About TED

Since 1984 the world’s leading thinkers and doers have been gathering once a year for an event they variously describe as “the ultimate brain spa,” “Davos for optimists” and “a four-day journey into the future, in the company of those creating it.”

What are they talking about? TED—a conference like no other. TED stands for technology, entertainment and design—three broad disciplines that are collectively shaping our future. The event is broader still, showcasing brilliant ideas that matter from any discipline during more than fifty presentations and several morning and evening events. The intense, immersive environment allows attendees and speakers from vastly different fields to draw inspiration from unlikely places and cross-fertilize their ideas.

Unexpected connections. Extraordinary insights. Potent inspiration. That is the practical magic TED generates when a thousand of the world’s most remarkable people gather.

Curious? To grasp the essence of TED, check out some of the over two hundred short TEDTalks available on an array of topics at www.ted.com, or download them from iTunes.

“I wasn’t prepared for this conference to be so profound”
— Bill Gates

“TED is a think tank for humanity. It is a gathering of exceptional individuals, all with the ability to make a difference. We come, we listen, we participate, we learn, we apply and we improve. At its core, TED is a community built on innovation and invention, and this is consistent with our principles. We also sponsor Ted because it inspires us and helps inform our thinking, both personally and professionally, throughout the year.”
— Don Levy, Sr. VP, Sony Pictures