Virtual events at TED

TED’s custom event platform, TED Live+, focuses on connections, ideas and conversations. Learn how to get set up for an upcoming conference and how to make the most out of your experience.

Connections Ideas and Conversations


Getting started

Read the emails

You'll start getting emails a few weeks before the conference. Each will include important deadlines, how to sign up for participatory gatherings and activities and our best tips to get the most out of the conference. You’ll be the first to hear the speaker lineup, too.

If you don’t receive the emails, check your spam for emails from conferences@ted.com and add us to your address book. If that doesn’t work, email us to help get you sorted.

Log in to the event

TED Live+ is our custom event platform. It's where you can watch the talks, chat with other attendees, sign up for interactive offerings, connect with speakers, join breakout conversations and more.

Visit virtual.ted.com from your computer, tablet or mobile device to get started.

Gigi logo

What if I have questions?

"Gigi" is your personal concierge and can help you with anything! During the conference, you can talk to Gigi through the "Help" section of TED Live+ or in the messages section of the TEDConnect app. Or, email us anytime at conferences@ted.com.

Figure 1: Use the same email you used for registration to log into the virtual event platform.
Figure 1: Use the same email you used for registration to log into the virtual event platform.
Two-screen experience

If you’d like to use two devices (one for watching, and one for participating in conversations and interactions) go to virtual.ted.com for more information about getting set up.


Connections

Connections

Our main advice at TED: lean into the community! It's a brilliant and warm community that comes together around shared curiosity and everyone is open to making new connections. Here are some tips to help spark connections:

Build your profile

Help other attendees get to know you by updating your profile with a clear headshot and some basic information. Then, add your bio to your TED.com account.

Find out more about other attendees

You can scroll through all registered attendees' profiles or search by name, company, role and interest. From there, you can send a private message, add them to your network or even have 1:1 video calls.

Download TEDConnect

Our mobile conference companion app, TEDConnect, is useful before, during and after the conference. Features include: your personalized schedule, the full list of speakers, options to sign up for gatherings, an attendee list with private, secure networking tools and, during the conference, access to the 24/7 TED Concierge Gigi.

Download TEDConnect, then log in with the email you used to register.

Figure 2: Scroll through all registered attendees' profiles or search by name, company, role and interest. Filter by all, people within your network or your network requests.
Figure 2: Scroll through all registered attendees' profiles or search by name, company, role and interest. Filter by all, people within your network or your network requests.

Send a direct message

There are different ways of direct messaging other attendees. You can message attendees before, during and after the conference through the "Messages" section of TED Live+.

You can also use the TEDConnect mobile app to peruse profiles and message attendees. Both platforms will stay open after the conference so you can keep in touch with your network.

Figure 3: Send a direct message to other attendees or start a group message.
Figure 3: Send a direct message to other attendees or start a group message.

Ideas

Ideas

TED Talks introduce important ideas from many disciplines. The goal is to expand the imagination and set the ball in motion for meaningful learning and change. Each session has a theme and is multidisciplinary — showcasing speakers from vastly different fields and exploring the ways they all connect.

Watching the talks

All talks are open to all attendees, and you don’t need to sign up to watch them. Log in to TED Live+ to view the livestream once the event begins.

The Hub

The Hub is your home base, and where you can find out more information about the conference. Head there to take your TED photo, find out how to sign up for optional activities, and more.

See your schedule

View your schedule to find out what’s happening during the event. You can change your timezone to your local time. Activities you signed up for will also appear here. A few minutes before your activity start time, the “Join now” button will turn from grey to red. Clicking the button will take you to a new window where your activity will take place.

We’ll be using Zoom video conferencing for most activities. Save time during the event and download the Zoom app now if you haven't already.

Figure 4: See your schedule anytime for details on what's happening. The button to join your breakout session will appear a few minutes before the session.
Figure 4: See your schedule anytime for details on what's happening. The button to join your breakout session will appear a few minutes before the session.

Rewatch your favorite talks

Access the full on-demand archive of all the talks to rewatch your favorites or catch any you missed. Log in with the same email you used to register.


Conversations

Conversations

Contribute your ideas and real-time reactions while conversing with other attendees.

Engage in the main discussion channel

The community chat connects all the event attendees. You can share a link to an article, your thoughts on a talk, an idea, or anything that might be relevant. The connections you'll make with people from all over the world might just end up being the highlight of the conference for you.

Figure 5: Join the discussion in the Community channel to share your thoughts in real time.
Figure 5: Join the discussion in the Community channel to share your thoughts in real time.

Join group gatherings

In addition to the main speaker sessions, you can choose to join a range of interactive gatherings — small, intimate workshops and activities led by past speakers, fellow attendees and trusted partners — to dive deep into something you care about through discussion or hands-on exercises. You'll be notified in an email when it's time to sign up. Anything you do sign up for will appear in your schedule.

We’ll be using Zoom video conferencing for most activities. Save time during the event and download the Zoom app now if you haven't already. Try logging on a few minutes before your activity to ensure you’re all set.

Keep in touch

Both TED Live+ and TEDConnect will be available after the conference so you can keep in touch with your network.


Minimum system requirements

  • Windows: Windows 7 or higher
  • MacOS: 10.6 or higher with
  • Supported browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge
    • Note: Does not support Internet Explorer browser
  • Mobile browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari (iOS), Android native browser
    • Note: Does not support UC browser
  • 2nd screen (optional): AppleTV 4 or above, with TED app
  • Internet connectivity: At least 800 kbps (kilobits per second) (or 0.8 mbps)
    • Use fast.com to test your network connection speed to determine which quality you are capable of receiving. Try it a few times and average the speed.

Questions?

If you have any questions about your virtual experience, access to TED Live+, or anything else, send us a note at conferences@ted.com.