First and foremost, we're moving to a spectacular location: Vancouver, Canada, one of the world's great cities, combining a thriving culture of innovation, with glorious nature. There's a new convention center there in the harbor that takes our breath away. It's across the street from three terrific hotels, with more options within a short walk, and offers majestic 360-degree views of water and mo
untains. From 1,400 in Long Beach, we'll reduce to just 1,200 attendees. Every successful conference has to find a balance between scale and intimacy, and we think this is the year to nudge back a little smaller, so that in-depth human connection will be easier. Third, we're inviting back to TED2014 some of the best TED speakers of all time. Not necessarily for the main stage ... but to join us in the audience, and contribute to breakout groups, lunches and dinners. TED2014 will feel like a glorious reunion, and a wonderful opportunity to connect one on one with the people who've done so much to shape how we see the world. Finally, we're pulling in some of TED's greatest design talents to help us create a new kind of theater space. The convention center includes a beautiful open area that is perfect for us to install a custom-designed-for-talk-theater we have long dreamed of -- one whose sole goal is connect speaker with audience as powerfully as possible. Nothing quite like this currently exists. The TED2014 experience includes:
Starting Monday at 6pm, the famous TED mainstage program full of 18-minute talks, plus music, comedy, dance, short talks, video and other surprises. TED Fellows Talks, where you'll hear about projects and visions of the next generation of world-changers. TED University, where TEDsters share their own expertise, from "How to negotiate a term sheet" to "How to break a board with your bare hands." Evening events, art exhibits, tech demos and other immersive experiences
Caffeine-fueled conversation breaks between sessions
Spaces to watch TED in an informal setting -- on couches, beds, beanbag chairs; while blogging, tweeting, eating, networking ...
The TED Gift Bag
Online tools for connecting with other attendees, before and after the conference
TED Book Club mailings
