A Global Private Equity Firm Celebrates 30 Years of Success
The acclaimed American Museum of Natural History in New York City seemed the only appropriate backdrop for this celebratory event in which the world’s largest private equity firm marked its 30th Anniversary.
Over 1,500 employees came together in the famed Milstein Hall of Ocean Life (more commonly known as the Whale Room) to memorialize their accomplishments with a custom-created menu and bar experience, an energetic DJ and an interactive photo booth, always a guest favorite. The room was transformed by custom floor-to-ceiling branded banners and backdrops highlighting the company’s achievements thus far. Soaring floral arrangements, reflective linens and sleek furniture fit perfectly with the water-themed space.
In keeping with the light mood of the fete, the company’s Founder and CEO took the “world’s largest selfie” during his stage remarks, capturing an image of all of the employees with his beloved flip phone (aided by cutting-edge technology that actually captured a 360° image of the entire room by piecing together live and pre-captured shots). The image was immediately projected on large screens in the space, prompting amusement from the crowd about their not-so-tech savvy leader.
After the remarks and just as the festivities were ramping up, the top 75 partners and advisers in the firm, accompanied by their spouses, quietly headed upstairs to the Theodore Roosevelt Rotunda (also known as the “Dinosaur Room”) for an elegant and intimate seated dinner. Once the filet mignon and desserts (customized with chocolate-sauce written notes) were enjoyed, it was time to dance! Guests enjoyed a live band while taking in the elegant décor, including soft lighting highlighting the existing architecture as well as the refined florals, linens, and lounge furniture.
The custom evening was one to remember, fit only for a firm that is one of the fastest-growing in its industry and managing over $365 billion in assets.
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
