Launch of the Inaugural World Science Festival
Co-Founded by Brian Greene and Tracy Day, the World Science Festival's mission is "to cultivate and sustain a general public informed by the content of science, inspired by its wonder, convinced of its value, and prepared to engage with its implications for the future." In May 2008 the World Science Festival launched with a prolific series of events and Empire Entertainment was engaged to manage production for over thirty major programs in over seven venues across New York City in a span of just four days. The diverse programming appealed to all demographics and included moderated panel discussions with some of the most brilliant scientific minds today, original theatrical productions. Major stars including Alan Alda, Anthony Lapaglia and Mia Barron, an interactive sports demonstration with NBA players and scientists, and a family street festival held in Washington Square Park.
Some of the many participants in this year's World Science festival programs included Leon Lederman, Michio Kaku, Robert Krulwich, John Hockenbery, Bill T. Jones, Sam Shepard, Lucy Hawking, Michael York, Charlie Rose, Oliver Sachs, the Disney Imagineering Team, Richard Leakey, Brian Greene and many others. More than 120,000 people attended the Festival. Empire's support on the project included management of numerous venue's staging and set requirements, sound, lighting, video playback, stage management and technical direction as ell as many other production elements required for such extensive and, elaborate productions. Empire also tracked all production expenses paid directly by the not-for-profit World Science Festival to ensure the foundation stayed on budget and could adhere to rigorous financial reporting standards. The 2008 World Science Festival is an ideal example of Empire's capability to act as a behind the scenes partner on all types and sizes of programs, as well as our unique ability to mold our services to the client's special needs and to act as a team player to help execute flawless events. Empire Entertainment was proud to serve as the production partner for the first annual World Science Festival.
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
