Registration policies

Several registration policies apply to all TED conferences and levels of membership. These general policies are listed in this section while policies specific to certain conferences and membership levels can be found in the relevant section.

Conditions for acceptance

Before an application for a membership can be accepted, it must meet the following criteria.

• Availability: There must be availability in the membership level you're applying for.
• Community fit: TED aims to build an inclusive conference community representing a broad range of expertise, organizations, projects, perspectives and geographies. You must be likely, in our judgment, to be a good addition to the TED community -- someone who can contribute to the conversations and connections at the conference, and the projects that may come out of it.

Corporations / organizations / families

For a corporation, organization or family, there is a limit of four memberships -- except in the case of major corporate partners and sponsors.

Membership term

Membership starts from your registration date until the last day of the conference. Prior to the commencement of their membership, a member is not entitled to any benefits.

Refunds

Conference membership fees take the form of a tax-deductible charitable contribution connected to TED’s nonprofit status, and are unable to be refunded. Your philanthropic donation fuels TED’s many programs and initiatives to share the power of ideas with the world.

All membership payments are binding and non-refundable. If for any reason you cannot attend the conference, please see conference-specific policies to understand what options are available to you. All decisions regarding membership changes are final.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your options, please reach out to the team at conferences@ted.com.

TED's right to terminate memberships

We reserve the right to terminate any membership at any stage without explanation by notifying the individual concerned by email, and delivering a refund. Single year memberships will receive 100% of fee paid; multi-year memberships will receive a prorated portion of the fee paid (note that refunds are only available in cases where TED chooses to terminate conference membership).

Tax deductibility

Payments for TED memberships take the form of a charitable contribution to the TED Foundation, a private 501(c)3 nonprofit foundation.

We will email you a receipt acknowledging the contribution after the fiscal year-end (December 31) for the year in which payment was received. A portion of your membership is not tax-deductible (value of services received, also known as the fair market value). The amount the member pays in excess of the value of services received may be tax-deductible for US taxpayers as a philanthropic contribution, although you should consult your own advisers as individual situations may differ.

Complete information on specific conferences' fair market value -- including figures for potential tax-deductibility -- are available under the levels of conference membership.

Please consult your tax advisor before paying from a Private Foundation – goods and services are a portion of your membership fee.

TED cannot accept payments from Donor Advised Funds for conference memberships.

TED Conferences code of conduct

Those attending TED events understand that they do so in a spirit of curiosity, open-mindedness, respect and tolerance. TED does not tolerate harassment in any form. Participants agree to respect confidentiality, and understand that the atmosphere at TED is appropriate for high-level relationship building, not salesmanship. TED reserves the right to sanction or expel conference participants who violate these rules. For more information, see the full code of conduct.

Any incidents regarding attendee behavior should be reported by filling out TED's confidential code of conduct report. Please include all details so that we can respond accordingly.

Babies and children (under 18 years)

For the optimum experience of all, everyone at the event needs to be a registered conference attendee. Unless registered for the event, children under 18 years are not allowed in conference venues for the duration of the event. All TED events support parents and nursing mothers by providing lounges for pumping and nursing.

TED Conference policies
TEDWomen conference policies
TEDMonterey conference policies
TEDSummit conference policies
Countdown Summit policies

TED Live policies
Reduced-price policies
TEDFest registration policies
TED Fellow membership policies
Virtual event policies

A fee is charged for attendance to the TED Conference (for information about pricing and tax deductibility, see levels of conference membership). TED reserves the right to reject applications to attend the TED Conference. In addition to the general policies listed above, once TED Conference attendance has been agreed and payment processed, the following terms apply:

Transfers for Standard memberships

Memberships are approved for specific individuals and may not be transferred unless:

• We receive full details of the proposed Transfer in writing (email us at conferences@ted.com). See below for associated administrative fees and deadline for Standard membership transfers.
• The proposed Transferee completes an online membership application request that is approved by us. In general, they must be someone as equally able to contribute to the community as the Transferor.

Transfer fees for Standard memberships

• If we receive the transfer request more than 6 weeks prior to the conference, there is an associated administrative fee of $500.
• If we receive the transfer request between 3-6 weeks prior to the conference, there is an associated administrative fee of $1,000.
• We will not accept transfer requests after this 3 week deadline.

In those cases where a transfer is granted, the following terms also apply:

• The Transferee will receive a Standard conference membership
• The link to the conference video archive will be sent to the Transferee

TED reserves the right to refuse transfer requests and instead offer alternative arrangements for your membership.

Transfers for Vanguard memberships

Vanguard memberships are approved for specific individuals and may not be transferred.

Transfers for Donors and Patrons

If you are a Donor or a Patron and you are unable to attend a conference, you may send another individual of your choice, provided:

• We receive the Transferee's membership application at least 3 weeks prior to the start of the conference.
• You confirm to us your belief that the Transferee will be a good fit for the TED Community.
• We will not accept transfer requests after this 3 week deadline.

Notes:

• We will waive the administrative fee
• The Transferee will receive a Donor conference membership
• The link to the conference video archive will be sent to the Transferee.

Health and safety

We recommend that everyone attending the conference be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (primary series + 2 weeks). Masks will not be required but we will have N95 masks available if you'd like one. We may adjust these health guidelines if there are any changes to local legislation.

Carryovers for Standard and Vanguard memberships

If you discover you cannot make it to the conference, you may be entitled to attend the following year's conference, provided:

• We receive the carryover request in writing (email us at conferences@ted.com).
• See next for associated administrative fees and deadline for Standard and Vanguard membership carryovers.

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 14 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medical documentation and/or test results in order to qualify for a late carryover. The administrative fees associated with carryovers will be waived.

Carryover fees for Standard and Vanguard memberships

• If we receive the carryover request more than 6 weeks prior to the conference, there is an associated administrative fee of $500.
• If we receive the carryover request between 3-6 weeks prior to the conference, there is an associated administrative fee of $1,000. We will not accept carryover requests after this 3 week deadline.

You are responsible for any incremental cost in the price of a conference membership.

Notes:

• When registering for the next year's conference, we require payment in accordance with the associated administrative fees listed above. Once registration opens for the following year, your status reverts to your original conference membership, and you will be responsible for payment of any incremental cost in the price of a conference membership for that year.
• If you do not pay the increment within 30 days of registration opening, your conference pass will be cancelled
• We will not allow memberships to be carried over for more than one consecutive year
• Carryovers are only allowed to the same conference the next year. You are not formally transferred or carried over until you have received written confirmation from us.

TED reserves the right to refuse even those carryover requests that meet the above terms, and instead to refund the registration.

Carryovers for Donors

If you are unable to attend the conference, you may carry forward your membership one year by giving at least 3 weeks written notice prior to the start of the conference. You are responsible to pay any increase in pricing for Donor memberships for the following year. We will not allow memberships to be carried over for more than one consecutive year. We will not accept carryover requests after this 3 week deadline.

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 14 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medical documentation and/or test results in order to qualify for a late carryover.

Carryovers for Patrons

If you are unable to attend the conference, you may carry forward your membership one year by giving written notice prior to the start of the conference.

A fee is charged for attendance to TEDWomen; (for information about pricing and tax deductibility, see levels of conference membership). TED reserves the right to reject applications to attend TEDWomen. In addition to the general policies listed above, once TEDWomen attendance has been agreed and payment processed, the following terms apply:

Transfers

If you can’t make it to the conference, you may submit a request to transfer your membership to someone who is equally able to contribute to the community, provided we receive the transfer request in writing at conferences@ted.com a minimum of 3 weeks before the conference.

Transferees will need to complete an online transfer application which is subject to TED’s approval. If approved, the Transferee will need to pay relevant fees to receive your full conference membership and associated benefits including the TED Live conference video archive.

Transfer fees for Standard memberships

• 6+ weeks before TEDWomen: $250 admin fee
• 3 to 6 weeks before TEDWomen: $500 admin fee
• Within 3 weeks of TEDWomen: Transfers are not available

Transfer fees are waived for Donor memberships.

Carryovers

For TEDWomen, we will not accept carryover requests and instead allow transfers.

Refunds

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 14 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medically verified test results in order to qualify for a full refund of your membership fee. Otherwise, TED memberships are non-refundable.

Group rate

Those attending in a group of five are eligible for $150 off their Standard or early supporter membership. All five members must be approved by TED and are subject to our standard conference registration policies. If all members of your group are not approved by TED, the discount will not be applied.

Note:
* Early supporter timeline applies, anyone submitting after the early supporter pricing expires will receive the $150 discount off the standard membership rate.

Health and safety

You'll need to follow TED's health and safety rules which could include providing vaccination status and being tested for COVID-19. We'll set these guidelines in accordance with expert recommendations and legislation closer to the event.

Babies and children (under 18 years)

For the optimum experience of all, everyone at the event needs to be a registered conference attendee. Unless registered for the event, children under 18 years are not allowed in conference venues for the duration of the event. All TED events support parents and nursing mothers by providing lounges for pumping and nursing.

A fee is charged for attendance to TEDMonterey; (for information about pricing and tax deductibility, see levels of conference membership). TED reserves the right to reject applications to attend TEDMonterey. In addition to the general policies listed above, once TEDMonterey attendance has been agreed and payment processed, the following terms apply:

Transfers

If you can’t make it to the conference, you may submit a request to transfer your membership to someone who is equally able to contribute to the community, provided we receive the transfer request in writing at conferences@ted.com a minimum of 3 weeks before the conference.

Transferees will need to complete an online transfer application which is subject to TED’s approval. If approved, the Transferee will need to pay relevant fees to receive your full conference membership and associated benefits including the TED Live conference video archive.

Transfer fees for Standard memberships

• 6+ weeks before TEDMonterey: $250 admin fee
• 3 to 6 weeks before TEDMonterey: $500 admin fee
• Within 3 weeks of TEDMonterey: Transfers are not available

Transfer fees are waived for Donor and Patron memberships.

Carryovers

For TEDMonterey, we will not accept carryover requests and instead allow transfers.

Refunds

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 30 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medical documentation and/or test results in order to qualify for a full refund of your membership fee. Should TED cancel the event, all attendees will be provided a full refund of their membership fee.

Otherwise, TED memberships are non-refundable.

Health and safety

We require that all attendees be fully vaccinated (full series plus two weeks). You'll also need to follow TED's health and safety rules which include:

• Completing a health screening questionnaire shortly before the event.
• Clearing a rapid COVID test before checking in on the first day (we'll have this free service available throughout the event).
• Cooperating in the contact tracing process.

We may adjust these guidelines in accordance with expert recommendations and legislation.

The TED Countdown Summit is by invitation. A fee is charged for attendance to Countdown Summit; (for information about pricing and tax deductibility, see levels of conference membership). Once attendance has been agreed and payment processed, the following terms apply:

Health and safety

You'll need to follow TED's health and safety rules which could include providing vaccination status and being tested for COVID-19. We'll set these guidelines in accordance with expert recommendations and legislation closer to the event.

Refunds

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 14 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medically verified test results in order to qualify for a full refund of your membership fee.

Otherwise, TED memberships are non-refundable.

Transfers/ carryovers

For the TED Countdown Summit, we will not accept transfer or carryover requests and instead will offer refunds that meet the above criteria.

Transfers

We will allow a transfer of a TED Live purchase to another individual if we receive full details in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the conference (email us at Live@ted.com).

Carryovers

TED Live purchases are non-refundable and cannot be carried over to a different conference or year other than those specified under your purchase.

Refunds

If you test positive for COVID-19 anytime within 20 days prior to the event, we ask that you provide medical documentation and/or test results in order to qualify for a full refund of your membership fee. Should TED cancel the event, all attendees will be provided a full refund of their membership fee.

Otherwise, TEDFest memberships are non-refundable.

Carryovers and transfers

No carryovers or transfers are allowed.

Health and safety

You'll need to follow TED's health and safety rules which include the following:

• All participants need to be fully vaccinated (full course + 2 weeks).
• Complete a health screening questionnaire prior to the start of the event.

We may also introduce other health protocols closer to the event, such as the need to clear a rapid COVID test or to wear masks while indoors when physical distancing isn’t possible or other rules based on medical guidance and local legislation.

If you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms and concerned about attending, please contact conferences@ted.com.

Babies and children (under 18 years)

For the optimum experience of all, everyone at the event needs to be a registered conference attendee. Unless registered for the event, children under 18 years are not allowed in conference venues for the duration of the event. All TED events support parents and nursing mothers by providing lounges for pumping and nursing.

Transfers

We will allow a transfer of a paid pass for a virtual event to another individual if we receive full details in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the start of the conference (email us at conferences@ted.com).

Carryovers

Paid passes for virtual events are non-refundable and cannot be carried over to a different conference or year other than those specified under your purchase.