WORLD PREMIERE

Canada Showcased in 14 New TED Talks in New York City

In February 2023, TED is collaborating with Destination Canada to produce TED@DestinationCanada—a landmark TED event featuring 14 talks from some of the biggest changemakers in Canada. After being filmed live at the TED Theater in New York City on February 23, the talks will be published across TED channels and beyond starting in March. ] 

The nonprofit TED has earned a global following for spreading ideas in the form of short, powerful talks. It has engaged in many partnerships over its 39-year history, but it has never partnered with a destination—until now.

Through TED@DestinationCanada, a diverse roster of leaders and thinkers will inspire a new era of travel—one guided by an openness to growth, change and a better future for all. It is Canada's diversity and openness to new visitors and residents that touches travellers' hearts deeply. 

Who is TED, anyway? TED began in the mid-1980s as a conference about the convergence of technology, entertainment, and design (hence TED). Today's talks go far beyond those three fields. A diverse roster of global experts present “Ideas Worth Spreading.” Many talks are filmed at the flagship TED Conference—which has been held in Vancouver, British Columbia, since 2014—as well as at independent TEDx venues and TEDInstitute partner events all over the world. Since 2006, TED Talks have been published online—free global education and inspiration. Each talk is approximately 10 minutes, so even the busiest people have time to watch.

Innovative partnership: By partnering with TED—renowned for convening the biggest thinkers on the planet—Destination Canada elevates the country's innovative thinkers and leaders and showcases Canada as an ideal place to travel, study, work, invest and live. Each talk tells a story about the people, places, and diverse ways of thinking in Canada, with the goal of inspiring positive change. Brought to a global stage, these narratives will impact how people around the world view Canada and drive the next wave of changemakers to create a better future.

Wide open: The theme for TED@DestinationCanada is OPEN—a concept inspired by Canada's wide-open spaces, welcoming communities and endless opportunities to travel, study, live and invest. When we open our hearts and minds, we see unexpected connections, welcome fresh experiences and perspectives, and take steps toward crucial growth and change. Through their ideas, TED@DestinationCanada speakers endeavour to open the hearts and minds of audiences around the world. The 14 speakers represent the many regions of the country, spanning generations, a wealth of backgrounds and diverse viewpoints. Their talks explore whether artificial intelligence can outsmart us, the effects of climate change on polar bears, and wisdom from Indigenous cultures, among other ideas that promise to shift boundaries and upend perspectives.

Tourism as a force for good: In Canada, tourism is a leading economic driver and provider of jobs. It can be a force for positive change and a powerful conduit to a brighter and better future. “When you want the world to rethink what they know about Canada, you need to create conversations about your destination that help us stand apart,” says Marsha Walden, CEO of Destination Canada. “So we are creating a global conversation about openness through our partnership with TED. Not only will this platform help differentiate us but also reposition Canada as a destination for innovative thinking, change making, and ultimately, travel being a force for good.” 

What to know: TED@DestinationCanada will be filmed on February 23 at the TED Theatre in New York City, in front of a live audience of 100 partners, influencers and changemakers. Once recorded, the talks will be published on TED.com and other channels, starting the week of March 6, with others following regularly. Subtitles will be available in French, German, and Japanese, as well as other languages.

For more information please contact Ms. Nim Singh, Destination Canada, Media and PR Manager via singh.nim@destinationcanada.com (Not for publication).