Vancouver to host TED Conference in 2014

The internationally-acclaimed TED Conference, a convention of ideas, innovation and inspiration watched by millions, is coming to Vancouver for 2014 and 2015, Mayor Gregor Robertson announced Monday.

For the 30th anniversary of the conference, TED – which stands for technology, entertainment, design – has chosen to move the annual event from Long Beach to Vancouver, and will run from March 17 to March 21, 2014. Dates for the 2015 event have not been released. 

The main event will be held at the Vancouver Convention Centre, where social innovators and community leaders will talk on a range of topics in the TED 18-minute format.

At the same time, Whistler will host TEDActive, a unique program that aims to inspire conversation through several field trips for adults. TEDActive, held at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler, will include a full simulcast of the entire conference.

Conference organizers said in release the audience will be scaled back from 1,400 to 1,200 attendees in order to encourage more “in-depth human connection.” Tickets for the five-day event cost $6,000 and will go on sale on Feb. 7.

Robertson said in a release the city partnered with the Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Vancouver and the Vancouver Convention Centre to support the conference in the city.

Attendees will select talks out of 100 TED speakers, some of which will speak on the main stage, and others in break-out groups or meals.

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Some of the past TED speakers include Bill Clinton, Steve Jobs, Arianna Huffington, Malcolm Gladwell, Tony Robbins and Bill Gates.

Here are the top 20 most-watched TED Talks:  

1. Sir Ken Robinson says schools kill creativity (2006): 14,850,200 views
2. Jill Bolte Taylor‘s stroke of insight (2008): 11,225,783
3. Pranav Mistry on the thrilling potential of SixthSense (2009): 9,897,347
4. David Gallo‘s underwater astonishments (2007): 8,204,051
5. Pattie Maes and Pranav Mistry demo SixthSense (2009): 7,747,690
6. Tony Robbins asks Why we do what we do (2006): 7,564,235
7. Simon Sinek on how great leaders inspire action (2010): 7,539,516
8. Brene Brown talks about the power of vulnerability (2010): 5,861,510
9. Steve Jobs on how to live before you die (2005): 5,444,022
10. Daniel Pink on the surprising science of motivation (2009): 5,534,123
11. Hans Rosling shows the best stats you’ve ever seen (2006): 5,249,928
12. Elizabeth Gilbert on nurturing your creative genius (2009): 5,020,869
13. Arthur Benjamin does mathemagic (2005): 4,951,918
14. Mary Roach on 10 things you didn’t know about orgasm (2009): 4,793,334
15. Dan Gilbert asks: Why are we happy? (2004): 4,759,217
16. Keith Barry does brain magic (2004): 4,475,303
17. Stephen Hawking asks big questions about the universe (2008): 4,470,236
18. Johnny Lee shows Wii Remote hacks for educators (2008): 3,997,174
19. Jeff Han demos his breakthrough multi-touchscreen (2006): 3,982,775
20. Barry Schwartz explores the paradox of choice (2005): 3,836,350 

The 2013 TED Conference is themed “The Young. The Wise. The Undiscovered,” and includes Bono, Peter Gabriel, and other speakers ranging from a deep-sea explorer to a beat boxer. Vancouver has hosted an independently organized TEDx Vancouver conference for the last four years where local speakers present on an overall theme.