Marian Spier is a lecturer at the University of Amsterdam and Vice-president of TEDxAmsterdam. She has been responsible for the experience of the TEDx events. TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design. The x for independently organized. Every year a big event is organized, with side events such TEDxAmsterdamYouth, TEDxAmsterdamWomen, TEDxChange and TEDxAmsterdamED (education).