Environmental Defense Fund’s 50th Anniversary Gala
Since 1967, Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has workedtirelessly to solve the world’s biggest environmental problems. To celebrate 50years of “finding the ways that work”, EDF gathered longtimesupporters, partners, and associates to thank them and outline the pivotalsteps on the path ahead.
On the heels of the success of the first celebration in SanFrancisco in the fall of 2017, the second installment of 50thAnniversary celebrations occurred at the newly re-designed and re-opened ZiegfeldBallroom in New York City on April 17, 2018.
Over 300 guests enjoyed mingling during a cocktail hour,complete with a full bar, hors d’oeuvres, and a live jazz trio.
Guests then moved into the ballroom for the stage programand seated dinner. Following the over-arching theme of the “Four Waves” ofenvironmentalism, host Margaret Hoover (author, activist, and CNN analyst)introduced two original videos generated specifically for the occasion: thefirst documenting the growth of the environmental movement and EDF’s role init, and the second focusing on EDF’s work harnessing the power of partnershipsto achieve environmental progress.
To further drive home the message of impact, EDF welcomed arancher, farmer, and fisherman to share stories on how EDF programs havedirectly benefited them and their industries, while advancing conservation forspecies and ecosystems. As a surprise unveiling, the fisherman (Buddy Guindon),announced to the crowd that the entrée they had just enjoyed was from his veryown catch from the Gulf of Mexico.
The keynote speech was given by former New York CityMayor Michael Bloomberg, who discussed his partnership with EDF during histenure as mayor and since he left office.
EDF President, Fred Krupp, who has led the organization forthe past 34 years, rounded out the night with an impactful speech. His messageacknowledged the challenges ahead, but offered hope that EDF – with the help ofpeople in the room and others like them – could continue to make progress onthe most pressing environmental problems facing the world.
Empire is proud to have produced this anniversary event andsupports the work and mission of the EDF.
To learn more about the Environmental Defense Fund, pleasevisit www.edf.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
