TED is welcomed to Vancouver by Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield

A few weeks ago, we all learned that TED (big TED) is coming to Vancouver. And while many of us are still trying to wrap our head around the exciting opportunities it brings to Vancouver for technology, entertainment and design there are many, many people paving the way for moving day. Yesterday, we attended a TED press event to learn more about how this came to be. And the timing couldn’t be any better as one year from today, a small army of people will be moving into the Vancouver Convention Centre for TED2014.

 

The speakers included Chris Anderson the curator of TED, BC Minister of State for Small Business Naomi Yamamoto, Tourism Vancouver’s Rick Antonson, Mayor Gregor Robertson,  Canadian Tourism Commission’s Greg Klassen and…special guest from space Canadian Astronaut Chris Hadfield.

View this video message where Chris Hadfield welcomes TED to Vancouver.

So how did this come to be? Tourism Vancouver’s Rick Antonson (who is also a speaker at local TEDxStanleyPark) told guests the story of how he received a telephone call one Friday afternoon from locally based TED organizers (and twin sisters) Janet and Katherine McCartney, asking for a meeting on the following Monday to discuss the possibility of the big move. After getting over the shock, he had asked if he could invite a few other key individuals to the meeting, to which she replied “I only want them in the room if they can move mountains” – and how fitting given Vancouver’s natural stage.

After two and a half months of very hush, hush hard negotiating (hotels were making hotel deals without even knowing what it was for) it was official: TED was coming to Vancouver and Whistler for 2014 and 2015 and possibly longer.

The event was live tweeted so here we’re sharing a few snippets from the discussion that speaks to the excitement surrounding the event.

Vancouver had the x-factor according to @TEDchris. Who agrees?! #ted2014 #handup

Thousands of ppl are volunteering b/c they want to bring a community together around technology, entertainmnt and design @TEDchris #ted2014

Why Vancouver? Because this is SUCH an inspiring environment. It is truly amazing. – @TEDchris #ted2014

TED2013 was the best TED yet but I think we can do better as a host city – @MayorGregor #ted2014#YES

Ppl who say TED is about elitism doesn’t understand the DNA of TED. We are just curious – @TEDchris #ted2014

The Olympics gave #Vancouver the confidence to do anything…#ted2014

 

Stay tuned as we cover ongoing stories on TED and how locals can take part in this event.

 

Photos c/o Free Rishad