TED is the brand of the conferences where some of the world's leading thinkers and doers are invited to share what they are most passionate about. TED defines its mission as "ideas worth spreading"
"TED" stands for Technology, Entertainment, Design, three broad subject areas that are, collectively, shaping our future. And in fact, the event is broader still, showcasing ideas that matter in any discipline. Attendees have called it "the ultimate brain spa" and "a four-day journey into the future". The diverse audience (CEOs, scientists, creatives, philanthropists , entrepreneurs) is almost as extraordinary as the speakers, who have included Bill Clinton, Bill Gates, Sir Richard Branson, Philippe Starck and Bono. The lectures, also called TED Talks, cover a broad set of topics including science, arts and design, politics, education, culture, business, global issues, technology and development, and entertainment. More than 400 TED talks are provided for free viewing online on www.TED.com. As of April 2009, talks had been viewed over 100 million times by more than 18 million people. Ideas that are changing the world: The ideas on TED.com are powerful. Our speakers think big-predicting and shaping the future of technology, creating and implementing ingenious solutions to global problems, and innovating in business, science, technology, design and the arts. On TED.com, these thinkers and doers find a platform to share their ideas, inspire others and catalyze astonishing change in every corner of the world. An extraordinary level of engagement: Watching a TEDTalk is not a passive act - it's the beginning of a deep interaction with a bold idea.
- TED's celebrated format: A suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances (live, or just TEDTalks videos from TED.com) on a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder -- and to provoke conversations that matter
- TEDTalks videos: A minimum of two pre-recorded talks from the acclaimed TEDTalks video series (available free on TED.com)
- Bias-free programming: Lack of any commercial, religious or political agenda
Short history on TED
Attendance at TED is by application, and the attendees - CEOs, scientists, designers, intellectuals - are as extraordinary as the speakers, who in 2007 included former US President Bill Clinton, author Isabel Allende, legendary biologist E.O. Wilson, designer Phillipe Starck, and Virgin CEO Richard Branson. Indeed, TED's success is based on the extraordinary effect of bringing together 1,000 of the world's most remarkable people across many fields. The result? Unexpected connections. Extraordinary insights. Powerful inspiration. TED was first held in 1984. Twenty-seven years later, this legacy of innovation and influence continues.
The TED Conferences & TEDx Events
About TEDx, x = independently organized event
In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized 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 self-organized. (Subject to certain rules and regulations.)
TEDx is an inventive new way of bringing TED to the world. The TEDx program allows communities around the world to create their own independent, TED-like events. Under a TEDx license, hosts curate their own programs, combining brilliant live speakers with TEDTalks videos.
Launched in March 2009, TEDx is the newest and most rapidly expanding TED initiative. In the first year, more than 200 TEDx events have been organized by passionate individuals, reaching today over 1000 TEDx events.
TED holds now with his partners five yearly conferences.
The events range widely in size - some fill theaters with hundreds of attendees, and involve rockstars, public intellectuals and highly successful business leaders, while others consist of a handful of people meeting for intimate discussion.
TED at Long Beach and TEDGlobal in Edinburgh, Scotland.
TEDWomen in December, TEDxYouth in November, TEDxChange in April and many more TEDx Events around the globe.
Attending a TED conference is by application. There are several levels of conference membership, and attendance fees (around $6,000 /pers for Long Beach & Edinburgh) depend on which level and conference you choose.