TEDxGosport 2026 is fast approaching, with the event set to bring a day of inspiring talks, ideas and conversation to GoSport Activity Centre on 5 September.
This year's event will explore the theme of Connection, with speakers sharing ideas and experiences that examine the many ways we connect with ourselves, each other, our communities and the world around us.
From connecting with your inner child and climbing a tree, to connecting with the hidden world of microbes, TEDxGosport will bring together a diverse range of voices and perspectives, creating a space for audiences to discover new ideas, challenge their thinking and get inspired.
For Sponsor Carl Ware of Warewolf Creative, who is returning as the event's videographer for a second year, the theme of Connection closely reflects what TEDxGosport is all about.
“Connection to me means exactly what TEDx is... TEDxGosport is bringing everyone together to bring this community-based vibe, which is great, and we are looking forward to future years of TEDxGosport.”
Making an event like TEDxGosport possible is the support of its sponsors, whose involvement has helped the team bring this year's event to life.
For many of those supporting the event, being involved is about more than simply sponsoring TEDxGosport – it is about supporting the local community and being part of something that brings people together.
Sponsor Daniel Wood, Managing Director at Nettl of Fareham, is supporting TEDxGosport with web and digital services. He said the event's theme of Connection reflects what he has seen among the team and speakers.
“Connection means family, and I see a lot of that here with the people taking part and how close they've become and how closely they work together. It is a really amazing vibe and I am proud to be a part of it.”
Daniel said he became a sponsor to: “Support the local community, both the business and residential community, and to be part of that connection these speakers and team have.”
Sponsor Alia Thomas, photographer for TEDxGosport 2026, said: “Very excited to be a part of such a great community and celebrating the people of Gosport.”
For Clare Welch of Hambleside Merchandise, which is supporting the event with merchandise including notebooks, mugs and pens, being involved is another way of supporting the local community.
“It is a great thing to be part of, to sponsor a great event that means a lot to the people in the community.”
The support of sponsors, both financial and in-kind, has helped the TEDxGosport team create an event that would not otherwise be possible. Hampshire County Council provided financial sponsorship for this year’s event. Cllr Zoe Huggins BEM, Leader of Gosport Borough Council and Hampshire County Councillor, said:
“Connection is at the heart of what makes a community strong. It is about bringing people together, sharing ideas, listening to different perspectives and recognising that, together, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone.
Gosport has a remarkable spirit of community, creativity and resilience. TEDx Gosport provides an exciting opportunity to connect our town with new ideas, inspiring voices and people who want to make a difference.
As Leader of Gosport Borough Council, I am delighted to welcome the second TEDx Gosport and to see our town take its place on a wider stage. I hope this event sparks conversations, creates new connections and inspires people to see what is possible when we come together.”
TEDxGosport 2025 speaker and this year's sponsor liaison, Duke Harrison Hunter, said: “Without sponsors, we couldn't do even half of what we are doing at TEDxGosport... We owe a great deal to our sponsors... We had some sponsors that responded with a quick yes to supporting us... The response from sponsors has always been positive... and as soon as you say TEDxGosport, they want to be involved.”
For TEDxGosport Licence Holder Annalise James, the support of sponsors is an important part of creating an event that can bring people together and give a platform to ideas that can make a difference.
She said: “Last year was a real proof-of-concept year for us... This year, the interest has been phenomenal because local advocates have put their names out there.
We have also welcomed new sponsors, including HW Conveyancing Searches, Alia Thomas Photography, Hampshire Flag Company, Hampshire County Council, Natty's and Hambleside Merchandise, all of whom are supplying different things…. We have been lucky to have other venues across Gosport supporting us with different things, too.”
The TEDxGosport team has also received support from businesses and organisations across Gosport, including Boathouse Café, the Alverbank, YourSpace and Gosport Museum and Art Gallery, which have provided spaces for meetings, auditions, rehearsal and showcase events.
Additional support has included fashion guidance from Lisa Talbot, helping speakers to feel confident on stage.
Annalise added that: “The event couldn't work without sponsorship, whether that's financial support or giving their time and resources. It is all community-led, it is all not-for-profit, and it is all run by our amazing volunteers... They are bringing that feel-good factor and are willing to showcase our town and shape and share our incredible ideas.”
The event is supported by a team of 18 volunteers, working across everything from speaker coaching, PR, logistics, marketing, social media and more.
“Every part of the process has a person or people attached to it who are just giving their time to something that is super unique to our community. For Gosport, ideas deserve to shine, and our volunteers feel the same.
Between the volunteers and the sponsors, it is the lifeblood of the event, so I want to thank all of them for making TEDxGosport happen.”
On behalf of the TEDxGosport team and speakers, we would like to thank all of our sponsors and volunteers for their support in making this year's event possible and helping us create a space to share ideas, inspire others and connect with our community.
For more information about TEDxGosport 2026, speakers and tickets, visit the TEDxGosport website.
TEDxGosport 2026: Connection with sponsors to create ideas worth sharing
