Empire Designs & Produces An Extraordinary 3 Day Microsoft Conference With Many Innovative Elements
March 2007. San Francisco, The Fairmont Hotel
For the second consecutive year, one of the world's largest companies chose Empire to produce their multi-day recognition event for their top technical employees. The event took place at the world-renowned Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco, where guests were treated to a weekend full of activities, speakers, entertainment, educational seminars and celebration. Following an introductory dinner, with keynotes from several of their top executives, the always comical magic duo, Penn and Teller, performed a customized magic show. The team ended with a trick that included one of the company's senior vice presidents, which resulted in a huge round of applause. An after party took place in the breathtaking Crown Room with San Francisco legend, Bud E. Luv performed his famous Las Vegas-style cabaret performance.
The next morning, the Crown Room was transformed into a serene environment with citrus accents and rose petals in which Tai Chi and Yoga classes were offered to attendees by world-renowned instructors. Later that morning, attendees entered the main ballroom, which mimicked the sets of morning talk shows like Good Morning America and The Today Show. After breakfast, the live program commenced, hosted by a company executive and featuring several custom video roll-ins that were filmed, edited and produced on site. In addition to the humorous live morning show-style commentary, the program featured an educational, interactive panel discussion with several of the company's key executives. Empire also developed custom logos that were branded on mugs, t-shirts and pencils to be handed out to attendees.That afternoon, in what was called the World Perspective University, guests had the opportunity to attend a series of lectures delivered by top professors from eight of the world's leading educational institutions including Oxford, Cambridge, University of California Berkeley and Kyoto University. Each professor offered a sophisticated lecture designed with the intention of intellectually challenging the guests.
That evening, following an elegant cocktail reception, attendees entered the newly transformed main ballroom. With 360 degree digital projection, the ballroom was wrapped in a continuous, 410' long and 18' high screen that projected some of the most cutting-edge, high definition visual imagery ever created. With custom visuals created specifically for the event, guests were treated to a kaleidoscope of color, pattern and movement. Welcoming guests to the dinner, Mass Ensemble performed on satellite stages scattered through the ballroom. The evening featured a keynote address by Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates followed by a surprise fireside chat and Q&A with Gates and one of Hollywood's most acclaimed filmmakers, George Lucas. Immediately after the fireside discussion, guests were shown a 10 minute film created especially for this evening. The film told the visual story of the history of consciousness and technology and projected a vision of the future that was accompanied by an original score.
Following the film, guests were escorted to the Star Wars Disco-themed after party. Guests danced the night away to the music of DJ Crash and performances by acrobatic and aerial troupe, Antigravity. For those looking for a more relaxing environment, a whiskey expert lead a single-malt tasting seminar at one of the Fairmont's original bars. After a long night of festivities, the departure breakfast provided attendees with one last hurrah. With soft jazz playing in the background by Liberty Street Jazz Band, guests relaxed over breakfast before heading home.
Empire developed, designed and delivered every aspect and component of the program in collaboration with the client and supplied all speaker and entertainment booking, staging, sound, lighting, and audio visual services, décor, production management and onsite staffing.