Fitch Ratings Inaugural Why? Forum
Fitch ratings is one of the world's largest ratings agencies, responsible for providing data to financial firms around the world to help them assess risk and opportunity. On the occasion of the company’s 100th anniversary, Fitch Ratings and its branding agency, Addison, launched a new online and live event series entitled the Why? Forum to underscore Fitch’s commitment to qualitative and quantitative research, and to promote greater transparency by showing how Fitch asks the ‘why’ questions that provide deeper insight into the events that move markets.
For the inaugural Why? Forum event, Fitch and Addison tapped Empire to serve as event producer to bring the vision to life. The event took place at the New York Public Library in the historic Edna Barnes Salomon room with an audience of 150 senior financial executives and analysts from the world of institutional investing. The Why? Forum featured a panel discussion with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of Defense William Cohen, and former National Security Adviser Robert Gates. The panel was moderated by Esquire Editor Mark Warren, and Fitch rating’s Asia-Pacific head, Brett Hemsley.
Following the panel discussion, which largely focused on risk and threats around the world, historian and best-selling author Niall Ferguson delivered a keynote address entitled “Why is there cause for optimism?” which provided a powerful counter-point to earlier perspectives. At the conclusion of the stage program, the extraordinary gallery of historic artworks in the Edna Barnes Solomon room was illuminated with a colorful series of Why? Forum projections, which modernized the room tnexpectedly coorng as the cocktail reception began.
For this ambitious and forward-thinking program, Empire served as overall producer, helping to secure the keynote speaker and contracting the panelists, handling all technical production, scenic and staging, catering, and guest logistics.To learn more about this innovative series, check out the Why? Forum website at www.whyforum.com.
Empire is a leading producer of thought-leadership forums that provide insight to business decision-makers worldwide.
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
