[UPDATED]

As New Orleans approaches its five-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, TEDxNOLA wants to help the city move onward.

“TED is bringing people together to discuss how New Orleans has found ways to cope with their crises and grow from them,” said media coordinator David Baker, who is part of the conference committee.

Rebuilding New Orleans has required innovative and creative ideas; Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Le Petit Theater, the conference “TEDxNOLA: Crisis and Creativity” will showcase these dynamic ideas. The cost is $35 at TEDxNOLA.com or at the door.

Whether dealing a hurricane, oil spill or major economic collapse, TED focuses on  sharing “ideas worth spreading,” says Baker.

TED (Technology, Entertainment, and Design), the parent company started in 1984, brought people together to talk about any topic that was important to them. Speakers include Mayor Mitch Landrieu (to address “Resilience”), Plaquemines Parish President Billy Nungesser (to address “Crisis Response”), and Branford Marsalis (to discuss the Musicians’ Village with Lolis Eric Elie). Shamarr Allen will open the conference and Glen David Andrews will perform before the final two speakers: Harry Shearer and Wendell Pierce.

“This is an opportunity for New Orleans to share with the rest of the world as they face different crises such as the earthquake in Haiti, recent floods in Pakistan, the wild fires in California,” Baker says.

[UPDATE]: A live stream of TedxNola is available here.