For years, the popular TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) conference has been held in Long Beach, California. But, in 2014, the 30th-anniversary gathering of the "world's most fascinating thinkers and doers" will be held in Vancouver.

TED2014 will be hosted at the Vancouver Convention Centre from March 17 to 21, 2014. A related TEDActive 2014 conference will take place at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.

In a statement, Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson called the move "great news for our tourism industry".

"TED talks are known around the world for being a source of inspiration, innovation and an opportunity to rethink some of our most pressing challenges. Millions of people watch the talks in person and online. Having the TED organizers choose Vancouver as their new home is a big vote of confidence in the creative entrepreneurs, social innovators and community leaders who make Vancouver a leading-edge city," Robertson said.

For Vancouver, TED is decreasing the size of its audience, from 1,400 to 1,200 paid attendees. Registration opens on Thursday (February 7).

A post on the TED blog states: "Will this be a next chapter for TED? Quite possibly. From 1984 to 2008, TED was based in Monterey, Calif., before moving to Long Beach with TEDActive nearby in Palm Springs. While we have absolutely loved the past five years there, but as TED has crossed major milestones — our billionth video view last fall and our 6,000th TEDx event last month — we feel ready for a new adventure. Our staff is pumped for TED2013, our grand finale year in Long Beach, and are thrilled to be able to go exploring in 2014."