Your TED experience
The TED Conference experience is like none other. Whether you’re a TED enthusiast or it’s your very first time joining us, this dynamic week is sure to become a highlight of your year.
From the electric moments in the TED Theater, when a talk resonates so deeply that goosebumps erupt on your arms, to the joy of making an unexpected connection with someone from a field adjacent to your own.
It's an enduring rush of inspiration. Get a glimpse of what we’re planning for you at TED2024.
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Our community
TED brings together a unique group of thinkers, doers, leaders and dreamers — a wide spectrum of individuals whose humility, kindness, and generosity speak louder than their brilliance.
Members of the TED community are on a journey of lifelong learning, with fierce determination to make the world a better place.
Get ready because at TED there are no strangers, just friends you’ve not met yet!
The TED theater
Architect and experience designer David Rockwell crafted the incredible pop-up theater for TED, using 8,000 custom pieces of Douglas Fir. Each year, a dedicated team lovingly assembles this architectural wonder, and after five days, the air is filled with a fresh, woody aroma, signaling that “it’s time for TED.”
The theater’s closeness to the speakers creates a communal vibe similar to that of a campfire. Every spot offers the ultimate viewing experience with a mix of seating options like couches, balcony spots, cozy chairs and wheelchair-accessible seating.
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Connecting breaks
A vital part of the TED experience, networking breaks give you easy ways to connect with other attendees — one-on-one or in groups.
Find a meeting space for a scheduled conversation, or let serendipity guide you over a barista-brewed coffee or snack.
Discovery Sessions
Not all great ideas are shared from a stage; some require closer exploration. Discovery Sessions bring ideas to life through expert-led experiences, in-the-field workshops, activities and excursions, all curated with an unparalleled understanding of what makes these sessions sing (yes, sometimes literally).
Sign up for bucket list activities that get you out, moving and interacting with ideas and connecting with others in unexpected ways.
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Parties + receptions
The parties and receptions at TED are designed with both extroverts and introverts in mind, offering opportunities for dynamic encounters and more quiet connection.
Food, music, new connections and signature TED fun create moments you’ll remember for years to come.
Ready to take the next step? Apply to attend today.
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The food program
Chef-crafted, mouth-watering, sustainable meals that take inspiration from local ingredients, as well as from flavor profiles from around the world.
Each meal accommodates dietary preferences including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan and more. Meals are a unique opportunity for serendipitous connections and engaging conversations.
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Dine Around dinners
Dine Around dinners are curated meals at some of Vancouver’s best restaurants and experiential venues.
From dinners designed to inspire conversation around intriguing topics to more experiential offerings for letting down your hair, prepare to be inspired and deeply connected to the TED community.
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Immersive activations
Walk the loop to discover dazzling tech demos, engaging hands-on activities and unique art that fuels your sense of wonder and creativity.
TED’s interactive exhibits, installations and immersive experiences are custom-created for the conference and stand as ideas of their own.
The Restore Lounge
Picture yourself in a relaxing space to unwind, complete with massages, aromatherapy, meditation and more.
This is your retreat during breaks, designed to help you recharge and prepare for the mental gymnastics of your TED experience.
Speaker meetups
TED speakers are not confined to the stage — they’re part of your journey.
Unlike other conferences, TED speakers are present until the end! You’ll find them at Speaker Meetups, at the TED Bookstore or when they pull up a seat to join your dinner table.
You’ll get multiple opportunities to connect with speakers directly, ask deeper questions and share experiences that add to the depth of their work.
The TED Bookstore
Imagine a special bookshop with titles written by TED speakers, community members and must-reads that elevate and extend your conference experience.
From mind-opening nonfiction to fiction that sweeps you away, it’s a place to stock up on reading material for the year ahead for you and your friends at home.
