Three years ago, Walter Isaacson had a great idea that resulted in many other great ideas. His concept was the Aspen Ideas Festival where writers, world leaders, artists, business people, educators, and thinkers would gather in Aspen for intimate and lively conversations across an array of topics. Through programs, tutorials, seminars and discussions, festival attendees and speakers get to indulge in a sort of university for adults.
Name the topic, and it's covered--politics, education, international affairs, energy, science, arts and culture, and more. The Aspen Ideas Festival brings some of the world's most pressing and complex issues to the table, and speakers and attendees can participate in thought-provoking dialogue about each topic.
This year marks the third Aspen Ideas Festival, and the list of speakers reads like a Who's Who. Some of the featured names include President Bill Clinton, Virgin Group founder/chairman Richard Branson, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Time managing editor Richard Stengel, and many more.
And while full passes to the event may have sold out in record time, the Institute makes sure to accommodate those who didn't get their hands on a pass with almost 40 open-to-the-public events. Tickets for the open-to-the-public events can be purchased at the Music Festival box office, but move quickly, those too are going fast.
