An Exclusive Executive Thought Leadership Program in Lake Como, Italy
Over three days on the sparkling shores of Lake Como, 85 distinguished guests were immersed in the best of Italian luxury, culture, and connection for a high level thought leadership program.
The program blended business and relaxation with bucket list-worthy moments—from a welcome reception with sweeping Alpine views, to thought-provoking speaker sessions, and a grand finale dinner at a historic lakeside villa complete with live music and fireworks.
We designed bespoke scenic elements, branded collateral, floral & foliage arrangements, tabletop styling, and décor, all inspired by Lake Como’s natural beauty and artisanal heritage.
We oversaw the overall development and production of the event, including guest logistics, arranging a fleet of Venetian boats, delivering seven curated dining experiences, and curating an assortment of daily activities—from yoga and cycling to wine tastings and helicopter tours. Guests also enjoyed an immersive gifting activation celebrating local artisans.
Through partnerships with 15+ local vendors and close coordination with regional authorities, we delivered a seamless, elevated experience that balanced operational precision with authentic Italian flair.
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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
