It was an extremely difficult process to narrow 44 to the 16 below with so many fascinating topics.

Please find the topics below (or see a more attractive listing with photos in our speakers directory):

How We Thought It Would Happen: Prescient visions of the future from the Victorian past - Alex Herder
Pattern Recognition and Spimewatch: Living in the unevenly distributed future-present - Alex Howard
The Final (Tidal) Wave of Feminism - Amy Senger
The Future of Communications - Amy Webb
The future is intergenerational - Carol Scott
Worldbuilding - Dennis Bonilla
The Future of Dating - DJ Saul
Take my picture--but how? - Erin McCann
Facing the Music in the Future - Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman
Our Future Path to Prosperity - Matt Fellowes
Nobody Knows Anything! Or, How to Be Skeptical About the Future - Matt Malinowski
Will You Have Privacy In The Future? - Shaun Dakin
The Tragic Story of Web 4.0 - Shonali Burke
The Future of the Queue - Steven Mandzik
The Future of Storytelling - Sue Wang
Back to Barnraising: Why Hyperlocal Is The Future for Online Civic Engagement and Philanthropy - Tracy Viselli

Intrigued? Go get your ticket now!

Submit your idea for The Future now! -- Due Aug 15th!

Check out the first of our Ignite DC 4 videos, and subscribe to all the videos on iTunes (we release one per week).

We now have details on the next Ignite! Ignite DC 5 - The Future will focus on your 5-minute visions of the future.

No single person is likely to have an accurate, comprehensive vision of the future, but we think Ignite is the perfect format for sharing bite-sized predictions. It is our hope that those predictions, good and bad, will seed their own unique permutations in our minds, inspiring us to envision the future, and maybe even play a bigger role in creating it.

We're looking for talks which extrapolate or hypothesize a specific scientific advancement, policy direction, social norm, natural event, or new technology. We would prefer talks rooted in reality, which take creative license for the passage of time or unforeseen discoveries. Think of these like vignettes, tableaus, or flash futures. They can be delivered any way you like, but must make use of our 15-second-per-slide format.

At the end of this event, we'll be asking you for input on how these atomic visions of the future might be combined, and we'll share them as a map after the event.

Submit your idea for The Future now!

Last night was nothing short of amazing. Seriously, our speakers were amazing. Videos coming soon...

As promised, you can now submit your talk idea for the next Ignite DC, which will be September 30 in the same location. This Ignite will be a little different--we want to hear about your vision of/for the future. Maybe it's 1984 in 2025, perhaps it's how college will be taught by robots in 2050, or maybe you see us all living on Mars. I think the scope will be pretty wide, but we're going to add a lot more notes (to this page) in the next week or so, but for now I wanted to get the submission page up:

Submit your topic for Ignite DC 5

Stay tuned for more details, but save Sept 30 in your calendar!

Ignite DC 4 was amazing. We'll be emailing folks with some links to photos/videos, and we're already excited for what's ahead for Ignite, for DC, and for you.

The speakers for Ignite DC #4 have been announced!

It was an extremely difficult process to narrow 33 to the 16 below with so many fascinating topics. Please find the topics below (or see a more attractive listing with photos in our speakers directory):

See you all on June 16! Sign up here.

33 amazing speaker proposals have been submitted for Ignite DC #4 and we’d like your help in deciding who will take the stage!

You can read the details on each proposal by clicking on their link here. Then just leave a comment either on their speaker page or via Twitter (@IgniteDC) to cast your vote!

Thank you for helping, and thank you to everyone who submitted a proposal!

June will be here before we know it and we’re so excited to be hosting Ignite DC #4 on June 16th at Town Danceboutique! The past two Ignite DC events have been amazing and completely sold out! So get your ticket now!

Sign up here.

We’ve already had some really great speaker topics proposed for Ignite DC #4, but it’s not too late to submit yours! Speakers get 5 minutes and 20 slides that rotate automatically every 15 seconds to give their message to DC. We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Apply to speak here. Deadline: May 17.

One more thing, please help us spread the word! Here's 99 characters you might consider Tweeting ;-):

I can't wait for @IgniteDC #4! Registration and topic submissions are open at http://ignite-dc.com!

Thanks, and see you at Ignite DC #4!!!

Another sold out Ignite event- Ignite DC #3- was a huge success! A huge thank you to all who were involved- the sponsors, the speakers and the attendees- we had a great time and hope you did, too!

Photos have been posted to our Flickr (tagged ignitedc). Videos will be coming soon (subscribe here on iTunes). If you have photos or posts you would like to share about the event, please tag them ignitedc! We would love to see them!

Apply to speak here. Deadline: May 10.

One more thing, please help us spread the word! Here's a few characters you might consider Tweeting ;-):
I can't wait for @IgniteDC #4! Topic submissions just opened at http://ignite-dc.com!

Thanks, and see you at Ignite DC #4!!!

The speakers for Ignite DC #3 have been announced! It was an extremely difficult process to narrow 35 to the 16 below with so many fascinating topics. Please find the topics below (or see a more attractive listing with photos in our speakers directory):

• Martin Ringlein Making Ideas Happen
• Michael Doornbos On inspiring kids by thinking big in space
• Libby Sinback Make a Joyful Noise: How to Sing (and Why You Should)
• Dennis Bonilla Axis and Axes
• Melissa Vallejo Let's Get Sticky!!!
• Khadijah Ali-Coleman Motherhood is Revolutionary: How choosing to parent is the "anti" in today's times
• Matt Stempeck How Going Analog Can Improve Your Digital Life
• John Bordeaux 2010 - The Redesign of US Education Begins
• Geoff Livingston Using Your Skills to Change the World
• Adam Conner Confessions of a Kickball Veteran
• Clive Roux Form Is Dead, Long Live Form
• Yvonne Stone Why I Work for the Government...Anyway
• Suzanne Reilley RECESS
• Jake Brewer Public = Online : Your Government in Real Time
• Kathy Guillermo A look into the Exotic Animal Trade
• Carl Roose Beyond the font menu: 7 tips for bettering your lettering

See you all on Feb 18!

Ignite DC #2 was barely over before people started asking about #3. Well, you don’t have to wait any longer! February 18 is the date, and we loved Town Danceboutique so much that we have decided to meet there again. We’ve had such a great response to the first two events, you’ll want to hurry and get your spot before it's too late!

Sign up here.

If you had five minutes on stage, what would you say to Washington, DC? What if you only had 20 slides and they rotated automatically every 15 seconds? We’d love to hear your thoughts!

Apply to speak here. Deadline: January 10.

One more thing, please help us spread the word! Here's 102 characters you might consider Tweeting ;-):
I can't wait for @IgniteDC #3! Registration and topic submissions just opened at http://ignite-dc.com!

Thanks, and see you at Ignite DC #3!!!

Ignite DC #2 was another huge success! The speakers were amazing, the sponsors were amazing, and the attendees were amazing. A huge thank you to all who were involved- we had a great time and hope you did too!

Photos have been posted to our Flickr (official photos / tagged ignitedc). Videos will be coming soon (subscribe here on iTunes). If you have photos or posts you would like to share about the event, please tag them ignitedc! We would love to see them!

Otherwise, check back soon, as information on Ignite DC #3 will be posted shortly! You can follow us on Twitter (@ignitedc) to be sure you are kept up-to-date!

We're thrilled with both how quickly Ignite DC #2 sold out the first 225 tickets and with the diversity and richness of talks that will be at next week's event. Thank you all.

We want to make sure that we fill every seat at the venue, so we've waited until 7 days before the event to let in the last batch of spots. So we've just opened up the final 25 tickets.

You can claim one of the last 25 spots here!

We hope to see you all there next week at Town DC. Check out the awesome list of speakers and topics!

Selling out 470 tickets to Ignite DC #1, there was no question that people were hungry for a place to share their ideas and passion in DC. So, we're back with a new, more intimate venue for October 8th. That means you'd better get your spot before it's too late!

Sign up here.

Last time we had 55 people apply to speak, and some of the people who spoke have been contacted for national engagements, interviews, and all sorts of good things. We want you to share your idea with DC and help to keep our tiny, almost-a-state on the map.

Apply to speak here. Deadline: August 31.

One more thing, please help us spread the word! Here's 102 characters you might consider Tweeting ;-):
I can't wait for @IgniteDC #2! Registration and topic submissions just opened at http://ignite-dc.com!

Thanks, and see you at Ignite DC #2!!!

The inaugural Ignite DC was a huge success! We sold out, had 17 amazing speakers, and people stayed late into the night chatting about the talks and sharing their passions.

Many people documented the event, and we'll be linking to and releasing videos, photos, and links to the speakers' slides over the coming weeks.

Stay tuned and we'll be in touch!

Ignite DC is coming up Thursday! Have you seen our speaker list? WOW. Now here's the story for those of you who have tickets and those of you who don't, as well as info on getting there and food.

If You Have a Free Ticket

You are guaranteed admittance until 6:45. After 6:45 we're going to keep track of there being 400 people in the room. Maybe it won't be full, maybe it will be full. So get there before 6:45 and you won't have to worry.

If You DON'T Have a Ticket

We'll have a wait list line, first come first serve. At 6:45 we'll let in people until we hit 400. If it's raining, we'll have a tent. You won't be able to buy a drink, but there'll be plenty of cool people to talk to. If we fill up, people will still be leaving and we'll do the whole one-out, one-in thing that you all love so much.

If You Have a Paid Ticket (Sponsors, Contributors, etc.)

We love you. Come any time.

Getting there

It's so easy to get here. Take the Green Line to Navy Yard and follow signs for the Nationals Stadium. When you exit the metro toward the stadium you won't have a choice but to see the Half Street entrance to Ignite DC because we're RIGHT THERE, less than 10 feet away.

If you want to drive, there's a lot of street parking, but no promises. The address is 55 M St SE, but enter on the Half Street side next to the Metro.

If you're wondering, there is NOT a Nationals game that night. Phew!

Food, Beer, and Wine

There will be Yuengling, Guiness, and, um, PBR, as well as red and white wines. We will card people at the entrance. Of course, there will be soda & water.

Food will be catered by The College Perk, most likely caprese salad, veggie and turkey wraps, hot kabobs, fruit cups, and a cheese & olive dish.

A portion of sales from food/drinks goes toward funding Ignite DC. Please help us and dine here : ).

Have Questions

Tickets are non-transferable-by-us. If your friend gave you a ticket, just tell us their name at the door. If you have other questions, please ask below in the comments.

Have Fun!!

We're so excited. A lot of people have put in a lot of work to ensure the first DC Ignite totally rocks. Thank you, and see you Thursday. Doors open at 6pm.

The speakers for Ignite DC have been announced! It was an extremely difficult process to narrow 53 to the 16 below with so many fascinating topics. Please find the topics below (or see a more attractive listing with photos in our speakers directory):

• Peter Corbett The Future of The Social Capital
• Jacob Colker Crowdsourced Volunteerism via Smartphones -- The Promise of a New Approach
• Clay Johnson How We Can Open Our Government
• Mike Subelsky Undoing Your Social Training and Creative Inhibitions in Five Minutes
• Matt Billings Radiohead, Babies,& SMS Magic
• P.W. Singer Wired for War: The Robotics Revolution and Conflict in the 21st Century
• Erin Rooney Doland The Desk Whisperer
• Amanda Hirsch My Dog Cosmo
• David Schulman For a while, I dreamed of a website called 'clamor'...
• Sam Nitz Everyone Needs to Come Out at Least Once
• Susanna Haas Lyons Citizen Voices Driving Federal Policy - A Dream Come True?
• Pat Padua Mitten's Movie Titlers
• Melody Hildebrandt Web Capitalism Doesn't Need a Bailout
• Clyde Wright Why learning how to dance will make you a better person
• Gesel Mason How to Watch a Modern Dance Concert or What in the Hell Are They Doing on Stage?
• Nora von Ingersleben What Jimmy Stewart can teach us about the US tech industry

Thank you to all of you who submitted topics. Please stick with us and submit again...there just wasn't enough room for everyone, but honestly, you all rocked. Thanks so much!

See you all on May 14!

Info on the Ignite DC Date/Location is here

Wow, Ignite DC is now sold out! And as of midnight tonight we will no longer accept talk submissions!

Fortunately, there will be a contingency plan for people who missed a chance to get a ticket. It will involve waiting in line on the night-of Ignite DC, and if someone doesn't show up, having an opportunity to take their spot. We'll keep you posted.

Later this week we'll post news on the selected talks. Thanks so much for submitting so many ideas (49!) and for so many of you being interested (over 400!). This is going to be a huge success and we're looking forward to meeting you all!

GET ON THE WAIT LIST -- you'll probably still get in!

Info on the Ignite DC Date/Location is here

--

We've had a lot of questions about the Proposal Process. Here are a few notes:

1. We want all ideas!!! No idea is too big or too small or not techie enough or too philosophical. Bring it on! (though we'd especially love things that relate to DC specifically)
2. The last day to submit a proposal is April 19th
3. We'll let people know if there proposal was selected by April 22nd
4. Those selected will need to get us their slides by May 12th

What are you waiting for? SUBMIT A PROPOSAL NOW!

--

In the mean time you can follow us or write to us on Twitter at @ignitedc!. If you have a private question, you can write to questions [AT] ignite-dc.com

REGISTER NOW!

Ignite DC will take place on Thursday, May 14th from 6-10pm at 55 M St, SE--directly across from the Navy Yard Metro.

If you don't recognize that location, it's because it's brand new--and a partner of ours, Artomatic, was kind enough to share their building before their month-long show opens.

We're very excited for the inaugural Ignite DC. REGISTER HERE or SUBMIT A PROPOSAL to present!

In the mean time you can follow us or write to us on Twitter at @ignitedc!. If you have a private question, you can write to questions [AT] ignite-dc.com