The Lowline Forces of Nature Anti-Gala
On Halloween eve, Empire produced the Lowline Anti-Gala for the 5th consecutive year. The annual fundraiser plays a crucial role in the organization’s plan to convert an underground trolley terminal into the world’s first, solar-powered subterranean park on Manhattan’s Lower East Side. This year, the welcomed guests to the historical Stanford White-designed Capitale near the Lowline site, for a Forces of Nature-themed costume party.
Guests were welcomed into a vibrant cocktail reception referencing strong undertones of the elements of water and air. Dinner was served in the grand ballroom, in which over 20 live trees, which had been graciously donated by John Mini, created an ambiance for a moonlit dinner in a forest to symbolize the earth.
The dinner program was hosted by Dan Barasch, Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Lowline and board member Marquise Stillwell. The program honored longtime Lower East Side resident and famed actor, Alan Cumming. Dressed as Spiderman, Alan gave gracious remarks about the Lowline’s development and his experience living in NYC. Marquise and Dan also honored Veronica Vasquez, a member of the Lowline Young Ambassadors Program.
After dinner, Marquise, Dan and Alan led the pledge drive to a festive Monster Mash. Energy in the room was high as guests raised over $20,000 for The Lowline in addition to $250,000 in sponsorships and table sales, taking the project one step closer to goal of opening by 2021.
DJ Lina provided music for the party that kept guests on the dance floor in the fiery themed after-party. New York City’s famed fire performer, Flambeaux and his fire dancers lit the room with excitement and awe as costumed guests danced into the late hours of the night.
Empire has been honored to serve as Lowline’s event producers since 2013 and are proud to support the creation of the world’s first cutting-edge underground park.
To learn more about the Lowline, visit thelowline.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
