There is certainly no shortage of information these days. Between social media, artificial intelligence, headlines, opinions, notifications and the endless stream of things competing for our attention, figuring out what actually matters can be a challenge.
That is exactly what TEDxMacatawa plans to explore this year.
TEDxMacatawa returns to Holland Monday, Oct. 5, with its 2026 theme, “Signal & Noise,” bringing local and regional speakers together at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts at Hope College.
The theme focuses on finding clarity amid the information and misinformation that fill everyday life. According to TEDxMacatawa, this year's presenters will share ideas and stories about how we can make sense of the world around us.
Doors open at 12:30 p.m., with the main conference running from 1 to 5 p.m. An afterglow celebration will follow from 5 to 7:30 p.m., giving attendees a chance to stick around, connect and continue the conversation.
The 2026 lineup brings together speakers from a variety of backgrounds, with topics ranging from creativity and artificial intelligence to housing, sports, careers, human connection and the ways our environments communicate with us.
Travis Williams will explore our relationship with the natural world in “We Stopped Trusting Our Instincts. Nature Never Did.”
Kristin Armstrong will talk about creativity and what new research could mean for individuals and communities, while Matt Baxter will challenge the role of the traditional resume with “The Resume is Noise.”
Other talks will tackle some bigger questions facing communities and individuals. Chris Marco will discuss the housing crisis, David Vandermolen will explore why “Everyone’s Talking. Nobody’s Listening,” and Cecilia Puente will look at conversations that have the potential to change us.
Drew Morgan will take on cybernetics, while Nina Shaye will explore what makes us human as intelligence becomes increasingly artificial.
David Fleming will look at youth sports and how they can be approached with a focus on lifelong development.
Andrew Peterson will present “Noise Is a Signal: What Our Spaces Are Trying to Tell Us,” exploring the ways people, design and technology shape the environments around us.
The day will also include a musical performance from The Reverend Jesse Ray, who will bring a mix of rockabilly, blues and Americana to the stage.
The presentations are designed around the TEDx format, with speakers developing a focused idea rather than simply delivering a traditional lecture. TEDxMacatawa says selected presenters go through coaching and rehearsal ahead of the event to help refine their talks and prepare for the stage.
And for those who don't want the conversation to end when the final talk does, the Afterglow Celebration will run until 7:30 p.m.
TEDxMacatawa is an independently organized TED event that brings the TED experience to West Michigan. TEDx events are locally organized while following TED's general guidelines for creating events centered around ideas worth spreading.
The Holland event has become an opportunity for community members, professionals, creatives and curious locals to spend an afternoon hearing ideas from people working and creating throughout the region.
This year's theme feels particularly fitting for the moment.
With more information available to us than ever before, “Signal & Noise” asks a simple question: What is actually worth paying attention to?
TEDxMacatawa will spend the afternoon exploring that question from a variety of angles, with speakers bringing their own experiences and ideas to the conversation.
The event is open to all ages and will be held in person at the Jack H. Miller Center for Musical Arts, 221 Columbia Ave. in Holland. The full event runs approximately six and a half hours, including the afterglow.
Tickets are available through the TEDxMacatawa website and Eventbrite, although attendees should check the current Eventbrite listing for the latest pricing and availability.
For the latest speaker information, tickets and event updates, visit TEDxMacatawa.
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