Unitas Gala
Empire was proud to partner with UNITAS to produce their 5th Annual Gala at Cipriani South Street. Over 450 guests gathered together for the first time since 2019 to support UNITAS' mission to disrupt human trafficking and to provide opportunities for survivors to thrive.
Held during the height of Fashion Week, there was a packed red carpet and a cocktail reception with gorgeous florals, generously donated by Sunshine Bouquet. Then guests sat down for a delicious dinner and program hosted by Emmy award winning journalist and WABC-TV News Anchor Sade Baderinwa.
The program featured remarks by UNITAS CEO Tonya Turner, Executive Vice President Lamont Heibert and three distinguished honorees: President and Founder of ESD Global Self Defense, Yehudit Zicklin-Sidikman; Human Trafficking Survivor and Educator, Jessica Kay; and Lieutenant Amy Capogna of the NYC Police Department Detective Bureau, Vice Human Trafficking Unit- Human Trafficking Squad. All were honored for their courageous work in the fight against trafficking and advocacy for a safer and violence free tomorrow. A live auction then followed with high energy auctioneer, Harry Santa Olalla, where overall they raised $1 million to continue UNITAS' vital work.
Evening highlights included an incredible live performance by multi-platinum singer Natasha Bedingfield, who performed four songs including a cover of Prince’s classic “Purple Rain,” the Grammy-nominated “Unwritten,” “These Words,” and “Pocketful of Sunshine, plus performances by Pharell-produced recording artist/singer Cris Cab and violist David Carpenter of The Carpenter Trio.
Working closely with UNITAS, Empire served as the overall event producer, managing elements including venue, catering, décor, program development and technical production. Empire is a leading producer of fundraising events and has been proud to serve leading not-for-profit organizations and foundations for nearly three decades.
For more information on UNITAS, please visit https://www.unitas.ngo/
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
