Dear TEDizens,

In partnership with the world famous Aspen Institute, we are proud to unveil....

TED@Aspen, February 27-March 1, 2008.

It's a brand new way to experience the TED conference. 300 TEDsters will gather in beautiful Aspen and enjoy the full TED2008 program, broadcast live via satellite from Monterey.

And it's not just a one-way connection. Several speakers on the line-up -- including renowned historian Walter Isaacson -- will present from Aspen. And in every other aspect -- spectacular evening events, terrific conversations with amazing people, beautiful gift-bag, the famous TED bookclub, post-conference DVDs, online connection to all other conference participants -- the experience will be 100% TED.

It won't, however be 100% of the cost. The TED@Aspen membership will be $3,000, just half the minimum membership cost to go to Monterey.

We're launching this exciting new program in response to growing demand. TED2008 sold out more than a year in advance and we now have more than 3,000 people on the waitlist. We've reached the maximum number of people we can bring to Monterey, but remote simulcasts offer another way to grow the TED community.

The famous TED Simulcast Lounges at Monterey have already proven that you can fully enjoy TED on a screen in a carefully-designed environment. Indeed, two-thirds of those who go to Monterey watch TED that way. Our Aspen simulcast will use all that we've learned over the years to create an inspired viewing experience. Working with our long-term design partner Steelcase, we'll build out the Aspen Institute's beautiful, new Doerr-Hosier Conference Center, giving you the choice of sitting in a theatre-style area with a large screen, or in smaller, cozy viewing pods with gorgeous plasma monitors and just a dozen other attendees. Coffee and snacks will be available all day, and there will be areas for blogging.

In true TED fashion, there will also be a full social program, including a stunning mountain-top dinner at the Sundeck Restaurant (elev: 11,000 feet), and an evening in downtown Aspen (consistently rated the #1 resort in North America for dining), with dinners at the city's best restaurants followed by an after party at the members-only Caribou Club. We're also organizing a ski excursion to follow the conference (Some TEDsters from Monterey will come over to join those in Aspen).

We suspect that many of you will prefer the intimate size of TED2008 in Aspen. TED in Monterey is awesome, but can be overwhelming for some. With 300 people, it's easier to forge connections. A hosting group of long-standing TEDsters -- including our own Kelly Stoetzel -- is lined up to attend TED2008 in Aspen. It's our intention to make this a regular part of TED going forward.

Photos and more details are available on our website here. The TED2008 theme "The Big Questions" is described here.

If this appeals and you would like to register, you may do so here:

http://www.ted.com/index.php/pages/view/id/68

Please let us know of any trouble you may have with the system; you may email us at contact@ted.com, using "Aspen Registration" as your subject line.

Given the large number of people on our waitlist, it is possible that this event will sell out very quickly. Spaces will be awarded on a first come first seved basis.

This promises to be a wonderful new chapter for TED, and we hope you can be part of it.

My best,

Chris Anderson
TED Curator