About

What is Ignite North Bay

Ignite North Bay is a volunteer run event. Brave speakers have 5 minutes and 20 auto advancing slides to inform, enlighten or inspire us about their deepest passion. One mic, a few slides and an overly honest discussion about our community, culture and world.

Why Ignite North Bay

We believe that there is untapped greatness in our community. Ignite North Bay is meant to give that greatness a venue and a voice that will inspire others to embrace their dreams and transform their community and the world.

The Ignite Audience

The audience at Ignite is generous and patient. They know the Ignite format is difficult, and they realize you might be an absolute beginner at public speaking. Don't worry – they've got your back. You're giving them your passion and your vulnerability, and they love you for that. You won't find a more appreciative audience at any other event.

Donating to Our Community

We are a volunteer run event that gives what we make to local non profits! Want to nominate a non profit or are you looking for a list of local non profits to give to? Here is who we love and have given to!

Speaking at Ignite North Bay

Will you accept the challenge and step up to inform, enlighten and inspire us? Speaking at Ignite is an unforgettable experience. You step up to the mic. Your palms sweat. You can hear the thump of your blood rushing. Your voice cracks for an instant and then you launch into a rant for 300 straight seconds, wearing your passion on your sleeve, barely pausing to breathe. The crowd goes wild! What's your burning idea? There is no theme for Ignite. You can talk about virtually anything as long as you can show us your passion for it. What's the thing you most geek out about? What's the topic of conversation that quickens your pulse and sets your toe a-tappin'? That is what we want to hear you speak about.

Format

All speakers get equal time and equal billing. All talks are 5 minutes. You create 20 slides, and we set them up to auto-advance every 15 seconds.

This ain't self-help time

Some people think Ignite is about self-help talks. It isn't. Nobody wants to hear a preachy pep talk. We're already "good enough and smart enough," so let's keep this about you and your passionate ideas.

Seriously, no pitching

Finally, we're serious about the no pitching thing. We know that sometimes a speaker must mention their profession in order to give their talk context, which is totally fine. But Ignite is not the place to tout your organization or to troll for clients.

Donating to our Community

We are a volunteer run event that gives what we make to local non profits! Want to nominate a non profit or are you looking for a list of local non profits to give to? Here is who we love and have given to!