Dartmouth’s The Call to Lead Capital Campaign Celebration Events

Following the successful spring launch events produced by Empire in New York and San Francisco for Dartmouth College’s $3 billion capital campaign, The Call to Lead, Dartmouth’s leadership once again turned to Empire as their creative and production partner for a multi-city tour to expand the campaign’s reach and to promote its vision, impact, and progress.

These regional events, focusing on both campaign impact and Dartmouth’s 250^th anniversary, are meant to re-ignite ties between Dartmouth’s alumni and their alma, mater and to further promote Dartmouth’s strategic priorities locally, nationally, and around the world. The first four stops on the tour—in the fall of 2018—were Stamford, CT, Chicago, Boston, and Seattle.

Each event followed a similar format, with adaptations and localizations for each city. Upon arrival, guests were met with a Dartmouth-themed exterior presence and live music experience. Guests registered at branded, wooden “Call to Lead” check-in desks and then entered a theater space to enjoy a program. Décor included wooden chairs dressed with Dartmouth green cushions and hung with individual college pennants. The program began with a viewing of the “March of Time” video counting down the 249 years of Dartmouth’s history. Speakers included Chair of the Dartmouth Board of Trustees, Laurel Richie, and Dartmouth College President, Philip J. Hanlon, who delivered updates on the campaign and gift announcements that were customized for each location. Each program also featured two student-faculty pairs of presenters who highlighted the experiential learning and collaborations that help define the Dartmouth experience.

At the finalé of the stage program, a musical performance led to a reveal of a Dartmouth-themed reception. This featured replicas of major Dartmouth landmarks surrounded by a backdrop of the New Hampshire forest custom-printed in high-definition on scenic drape. Custom scenic pieces representing Dartmouth Hall, Baker Tower, and other campus landmarks filled the space, which also included intimate areas for curated conversations. A focal point of the reception space was a giant, free-standing bar inspired by the iconic Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. This centerpiece featured a canoe bar back and wooden roof with panoramic screens displaying high definition campus imagery through each of the four seasons. Each reception featured a trio of live musicians providing background music and an interactive photo-booth.

Empire worked closely with several Dartmouth departments, students, faculty, alumni, and volunteers, as well as many creative, communications, production, and events partners to plan and execute the events. Empire’s role included concept development, messaging, venue acquisition, budgeting, registration, scripting, screen content production, technical production, catering, permitting, security, scenic, décor, staffing, and guest logistics and experience.

The Call to Lead aspires to raise $3 billion overall to realize three overarching goals: advancing Dartmouth’s distinctive educational model to its fullest potential; making discoveries that improve the human condition; and preparing students for lives of wise leadership. To date, more than 81,600 donors have committed a total of $1.84 billion to the campaign through gifts of all sizes.

Dartmouth will present multiple regional campaign and 250th anniversary celebrations through November 2019.

Empire is a leading producer of high-level events, both on and off campus, for Ivy League schools and many of the world’s leading educational institutions.

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