Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past four decades, you’ve likely heard of TED conferences, known for “ideas worth spreading” via talks spanning a cornucopia of inspiring, thought-provoking topics and diverse perspectives delivered by celebrities, thought leaders, and groundbreaking leaders and legends in their respective fields.  

Originally launched in 1984 by architect Richard Saul Wurman and designer Harry Marks as a for-profit event focused on the intersection of technology, entertainment, and design (hence the acronym TED), annual TED conferences officially kicked off in 1990 and have since evolved and expanded into various brands and initiatives designed to foster a global community centered around the sharing of ideas. 

One of the latest TED platforms to appear on the scene is TEDNext, a new three-day, future-focused conference series designed to explore personal and societal growth. Unlike traditional TED conferences that often focus on broad societal issues and innovations, TEDNext was created to emphasize individual aspirations and personal development. The conference’s programming encourages attendees to actively engage in shaping their own futures as they examine how their passions and aspirations intersect with broader societal progress and innovation. 

Held Oct. 22-24 at Pullman Yards in Atlanta, the inaugural event attracted a robust attendance of 1,000 entrepreneurs, executives, artists, educators, scientists, philanthropists, and thought leaders, as well as young professionals looking to redefine their careers. The event’s dynamic programming featured more than 40 TED Talks and live musical performances, group activities, dinners, parties, and hands-on workshops, as well as immersive experiences, interactive exhibits, and comfortable spaces designed to inspire and foster connections among attendees. 

TEDNext evolved from TEDWomen, a conference series launched in 2010 that was last held in Atlanta in 2023, explained Monique Ruff-Bell, TED chief program and strategy officer. Designed to be an expansion of the TEDWomen mission and concept, TEDNext was launched in its place as a broader, more inclusive event focused on personal and professional evolution. 

“When we started TEDWomen, TED wasn’t platforming enough women doing kick-ass things, [so we decided to] create a conference where we could do more of that,” Ruff-Bell said. “Thirteen years later, over 51% of our speakers are women – on all of our stages, not just TEDWomen. That was the goal, and we feel like we accomplished that goal, but what comes next? Society is evolving, so we needed to continue to evolve, and make sure we bring other communities into TED for an in-person experience.” 

She continued, “When you’re thinking about [the main TED conference in] Vancouver, it’s based on what is the ‘future of’ things like technology, society, humanity, and science. That’s what the builders built, but how do you become the builder? How do you evolve yourself to have that spark of imagination to do things differently, whether that’s professionally or personally? [TEDNext is] all about the future – the future you.” 

CEN’s Lisa Savas attended the inaugural TEDNext on Wed., Oct. 23. Here are seven highlights from her visit: 

A festival meets business conference environment: The vibrant, bustling TEDNext campus offered a plethora of engaging and immersive offerings designed to inspire, foster connection and spur collaboration among attendees. Offerings included a plethora of learning opportunities on a variety of stages and venues, inviting outdoor lounge and social areas for making connections with fellow attendees, an array of food trucks serving delicious local fare, a Braindates Lounge, and a plentiful variety of interactive exhibits and activations.

Themed days and sessions: Each day of the conference featured a distinct theme and subthemes, including Leadership, Creativity, and Sustainability, with speakers giving thought-provoking talks designed to inspire attendees to take a step back, reflect, and think deeply about their purpose, values, and impact. For example, the first TED Theater Session of the day we visited focused on the theme of “Work,” with a series of short talks presented by seven business leaders and innovators focused on the different aspects of surviving and thriving in the modern workplace. Topics included setting boundaries, building confidence, taking career risks, the benefits of distributed work, managing workplace crisis, sustaining wealth, and reclaiming your life from work. 

Next Stage: A new concept for TED this year, this experimental theater-in-the-round format was created to break away from the traditional TED talk session with a more interactive, debate-oriented approach. This more intimate setup allowed for dynamic discussions on various topics, encouraging audience participation and engagement, and fostering a more immersive learning experience. For instance, the morning “Lead” session focused on conversations with GirlTREK Co-founders Vanessa Renae and T. Morgan Dixon, and “Wonder Woman” Lynda Carter, who discussed the intricacies of career transitions, moving through adversity, the lessons they’ve learned along the way, and the importance of honoring the women who came before us.  

“A [traditional] TED talk is no conversation with the speakers, but [with this new format] you can actually have conversation with the speakers, debate, share your opinion, and walk away thinking about what you just heard,” Ruff-Bell said. “It’s been packed to the brim since we opened.” 

Discovery Sessions: Designed to complement the Next and Main stages and enhance the overall learning experience, these immersive, hands-on and expert-led workshops and activities allowed attendees to dive deeper into topics that aligned with their interests. Running from 1.5 to 3 hours, these engaging and interactive sessions covered a diverse range of topics promoting personal growth and community engagement, from practical workshops on AI and Web3, to wellness activities such as yoga and hikes, to creative pursuits such as art and scavenger hunts. We tried a dynamic class called “Vinyl Yoga,” a one-hour yoga session complemented by a DJ spinning jazz records. With the theme of embracing instead of resisting change, the class served as a refreshing way to kick off a full day at the conference. 

Community Hub and activations: Occupying one of Pullman’s warehouse-style buildings, the Community Hub was filled to the brim with an interesting array of features and activations, including a bookstore, a Vinyl Bar where attendees could don headphones and listen to their favorite records, a TED Photo Booth, a Meditation Space, a Restore Lounge, communal workspaces, a snack bar, and a beer and gaming area complete with darts, air hockey, basketball arcade games, and a pool table.  

Connecting rather than networking: Unlike business conferences that can be impersonal and focused more on forming professional connections rather than meaningful ones, TEDNext fostered a communal environment where people could feel comfortable having open and vulnerable conversations, share their passions for positive change, engage in discussions to spark collaboration, and share new ideas. Several attendees we spoke with shared that they had come to TEDNext seeking inspiration for their next chapter of their careers. 

Playground for inspiration: “We like to call ourselves the playground for the curious for a reason, because we’re not a B2B conference,” Ruff-Bell said. “Work happens at TED, but that’s not the reason why people come to TED – they come because they want to be inspired, they want to be motivated, they want to see unique things that they wouldn’t get access to any other way, and they want to find community.”  

Looking ahead 

Ruff-Bell added that while the intention is for TEDNext to return to Atlanta, a destination that was chosen for its diverse community, unique venues, and strong partnerships with leading local companies such as UPS, Delta, and Coca-Cola, future TEDNext dates have yet to be announced. 

Photos: Courtesy of TED

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