Kaila White

The Republic | azcentral.com

When Ammar Tanveer was watching TED talks on New Year's Eve in 2014, an idea struck him: Why not host my own?

After a first attempt fell through, Ammar, now 21, has spent six to eight hours a day for the last five months building another, somehow finding the time between Arizona State University classes, plans for graduation and work at the Biodesign Institute.

The first TEDx event ever on ASU's Tempe campus is coming to the university's tiny Marston Exploration Theater Saturday, April 23.

After more than 8,000 people expressed interest in the Facebook event and 600 people applied for early tickets, the 100 tickets for the half-day conference sold out in five minutes.

The 100-ticket limit is imposed by TED on first-time hosts. But don't fret: Anyone can livestream the event at tedxasu.com/livestream.

ASU's theme is "Outliers: Embracing Your Vision"

TED is a world-renowned nonprofit that hosts short, inspiring talks on nearly any topic. TEDx events are independently organized versions of the original.

"The whole goal was not only to promote the university but to show people the truly inspiring things we have going on," Tanveer said. "The work that’s been done in the university is mind-blowing and I just want people to get involved."

Inspired by ASU's spirit of innovation, TEDxASU brings together leaders who've had groundbreaking research and ideas in their fields.

Plans for a bigger TEDxASU next year

Tanveer is an ASU senior from Glendale and the founder and lead organizer of the event, along with eight other ASU seniors.

In order to have more than 100 attendees, TED requires hosts to host two TEDx events and attend an official TED event.

Ammar plans to host his second small TEDx event this fall while he applies for medical school. He is working with the Biodesign Institute on an event about how to engage kids in science.

Then he will attend an event and should be able to host a large TEDx event in the spring. He's hoping to host 3,500 guests in ASU Gammage for an event about climate change.

Event speakers include: