The New York Public Radio Gala
Empire Entertainment was thrilled to help produce the 2023 New York Public Radio Gala at The Plaza Hotel on November 14th. This gala serves as the City's flagship public radio station’s biggest fundraising event of the year.
The program featured actor and comedian Roy Wood Jr. as Gala Host, with remarks by LaFontaine E. Oliver, CEO and President, NYPR; Timothy A. Wilkins, Board Chair, NYPR; EdYim, Chief Content Officer and SVP, WQXR; George Bodarky, Community Partnerships & Training Editor, WNYC; Jodi-Ann Malarbe, Community Partnerships Fellow, WNYC; and Emily Tow, President, The Tow Foundation.
Guests were also treated to musical performances by J’Nai Bridges, the Brooklyn College Opera Theater, and the High and Mighty Brass Band.
Empire Entertainment's role encompassed the comprehensive development of the program run of show, technical production management, and the creative design of screen graphics. In addition, Empire undertook the production and editing of three feature videos, along with the post-gala video assets, including a captivating gala sizzle reel.
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