEDx -- a series of regional events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At TEDxDetroit, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection at the local level. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but TEDxDetroit is self-organized. 

"Every day, a flood of positive ideas and innovations is being lost in the hullabaloo of crime, scandal and failure. TEDxDetroit is designed as a massive intellectual surge for the state of Michigan," said Charlie Wollborg, participating organizer of TEDxDetroit. "We have the people, we have the passion, and now we're creating the platform for ideas to spread."

TEDxDetroit is curating a collection of thinkers and doers across a wide range of fields and experiences to attend the event. From fresh minded students to seasoned entrepreneurs, TEDxDetroit will host an interesting mix of talent and knowledge. Applications are currently being accepted and can be found along with more details about the event at tedxdetroit.com.

TEDxDetroit is presented by Lawrence Tech University, Curve Detroit, Ingenex, Pure Visibility, Looking Glass Lane and Networked Inc.

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About TED

TED is an annual event where some of the world's leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. "TED" stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design -- three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. And in fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline. Attendees have called it "the ultimate brain spa" and "a four-day journey into the future." The diverse audience -- CEOs, scientists, creatives, philanthropists -- is almost as extraordinary as the speakers, who have included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Jane Goodall, Frank Gehry, Paul Simon, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck and Bono. Learn more at ted.com

About MENLO INNOVATIONS

Menlo Innovations is a custom software design & development firm for hire, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The founders were inspired by the creative and productive work environment demonstrated at Thomas Edison's Menlo Park, New Jersey "Invention Factory."  Like Edison, the driving factor behind everything Menlo does is to create useful and marketable products that thrill end users and deliver real business value.  Learn more at menloinnovations.com.