Playworks Celebrates 20th Year Anniversary at Second Annual Get in the Game Gala
Playworks celebrated its 20th year anniversary by raising more than$200,000 at the second annual New York Get in the Game Gala,recognizing Inspiring Leadership Honoree ESPN and Most ValuablePrincipal Heather Foster-Mann of Brooklyn’s PS 133 William A. ButlerSchool. This school year, acclaimed nonprofit Playworks will providesafe, healthy and inclusive play for nearly 900,000 children in morethan 1,800 elementary schools nationwide that reduce bullying,increase physical activity, improve learning and promote social andemotional skills.
The evening featured remarks from Olympic gold medalists Edwin Mosesand Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, a live auction led by CK Swett,entertainment from Grammy nominated artist John Forte andinternational recording artist ELEW, recess games, a friendly pingpong tournament, plus food and drink. Funds raised support theexpanding efforts of Playworks to bring the power of play to everygirl and boy in New York and beyond.
To help make this event a success, Empire produced the fundraiser atthe elegant Tribeca Rooftop venue where we transported guests from theballroom to the playground on the transformed rooftop space.Attendees enjoyed stunning Manhattan views and experienced playthrough sophisticated and immersive activations of traditional recessgames like Four Square, along with life sized installations of Chess,Jenga and Connect 4.
Working closely with Playworks, Empire served as the event producer,managing elements including venue, décor, technical production, andperforming talent. Empire is a leading producer of fundraising eventsand we are honored that Playworks continues to work with us to producesuccessful events.
To support or learn more about Playworks, please visit www.playworks.org
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
