Dr Ian Yeoman is a specialist travel and tourism futurologist who believes in Star Trek, is an eternal optimist, crazy about Sunderland AFC and enjoys cooking. Ian is a Visiting Professor at the European Tourism Futures Institute at Stenden University who commutes and holidays around the world. Author and editor of thirteen books including 2050: Tomorrows Tourism; Tomorrows Tourist and Family Tourism (with another three due for publication in 2014). A qualified teacher with a PhD in Operational Research. Ian is presently writing a thesis for a higher doctorate on 'how we see the future of tourism'.

In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, selforganized events that bring people together to share a TEDlike experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, selforganized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are selforganized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)