TEDxLakeComo returns to Cernobbio on 7 November for its 16th edition. A day dedicated to ideas, innovation and the choices that could help shape the world of tomorrow.
What will the future look like? And how much of it will depend on the decisions we make today? These are questions that affect everyone, from researchers and businesses to the worlds of culture and everyday life.
They are also at the heart of this year’s TEDxLakeComo, taking place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Villa Erba Conference Centre in Cernobbio.
Now a well-established event on Lake Como’s cultural calendar, TEDxLakeComo returns with a theme that encourages us to look ahead without losing sight of the present: “Futuro Anteriore” (Future Perfect).
The idea is not simply to imagine what lies ahead, but to consider the consequences of our choices and the responsibility we all share in shaping change.
Futuro Anteriore: today’s choices shape tomorrow
The future is often described as something distant, a world still waiting to be discovered. Yet many of the changes that will define the coming years are already underway.
Technology is transforming how we work and communicate, scientific research is opening up new possibilities, and cities are rethinking their spaces and their relationship with the people who live in them.
The theme chosen for TEDxLakeComo begins with this awareness. “Futuro Anteriore” invites us to see tomorrow as the result of decisions made today, both individually and collectively.
Businesses, institutions, professionals and communities all have a role to play in finding new directions, building partnerships and turning ideas into practical projects.
This reflection goes far beyond technology or economics. It also concerns how we respond to social challenges, protect the environment, develop people’s skills and pass knowledge and experience on to future generations.
TEDxLakeComo 2026: speakers, ideas and new perspectives
The event follows the familiar TED format: short, engaging talks delivered by people from different backgrounds, each bringing their own expertise and experiences to the stage.
The aim is to make complex subjects accessible, introduce audiences to new perspectives and encourage discussion across fields that might not usually intersect.
The 16th edition of TEDxLakeComo will welcome speakers from science, culture, economics and sport.
Among the announced guests are scientist Maria Chiara Carrozza, economist Elsa Fornero, diving champion Chiara Pellacani, science communicator Emilio Cozzi and oceanographer Sabrina Speich.
The programme will also explore history, mathematics, urban regeneration and social innovation.
One of TEDxLakeComo’s greatest strengths is this variety of subjects. Listening to people with different experiences can challenge familiar assumptions, reveal unexpected connections and leave audiences with new questions as well as answers.
The day will be divided into two talk sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon, with a lunch break in between.
After the talks, participants will have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with speakers and organisers. After all, some of the most interesting conversations begin once the microphones have been switched off.
Villa Erba in Cernobbio: a special setting on Lake Como
This year’s event will once again take place at Villa Erba, one of the best-known venues on Lake Como.
Overlooking the lake and surrounded by extensive parkland, the historic estate will host TEDxLakeComo in the Central Pavilion of its Conference Centre.
The setting adds something special to a day devoted to reflection and the exchange of ideas.
On one side is a modern conference venue designed for large events and meetings. On the other is the landscape of Lake Como, with its gardens, greenery and views across the water.
For visitors travelling from outside Cernobbio, the event could also be an opportunity to discover the surrounding area.
Located just a few kilometres from Como, Cernobbio is known for its lakeside promenade, picturesque streets and waterfront cafés.
Depending on the time available, visitors may be able to enjoy a walk along the lake or explore the town before or after the event.
TEDxLakeComo: an event that brings people togheter
TEDxLakeComo has a distinctive history: it was the first TEDx event organised in Italy and has developed a community of people interested in knowledge, culture and the exchange of ideas.
According to the organisers, the event has reached significant milestones over the years, with 16 editions, more than 15,000 participants and over 200 speakers.
But the value of an event like TEDxLakeComo cannot be measured only by the number of talks or the reputation of its guests.
Equally important is its ability to bring together people with different experiences, encourage new collaborations and create opportunities for interesting ideas to be heard.
At a time when information is increasingly abundant and fast-moving, dedicating an entire day to listening and exploring different subjects can be particularly valuable.
There is no need to agree with every speaker. Sometimes, encountering an unfamiliar perspective is enough to change how we approach a question.
This is ultimately the meaning behind “Futuro Anteriore”: recognising that the future does not simply happen on its own, and that the decisions we make today will help determine what we leave behind for future generations.
TEDxLakeComo 2026: dates, schedule and tickets
The 16th edition of TEDxLakeComo will take place on Saturday, 7 November 2026, at the Villa Erba Conference Centre, Largo Luchino Visconti 1, Cernobbio, in the province of Como.
The programme includes:
• 9:30 am: Participant welcome and registration
• 10:30 am: Event opening
• Morning and afternoon: Two sessions of TEDx talks, with a lunch break
• Late afternoon: Final networking and discussion session
For the latest programme information and participation details, visit the official TEDxLakeComo website.
According to the organisers’ latest announcements, tickets are sold out. Anyone still interested in attending can check the official website for possible availability through the waiting list.
TEDxLakeComo returns to Cernobbio with a question that reaches far beyond the event itself: what kind of future do we want to build, and what choices are we prepared to make today to bring it closer?
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