The Call for Code Global Prize Celebration
The Call for Code Initiative is a multi-year, global rallying cry for developers to use their skills and mastery of the latest technologies to drive positive change across the world through the code they create. Call for Code brings startup, academic, and enterprise developers together and inspires them to solve the most pressing societal issues of our time.
In its inaugural year, Empire worked hand-in-hand with Creator David Clark Cause and Founding partner, IBM respectively, to produce the first ever Call for Code Global Prize Celebration at The Regency Ballroom in San Francisco.
For 2018, the Call for Code Global Challenge invited developers to create solutions that significantly improve preparedness for natural disasters and relief when they hit. The response to this first-of-its-kind competition was astounding: Developers from 156 nations took part in the Call for Code, investing an estimated 1 million developer towards a specific mission to alleviate human suffering. The initiative had the support from a cross-section of experts, humanitarian and international organizations, including United Nations Human Rights Office, The American Red Cross and the Linux Foundation.
On arrival guests were met at the entrance by a mounted team of San Francisco first responders. The Awards event kicked off with a cocktail hour which included activations focused on hurricanes, wildfires, and earthquakes. Each activation had three elements – projected video footage of natural disasters, screen content to display developer solutions, and tablet computers with corresponding data. Guests were invited to interact with these activations and discover the impact natural disasters have once they hit.
The stage program began dramatically with an immersive sound environment in the dark that transported the audience into the middle of a natural disaster which led to the introduction of program host, Kate Parker, Meteorologist and Science Reporter at The Weather Channel. Other program participants included Deputy Fire Chief of the City of Palo Alto, Geo Blackshire, Chief of External Relations of UN Human Rights, Laurent Sauveur, Developer Evangelist, JOMA, and Communications and Policy Lead at Project Lantern, Subalekha.
Of the top three finalists, Project OWL was named the winner for their innovative IoT and software solution that keeps first responders and victims connected in a natural disaster. The winner was chosen by a panel of eminent judges that included former President Bill Clinton.
Call for Code concluded with an upbeat performance by Local Natives, who are also committed and interested in coding technology.
“Empire CEO J. B. Miller and his entire production team did a fantastic job creating a dynamic, immersive event for the inaugural Call for Code Global Celebration”, said Call for Code creator David Clark. “My team, as well as the team at IBM were thrilled with the results, yet I was not surprised, as I’ve engaged Empire countless times over the last 18 years, and they delivered, as they always have.”
To learn more and / or join next year’s Call for Code, please visit https://callforcode.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
