Playworks Get in the Game Gala
Playworks celebrated their fourth annual New York Get in theGame Gala recognizing the Most Valuable Principal, Atiba Buckman of Newark Public Schools’ Speedway Academies. This school year, acclaimed non-profit Playworks will provide safe, healthy, and inclusive play for nearly 900,000 children in more than 1,800 elementary schools nationwide, which reduces bullying, increases physical activity, improves learning, and promotes social and emotional skills.
The evening featured remarks from Executive Director of Playworks, Kim McCall, Founder and CEO, Jill Vialet, a live auction led by CK Swett raising an all-time high of $225,000, entertainment from musician, actress, and social media influencer, Rebecca Black, recess games, a friendly game of Ro Sham Bo, plus great food and drink. Funds raised support the expanding efforts of Playworks to bring the power of play to every girl and boy in New York City and beyond.
To help make this event a success, Empire produced the fundraiser once again at the elegant Tribeca Rooftop, where we transported guests from the ballroom to the playground on the transformed rooftop space. Attendees enjoyed stunning Manhattan views and experienced play through sophisticated and immersive activations of traditional recess games like FourSquare and Switch, along with life-sized installations of Checkers, Jenga, and Connect 4.
Working closely with Playworks, Empire served as the event producer, managing elements including venue, décor, technical production, and performing talent. Empire is a leading producer of fundraising events and we are honored that Playworks continues to work with us to produce successful galas.
To support or learn more about Playworks, please visit www.playworks.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
