Chicago Ideas Week Is Changing The World One Mind At A Time

Every October, Chicago Ideas Week invites thought leaders from around the world to the City of Big Shoulders with one simple goal: to inspire Chicagoans to take some action.

By making educational lectures, hands-on labs and networking opportunities affordable and accessible, Chicago Ideas not only embraces but also encourages greater diversity in problem-solving and conversation.

Easy on the wallet

While many idea festivals (TED, SXSW) cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, Chicago Ideas charges only $15 per event.

Jones, who is from Chicago, was drawn to the non-profit organization because Chicago Ideas believes that strong ideas lead directly to action.

The speakers and artists who present each year offer unique perspectives on an enormous variety of topics. The hope is that these presenters inspire listeners and participants to go out into the world and actually do something to make it a better place.

Jones adds, “One idea can have an impact instantly.”

Ali Velshi and Rafat Ali, Founder of Chicago Ideas Week

Impact on Chicago

Chicago’s rich history of academics and incredibly diverse population make it a gold mine for varied outlooks on subjects such as entrepreneurship, journalism, creativity and music, to name but a few of the areas covered at the 2018 festival.

However, as Jones pointed out, answers to many pressing issues don’t all live in Chicago. Bringing in tons of talent and inspiration from outside the city, while also ensuring people who otherwise might not be able to attend an event like this get through the door, Chicago Ideas spreads valuable information further, faster.

And the numbers speak for themselves, with roughly 30,000 people attending Chicago Ideas events each year.

In addition to the annual week-long event, Chicago Ideas Youth focuses on the city’s future leaders, entrepreneurs and artists through programming year-round. Nearly 2,000 high schoolers around town participate in events designed to expose them to ideas they either haven’t heard before or aren’t sure how to tackle on their own.

There’s also the Ambassador Program that sends 35 teenagers from underrepresented Chicago communities to Chicago Ideas events and introduces them to renowned thought leaders in different industries.

These youth-centric programs make Chicago Ideas an invaluable organization to the Windy City. In a city struggling with segregation, violence and inequality, teaching young people what it means to act on an idea and how to connect with others to make the world a better place is essential.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.