Home Vancouver TED and TEDx Conferences

Vancouver TED and TEDx Conferences

TEDx Conferences in Vancouver

Metro Vancouver is host to several inspirational TED and TEDx conferences as well as the world-famous annual TED conference itself.

TED-related conferences are events with high-quality speakers that educate, inspire and motivate their audiences.

In 2024 the TED Conference happens in the week of April 15th to 19th. It costs thousands of dollars to attend in person. You can usually watch parts of the conference for free, however, at venues like the main North Vancouver Library and West Vancouver Memorial Library. For details about where you can watch the conference’s talks for free when they happen, see our article about Free TED Conference Screenings.

 

TED and TEDx Conferences

Since 2014, the official annual international TED Conference has been held in Vancouver most years. It’s back in town again in 2024. This year, the event runs from April 15th to 19th. The theme of the event is “The Brave and the Brilliant.” To learn more see the official TED Conference 2024 website.

TED and TEDx events feature short talks and presentations about technology and design, as well as other scientific, cultural, and academic topics. TEDx events, like TEDxWhistler and TEDxSFU, feature local leaders, inspirational public speakers, change makers and people who make their audiences think. International TED conferences usually sell out months in advance.

 

TED Conference

The 2024 TED Conference takes place from Monday, April 15th to Friday, April 19th at the Vancouver Convention Centre. More than 70 speakers take the stage over the course of the event.

Along with the standard TED Talks during the five days, there are also various workshops, exhibits and other more interactive experiences on offer. As well, TED presents the opportunity to connect with a wide range of experts in various fields.

Because there is so much demand to attend this event, each person who wants to go must submit an application to do so which is reviewed by TED. It’s also quite expensive! The cheapest tickets to the event cost $6,250, with some ranging up to $25,000. For those who don’t have the means to attend this event, there are multiple other TEDx events that usually run in Vancouver and the surrounding area.

For more information about the TED Conference, visit the official TED website.

 

TEDxWhistler 2021

 

TEDxWhistler 2023

TEDxWhistler took place on May 7th in 2023. The event happened both in-person and online last year.

Speakers at the event in 2023 included Kim Campbell (Canada’s 19th Prime Minister), Heather Paul (a community-minded leader), Ashley Freeborn (an entrepreneur) and many more.

2024 dates and details are to be confirmed. For the latest information about the event, see the TEDxWhistler.com website.

 

Other Vancouver TEDx Events

TEDx conferences are similar to the giant international TED Conference, but much smaller, with a local focus and lasting typically just one day.

In the Lower Mainland there have been a number of TEDx conferences in previous years including TEDxStanleyPark, TEDxEastVan and TEDxVancouver. Events that still take place most years are TEDxWhistler and TEDxSFU.

 

TEDxStanleyPark

 

TEDxSFU

TEDxSFU is a TEDx conference that’s open to the public and sponsored by Simon Fraser University. It usually happens in the late fall. In 2023 it happened on November 11th at The Centre for Performing Arts in Vancouver and the theme was “Unmask the Magic.”

2024 event details are to be confirmed.

 

TEDxVancouver
TEDxVancouver

 

About TED and TEDx Events

TED stands for Technology, Entertainment and Design, and since 1984 it has been an annual conference bringing together the world’s leading thinkers and doers to share ideas in a wide range of disciplines. Topics presented include science and technology, entertainment, motivation, social issues, health, entrepreneurship and the economy.

TEDx events, like TEDxStanleyPark and TEDxWhistler, are smaller and independently organized local TED-affiliated conferences that bring local speakers, thinkers and talent together for a day of mutual learning.

 

Other Information

For more information about the international TED event, click TED Conference.

Most years there are venues around town where you can watch the talks from the TED Conference recorded live. For a list of places to watch free screenings click Free TED Conference Screenings.

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