Ignite! is an internationally syndicated presentation series with a unique twist: 20 speakers fire off 20 slides in just 5 minutes each, for a night of inspiration-filled, rapid-fire talks.
Share what matters most to you. We’re seeking Tampa Bay’s most passionate and talented people to share stories, ideas, and inspiration. Everyone is welcome to submit a talk as long as you have something compelling to say, we want to hear it.
Ignite Tampa Bay is a fun, fast-paced, evening of presentations where speakers gather to share their knowledge and passion.
Each speaker gets exactly five minutes to teach, enlighten, or inspire the crowd, all backed up by 20 slides that advance automatically every 15 seconds.
Talks cover a wide range of (often geeky) topics, from roller skating to nuclear reactors.
Ignite Tampa Bay’s unique rapid-fire format draws a loyal audience that reflects our vibrant community, often filling our venues to capacity. Each event is different, but you’re sure to experience talks that will educate, inspire, motivate, and entertain. The Ignite concept first appeared in Seattle in 2006 and has since spread to many cities across the globe. We brought Ignite to Tampa Bay in 2011, and have been running events annually since. You can find videos from past Ignite Tampa Bay events below or in our video archive.
Ignite Tampa Bay is a production of Technova Florida, Inc., a Tampa-based all-volunteer nonprofit organization dedicated to creating resilient, radically inclusive tech and maker communities that empower positive change.
Our all volunteer organization produces other events throughout the year including Barcamp Tampa Bay each fall.
Get Ready for Ignite 2021!
Get Inspired by past talks on the #IgniteTB YouTube Channel
Next year, Ignite will be back at The Palladium Theater in St. Petersburg. Stay tuned for info on that event scheduled for April 1st, 2021.
Our attendees can enjoy beverages from the theater bar and mingled with other guests and speakers. Our Emcee [T.B.A.] will kick off the event with an inspiring talk about our community and then introduce to featured 20 speakers.
As always, what follows will be a fast-paced series of talks that will entertained and engage our audience. There may be tears, laughs, and the occasional rowdy outburst of support.
Stay Tuned for info about the After Party
Ignite! Tampa Bay Sponsors & Supporters
Inferno
Flame
Spark
Friends of Ignite
Media Partners
This Year’s EmCee will be announced shortly.
We have a shortlist of impressive and impactful candidates that we are working on, but if you know of an outstanding community leader that is off the radar of the normal event circuit, drop us a note.
Take a look at last year's lineup of passionate speakers
that shared their story at Ignite TB 2019
*Please note these are presented in no particular order nor is this the order presenters will give their talks at the event. We typically have >100 speaker submissions each year on average and unfortunately the speaker selection committee can only select ~20 talks. We strive for diversity and to represent as many segments of our community as possible. The overwhelming response by all of you demonstrates the passion of the bay are community members.
| Talk Title | Speaker |
|---|---|
| Your Job: Commit to One Action! | Dr. Farhan Malik |
| How Do We Tackle the Oncoming Skills Gap? | John Flanagan |
| The Good, the Bad & The Ugly of Influencer Marketing | Laura Egocheaga |
| The Backfire Effect, Why Facts Get In the Way of Feelings | Topher Morrison |
| Why We Need Lunch Breaks | Alex Abell |
| Why Not? Self-Portrait of a Recovering Perfectionist | Ann Adair |
| Making S.T.E.A.M. Mainstream! | Neirda Lafontant |
| The Future of AI and Its Global Impact | RJ Garbowicz |
| What I Learned Biking Across Florida | Kevin Miller |
| Advice From All the Dads I’ve Known | Terence Okus |
| The Richness of Our Tapestry | Ericka Guy |
| I-Ching, Binary Digits Before Binary Was Cool | Michael Gamson |
| LGBTQ+ Within Steven Universe | Riley Schofner |
| Own Your Voice | Veronica Blakely |
| Whales: If You Love Them You Will Put Them In Cages | Shane Smith |
| Not Just a Bunch of Rolling Steel | James Waugh |
| The Choice We Face | Raymmar Tirado |
| Trust Faces – how to maintain your authenticity | Vadim Davydov |
| Housing Turmoil in Tampa Bay | Nico Hohman |
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Twitter @Ignite_TampaBay
FaceBook @facebook.com/IgniteTampa
Instagram @instagram.com/ignite_tampabay
Brought to you by: TechNova of Florida