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 from all disciplines through 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 more than 560 short TEDTalks available at www.ted.com — 150 of them subtitled in Japanese — or download them from iTunes.

Here is what past attendees have said about the TED conference:

“I wasn’t prepared for this conference to be so profound. The combined IQ of the attendees is incredible.”

– Bill Gates

“A mind-opening experience. If it opens any more, I am afraid it will float past the ozone layer.”

– Amy Tan, author

“I’ve said to people that TED is like wine from a great vineyard. There is never a bad year, but some are exceptionally good. This year was pure magic. … Once Jill spoke, everyone seemed more open and honest… on stage and definitely amongst the attendees. … You asked the right questions and got tremendous answers.”

– Don Levy, Sony Pictures Digital

“What an amazing opportunity you gave me. I won’t waste it.”

– Majora Carter, executive director, Sustainable South Bronx

TED helps me to reset expectations of what can be done, and what ought to be done to help create a better world.

– Doug Wilson, Next Solutions, Inc.