Today it covers almost all topics, from science to business to global issues, in more than 100 languages. There are close to 2000 TED Talks available to watch online, and as of late 2012, TED talks had been watched more than one billion times worldwide.
Past TED speakers at international events have included leading figures such as Hilary Clinton, Jane Goodall, Bill Gates and Bono, as well as many Nobel Prize winners. All around the world, volunteers put together independently-organised events in the spirit of ideas worth spreading.
At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group.
Speakers are given 15 to 18 minutes to present their ideas in the most innovative and engaging ways they can.
This year's event at Bay Park Arena on Saturday, July 25, will be Tauranga's third, and its biggest yet.
"The first year, 100 people attended, the second, 500, and this year, 1000 people are expected to attend, with the 100 early bird tickets selling out in a little under a day in early April," Mr Nesdale said.
He says the talks never fail to inspire, create discussion and make people think. "Ten talkers in eight hours with refreshments and the chance to meet like-minded people and differently minded people, means once you've been to a TEDx Talks event, you'll always want to go to another.
"It's a powerful medium. It's a place for people to tell their stories. And it's a wonderful way for many of the innovative people who live here in the Bay to come together to share ideas and meet one another."
More than 100 people applied to speak at this year's event with the theme of Think, Thrive, Transform. One of the highlights is sure to be a talk by Sir Ray Avery.
The New Zealander invented the Acuset IV Flow Controller, a device that facilitates the safe administration of potent IV drugs; the life-pod incubator, a high-tech low-cost incubator that uses patentable technology to reduce the mortality rates of premature babies; and the Proteinforte, an amino acid based functional food used for the treatment and prevention of protein-energy malnutrition.
The tentative title of his talk this yearis "Disruption, Innovation, Spin-offs - three reasons New Zealanders are better at turning dreams into realities".
Another speaker is Bronwen Connor, associate professor of neuroscience at the University of Auckland. Connor has developed a novel technology which allows human skin cells to be turned into brain stem cells. She will talk about what this technology means for the future treatment of currently incurable brain diseases and injuries.
Go to tedxtauranga.com to purchase tickets, to watch last year's speakers or see more information about this year's event.
