Before you apply for a TEDx license, be prepared to follow all of the basic TEDx event guidelines, listed below.
Basic guidelines for all TEDx events:
- Spirit/purpose: Your TEDx event must maintain the spirit of TED itself: cross-disciplinary, focused on the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world.
- Format: A suite of short, carefully prepared talks, demonstrations and performances on a wide range of subjects to foster learning, inspiration and wonder -- and to provoke conversations that matter. The typical presentation should be an 18-minute talk by a single presenter. No panels. No break-out sessions. Usually: No podium. A short, official TEDx video introduction must be played at the beginning of each TEDx event.
- Pre-recorded and live talks: A minimum of two TEDTalks videos (available for download on TED.com) must be shown at TEDx events less than half a day in length. Longer events must include a minimum of 25% TEDTalks. Talks from live speakers may not exceed 18 minutes, and must be recorded on video.
- Recording and streaming video: You must capture on video all original content presented at your TEDx event, and make this accessible to TED and to others. You may provide a free live video stream of your TEDx event, but you must inform TED if you are planning to produce a live video stream. (Note: Please email us the URL of your webcast in advance.) You may not offer a replay of your webcast.
- Length/frequency: Your event may not exceed one day in length. A TEDx license allows you to hold one event; if you want to host a recurring event, you must apply for a second license after you've hosted one TEDx event.
- Cost/tickets: You may not use your TEDx event to make money. Admission must be free for most events. TED will allow certain larger TEDx events to charge a small admission fee -- always under $50 -- to help cover the event's production costs.
- Sponsorships: You may attach sponsors to your event, but you must submit a list of potential sponsors to TED for approval before contacting any.
- Promotions: In all communications to potential attendees, speakers and sponsors, you must use the official TEDx branding, and make it clear that your event is independently organized.
- Attendance: You may not have more than 100 attendees at your event, unless you have attended a TED conference in person.
