The region’s largest private homebuilder, Neal Communities, donated $2,500 as a Pathfinder Sponsor for TEDxBradenton. Taking place on September 29, 2023, at State College of Florida, the event seeks to highlight local ideas and the area’s rich and diverse talent working to convert those ideas into community initiatives.
The theme of this year’s TEDxBradenton is “Writing the Future,” and 150 attendees, including speakers and volunteers, are expected.
This is the second year the TEDxBradenton event has been held and the second year Neal Communities has sponsored the event. Last year, the private homebuilder gave $1,000 to help offset the operating costs of the event. This year, Neal Communities has more than doubled that sponsorship to $2,500.
Sarah Toedman, a new home sales associate with Neal Communities, is part of a planning committee for the TEDxBradenton event. Toedman worked with a TEDx program at Florida State University several years ago, and because of that experience, she was asked to be part of the planning committee for the inaugural Bradenton event and has continued to serve on the committee.
“We’re excited to be producing TEDxBradenton for the second year,” said Toedman. “Bradenton has so many locals that are doing fabulous things for our community as well as new people moving here every day and bringing new ideas worth sharing.”
The Neal Communities sponsorship will help offset some of the cost for live streaming and production of the event.
“Neal Communities gives back to all of their current local communities that they are building in, throughout the west coast of Florida,” said Toedman. “Spreading ideas to make where you live a better place means a lot to the Bradenton area and people. I am very grateful for the support from Neal Communities in my personal endeavor to give back to this community.”
TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience in the spirit of ideas worth spreading. At a TEDx event, both live and recorded speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection.
This year’s speaker lineup for TEDxBradenton includes Robyn Faucy of Results 1st as master of ceremony, Mark Gordon of the Business Observer and the Observer Media Group, Travis Ray of Dapper Bowtique, Dominic Marino of Oyster Boys Conservation, Xtavia Bailey of Next Level Coaching and Consulting, author and educator Dr. Richard C. Harris, Andre Hendrix of The Village Health & Wellness, author and speaker Natalie Baird-King, Esq., Mitch Lomazov of EXCELLence Performance, Omar Edwards of the School District of Manatee County, urban designer Elma Felix, Derek Ober of Northwestern Mutual, Carlos Portillo of Suncoast Youth for Christ, Larissa Lippe of Smart Kids Tutor LLC, Chase Pettey of Adventure for All and Shannon Live of Bat City Comic Professionals.
With a core belief that “Where You Live Matters,” Neal Communities has given more than $7.75 million to local charities throughout Southwest Florida and is committed to the communities where they live, work and build. The latest giving is an example of the company’s philanthropic culture.
“We encourage our teammates at Neal Communities to get involved in organizations and events that make a difference in people’s lives and in the communities where they live,” said Pat Neal, founder and chairman of Neal Communities. “We are pleased to be able to support many of those initiatives.”
For tickets and more information about TEDxBradenton, visit www.tedxbradenton.com. For more information about Neal Communities, visit www.NealCommunities.com.
