Empire Delivers Double Bill of Ray Charles & John Mellencamp for a Global Incentive Meeting
After delivering Aerosmith in their first-ever corporate concert at a 2001 technology industry conference, Empire was challenged by the client to deliver an equally compelling concert event for 2002. Additionally, the concert would have to feature a world-class artist or artists that would draw both a domestic and international audience of over 5,000 people. Empire worked closely with the client's marketing department, and together determined that a demographically diverse, classically-American concert lineup would best achieve the objectives. Empire delivered an amazing double bill concert featuring platinum-selling, Grammy Award-winner John Mellencamp and soul legend Ray Charles who together provided the ideal mix of global and patriotic appeal, recognized hits, and the right tone to embody the post-9/11 American spirit.
Empire handled all contractual negotiations and worked on all production and travel logistics with both artists. The conference attracted more than the expected number of attendees, Mellencamp thrilled the audience with 75 minutes of back-to-back high-energy hits, and Ray Charles' closing rendition of "America the Beautiful" (accompanied by a multimedia montage of inspirational images) brought the audience to their feet.
Guests received their first taste of technological innovation at registration, where they were welcomed by name on a reactive LED screen installation covering the full width of the entry wall. A large lunch café was created with a décor scheme that incorporated custom-built, ceiling-high steel LED frames draped with foliage to create smaller, intimate restaurant-style spaces that displayed both technology and nature.
A series of breakout sessions presented content targeted to attendees’ varied interests, while imagery displayed throughout the venue showcased real-life applications of how products designed to empower developers help to unleash the power of data and reimagine possibilities that will improve our world.
Every element of Microsoft Connect(); from registration, breakfast and keynote, to lunch and evening cocktails, were custom-designed to communicate exacting brand messaging and to deliver a high-touch guest experience to this important audience. The keynote and breakout sessions were livestreamed through an onsite studio built for this purpose and content was watched online by millions around the world.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
