Innovative. Collaborative. Dynamic.

Those words describe the ideas organizers hope to showcase at an upcoming TEDxLawrence conference, the city’s first, slated for March 23 at Liberty Hall.

What is TEDxLawrence? Don't confuse TEDxLawrence with TED. TED is a global set of conferences devoted to "Ideas Worth Spreading," as its slogan notes. Founded in 1984, it is run by the private, non-profit Sapling Foundation. TEDx is a program of local events that "bring people together to share a TED-like experience," according to the TEDxLawrence website. TED might provide general guidance, but TEDx conferences are independently organized. TEDxLawrence operates under license from TED.

To make it happen, they’ll need help. Program organizers are seeking speakers, TEDxLawrence spokeswoman Beth Pine said.

“We want to find great ideas that might be under the radar, and bring them out and give them a platform so they can start to percolate,” she said.

Pine and her steering committee are looking for “ideas that reflect the feel of Lawrence.” She envisions a multidisciplinary roster featuring speakers of all ages, races and genders.

There will be 12 slots to fill for the day-long event, and each presentation should run from 5 to 22 minutes.

The goal is to “share great ideas that are bubbling up from Lawrence,” said Pine, who adds that speakers do not have to live in Lawrence, nor must their presentations be about Lawrence.

The Lawrence Public Library also has a TEDxLawrence event in the works that will stream speakers via video, but March’s conference will be the first to bring TEDxLawrence speakers to the stage in person.

“We’re very excited,” said Pine, who hopes to make TEDxLawrence an annual event. “I find that if people are focused on ideas, conversations go a lot better. I think it affects people’s lives in a positive way.”

Potential speakers can apply online at www.ted.com/tedx/events/12392. The tentative deadline to apply is Feb. 16, but Pine said anyone interested should check the website for changes.