Inaugural Inspire Dunedin organiser Sandra Spence said the two-day seminar and workshop event would attract "huge people in their fields" to the city.
The event would be similar to TED Talks, videos featuring the stories and teachings of leading business, technology and creative experts, Ms Spence said.
The event would be the final stop on a three-country tour for the speakers, and the only New Zealand stopover.
She encouraged Dunedin residents to attend the gold-coin donation event to ensure it became a fixture on the city’s calendar.
"If Dunedin supports this event, with these amazing speakers it could become as big as iD Fashion."
The event had a strong Dunedin emphasis as funds raised would go to the Sophie Elliott Foundation’s Loves Me Not high school education violence prevention project, she said.
As a mother of two teenage children, Ms Spence felt passionate about bringing speakers to Dunedin who would inspire people in all aspects of life while raising funds for the charity.
"My children are now starting to get into relationships and to honour everything Lesley Elliott has done after such a tragic event and give her a much-needed cash injection will benefit everyone in the city."
Mrs Elliott would join speakers, including Nobel Peace Prize nominee Dr Bart Rademaker, who would speak about mental and physical wellness, and renowned business results strategist Gary Rush at the event.
All speakers had volunteered their time for the event, Ms Spence said.
"They are doing it for free and to attend it is only a gold-coin donation.
"So what we are doing here is accessible and flows into everyone’s lives."
A series of workshops would be run by each speaker.
The workshops were not free, but tickets could be bought before each workshop and limited free tickets would be available to each workshop for students.
All funds raised would go to the Sophie Elliott Foundation.
● Day 1 Inspire Dunedin event: May 4, Forsyth Barr Stadium. Short talks by international presenters. Gold-coin donation.
Day 2: May 5, Forsyth Barr Stadium. Workshops hosted by presenters. $30 per person per workshop. Limited free tickets for students.
