Were you not one of the 1,200 people who could pay $7,500 (US) for tickets to TED2014 in Vancouver? No worries. Vancouverites can watch this week’s TED conference, featuring speakers such as Bill and Melinda Gates, Chris Hadfield and Sting, for free. You just can’t be in the audience at the Vancouver Convention Centre. Among the downtown locations streaming TED live are BC Place’s Terry Fox Plaza (please note there is limited seating and patrons should bring an umbrella) and the Vancouver Public Library. Other locations in the Lower Mainland include BCIT, Kwantlen University, SFU, Langara College, Douglas College, Corpus Christi College, Coquitlam Library, New Westminster Public Library, Richmond Public Library, North Vancouver District Public Library, Surrey Libraries, and Grouse Mountain. UBC will be streaming at four different locations, including the Sauder School of Business. The TED team asks that patrons check in with a location before attending. TED Talks starts March 17 at 10:30am. And be sure to check out artist Janet Echelman’s 745-foot long sculpture, currently being hung between the rooftops of the Fairmont Waterfront Hotel and the convention centre. The ambitious creation is meant to coincide with this, the 30th anniversary of TED, and will be unveiled to the public at 7pm on March 15.
