This past April, a spectacular group - marine scientists, deep sea explorers, technology innovators, policy makers, business leaders, environmentalists, activists and artists – gathered for a Galapagos sea-voyage aboard the National Geographic Endeavour. Over four days, attendees experienced seven fully programmed TED sessions. In addition, they explored the surrounding landscape and sea, designed to stimulate the intellect and stir the soul, discovering up close the wonders that make the Land of Darwin one of the world’s most unparalleled adventure travel destinations.

The goal of the voyage was not only to create content to help educate the world about the beauty of and problems facing the ocean but to have attendees make commitments to change. Eight “idea champions” stepped forward with plans for action to help protect the oceans and other attendees rallied around these leaders with offers of support including $17 million raised to fund these projects.

Attendees included Sylvia Earle, Leonardo DiCaprio, Edward Norton, Glenn Close, Elizabeth Banks, Steve Case, Ted Waitt, Bill Joy, Jackson Browne, Damien Rice, Chevy Chase, Jean-Michel Cousteau and 30 of the world’s leading marine scientists.

Here are the opening titles for this first-of-its-kind oceanic conference. Music by Michael Montes.

Here is the press release.