2024 Outright International Celebration of Courage Awards & Gala
Empire was extremely honored to produce the 2024 Outright International Celebration of Courage Awards & Gala for the 3rd consecutive year.
The event kicked off Pride Month at Pier Sixty in New York City for 500 guests, raising $1 million in funding to support the advancement of human rights for LGBTIQ people.
Featuring a custom blue carpet, cocktails, dinner and program, and an afterparty hosted by DJ Robi D Light, the evening brought Outright’s brand and mission to life through environmental storytelling, a cascading set design, and custom Celebration of Courage signage and decor.
The main event, hosted by drag and television performer, BeBe Zahara Benet, honored Grammy, Emmy, and 2x Tony Award Winner, Billy Porter, the Adobe Foundation and Mitini Nepal. The program featured a very energetic live auction hosted by New York auctioneer, Harry Santa-Olalla, a special performance by Billy Porter, and remarks from Outright International Executive Director, Maria Sjödin; Outright International Board of Directors Co-Chairs, Kathy Teo and Elliot Vaughn; Actor, Producer, Activist, Wilson Cruz; Actor and Writer, Daniel K. Isaac; and more. Guests included the indie pop trio BETTY, Real Housewife of New York and fashion designer and businesswoman Jenna Lyons, artist and director Cass Bird and more.
Outright is dedicated to working with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ human rights movement, document and amplify human rights violations against LGBTIQ people, and advocate for inclusion and equality.
Empire was proud to work with the Outright team on program development, speaker and talent advancement, scenic and decor, technical production, overall project management, logistics, and more to deliver a flawless event.
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
