Empire Again Presents Platinum-Selling Artist Mary J. Blige, This Time for a Private Concert
Hosting an event in New York City for 1,500 of your top clients is no easy task. But in September 2011, a prominent NYC-based investment bank did just that, at the beautiful and iconic Metropolitan Museum of Art. Empire Entertainment was engaged to work in collaboration with event designer Thomas Noel of EDI to manage the highlight of the evening - a spectacular performance by nine-time Grammy Award winner, Mary J. Blige.Guests enjoyed cocktails in the Great Hall of the Met, before heading off to various areas of the Museum, such as the majestic Temple of Dendur for dinner. While most attendees toured the two million artworks housedin the Museum’s permanent collection, Empire escorted Mary J. Blige to a beautiful balcony above the Great Hall, where she took time to greet and take photos with a select few of the client’s VIP’s.As Blige prepared for her show, attendees in the Great Hall listened to remarks by General Wesley Clark and then bid in a live auction which benefitted The McCarton Foundation, a charity dedicated to increasing educational opportunities for children with autism and developmental disabilities.Empire then escorted Mary J. Blige to the stage for the evening’s grand finalé, and the multi-platinum selling Bronx native did not disappoint. She performed a high-energy set filled with hits including “Family Affair”, “RealLove”, and a gorgeous cover version of U2’s “One.” After the show attendees roared cheers for her incredible performance as Empire ushered the soul-singer straight from the stage to her waiting car.Empire is a preeminent provider of headline entertainment for events worldwide, and is proud to be called upon by end clients and production companies alike for our expertise in producing live performances by the world’s biggest stars.
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
