30th Annual Webby Awards
The 30th Annual Webby Awards marked our 22nd year producing the iconic celebration, bringing together the creators, entertainers, and digital forces defining Internet culture today. Welcoming over 900 guests, the experience blended celebrity, comedy, digital influence, and live entertainment into one of the industry’s most anticipated nights. From the energy of the red carpet arrivals and entertainment media coverage to the excitement of the live show and after party, every moment was designed to capture the fast paced spirit of the Internet itself.
Hosted by Emmy nominated comedian and The Daily Show correspondent Josh Johnson, the ceremony featured standout appearances from Shonda Rhimes, Pete Davidson, Machine Gun Kelly, Kylie Kelce, Jack Harlow, Druski, and Taraji P. Henson. The celebration continued with the signature after party, where our team booked and managed performances by creative force Vic Mensa and high energy DJ set by Cosmo.
Our team led production of the red carpet experience, talent logistics, registration and guest flow, entertainment media and creator coverage, technical production, and media room management, delivering a vibrant, internet era experience from arrivals through curtain call. We have proudly produced every live Webby Awards ceremony since 2005, helping evolve the event into one of the Internet’s most iconic cultural celebrations.
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
