Billed as the premier event for all things hospitality, the Travel + Leisure World’s Best Summit brought together the brightest minds in travel, hotels, luxury experiences, and dining for two days of dynamic conversation and industry-defining insights. And who better to bring this visionary event to life than Empire? As the production partner behind the summit, we transformed Dotdash Meredith’s headquarters into a high-impact stage for thought leadership, storytelling, and connection—delivering a seamless, immersive experience worthy of the World’s Best name.

To reflect the evolving landscape of travel, a simple theater was reimagined as a dynamic forum, welcoming over 300 attendees. Discussions tackled everything from sustainability and family travel to the future of air travel, the power of cultural events, and how AI and social media are reshaping the industry.

The summit kicked off with a fireside chat between T+L Editor-in-Chief Jacqui Gifford and Dotdash Meredith CEO Neil Vogel, setting the stage for thought-provoking discussions featuring panelists like Amanda Kloots (The Talk), Andy Krantz (CEO, Paravel), Paul Tumpowsky (Founder, New Yonder), and Christine Vinesse Thomas (VP, Global Brand Leader, Hyatt). Day one concluded with a vibrant cocktail reception, where we transformed the space with bold, branded visuals that brought the World’s Best Summit identity to life.

Day two kept the momentum going with panels on delivering unparalleled guest experiences, the growing importance of wellness, and the influence of social media on modern travel. Featured panelists included renowned chef and restaurateur, Daniel Boulud, and Jack Ezon (Founder and CEO, Embark Beyond), who shared their expertise on crafting exceptional hospitality experiences. The program wrapped up with an engaging and often humorous conversation between Jacqui Gifford and Bobbi Brown, who discussed her journey from cosmetics mogul to boutique hotel owner.

The summit was a true celebration of the industry’s future and was a resounding success, with attendees praising the experience as “thoughtful and special” and recognizing the T+L team for their “warm hospitality and expert planning.” We’re proud to have played a role in bringing this extraordinary gathering to life.

Empire delivered Nashville Legend, A.J. Croce and band for a private, surprise birthday party.

The event took place at The Crosby Club in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego, an exclusive members-only venue overlooking The Crosby Club Golf Course designed by world-renowned golf course architect Brian Curley and one of golf’s greatest players, Fred Couples.

Surprising the intimate audience of friends and family, A.J performed a soulful mix of his legendary father's Jim Croce’s hits including “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown'', “Operator” and “New York’s Not My Home”, and his own original music like “So Much Fun” and “Better Day”. 

A born storyteller, guests got the exclusive experience of hearing firsthand incredible stories of A.J.’s life, and the history behind his father's music and his legacy. 

It did not take long for everyone in the crowd to get up from their seats and hit the dance floor. It truly was a night of celebration for the past and the future. 

Empire was responsible for securing talent and working closely with the artist and client production and logistics teams to ensure that every detail came off flawlessly.

Empire is the world’s leading producer of headline entertainment for intimate audiences and bespoke, private concert experiences.

Empire's long-standing industry partner, Awards 360, asked us to collaborate on delivering a three-day, informal outdoor gathering for the prestigious transformation consultancy, COLLINS, and their guests during Cannes Lions in France. Set in a beautifully restored French villa, this series of talks was crafted as an oasis amidst the bustling Cannes Lions schedule, blending insightful conversations with live musical performances and signature cocktails.

The events were purposefully designed to provide business leaders, marketers, and creators with a space to engage in open-minded discussions while enjoying the stunning French Riviera. Each day of programming attracted a highly curated, intimate audience, fostering meaningful connections.

Evenings were capped off with captivating performances by the Moyses dos Santos Band, featuring guest singers provided by Mike Jurkovac and the team at VAST, entertaining guests well into the night.

The result? We delivered a meticulously curated experience in France, further expanding our global footprint in the EMEA region. From leading event logistics, technical production, stage management, décor, and overall project management, the experience was seamless and a success.

For the first time ever, The World’s 50 Best Restaurants took over the bright lights of Las Vegas, inviting esteemed guests to celebrate the best culinary outposts from around the world at the iconic Wynn Las Vegas.

More than 1,200 attendees from across the globe gathered in Las Vegas for the multi-day event, which showcased the 50 finest restaurants worldwide, judged by leading experts in the fine dining community.

Formal programming began with a press conference, hosted by the CEO of William Reed, Charles Reed, where leading members of the 50 Best organization provided insights into the future of 50 Best and opened the floor to questions from international media attendees. The press conference included a fun video produced by the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Bureau featuring an original song, “Yes Chef” by Steve Aoiki. 

The Press Conference was followed by the #50BestTalks, where leading chefs shared their creativity and insights on the food and beverage industry. Guests also sampled fisheye ice cream by Chef Josh Niland, a ‘celtuce celebration’ cocktail by Chef Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park, and a spin on the classic cosmic brownie by Chef Kwame Onwuachi of Top Chef and Tatiana.

As the sun set in the Las Vegas desert, the Chef’s Feast took place at Wynn’s East Pavilion & Lawn, with a wide range of experiential sponsor activations. This event was one where chefs were finally able to relax and not cook! Guests enjoyed curated small bites and cocktails from various sponsor booths and received goodie bags containing branded items such as a bottle opener from Beronia and an apron from Estrella Damm.

The celebrations continued the following day with the gala awards night. When guests arrived at a beautifully curated reception space, complete with a red carpet and photography moment, the nominated chefs and restaurants received 50 Best’s signature red scarves, provided by Aspire Lifestyles, to wear and distinguish them throughout the evening. There were over two dozen sponsor activations, each serving specialty food and drink items crafted by top bartenders and chefs showcasing their skills.

Sponsors included San Pellegrino + Acqua Panna, Amex/Resy, Estrella Damm, Beronia, Kaviari, Craft Irish Whiskey, Woodford Reserve, Tequila Ocho, and many more, creating a haven for beautifully crafted cocktails and small bites. Justin & The Swingbeats provided entertainment with classic Vegas hits and jazz twists on modern favorites.

The Awards Ceremony, the highlight of the event, was hosted by Spanish broadcaster Olivia Freijo. She guided the audience through the program and announced several special awards. Barcelona’s Disfrutar took the No. 1 spot this year, celebrated for its brilliantly imaginative dishes, technical mastery, and playful presentation.

The entire ceremony was livestreamed on 50 Best’s Facebook and YouTube channels, allowing a global audience to witness the announcement of the official list of the hottest spots around the globe.

After the ceremony, guests headed to the Encore Beach Club for the The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Afterparty. They were greeted by Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe lookalikes for photo opportunities at a beautifully designed "Welcome to Las Vegas" sign, provided by LVCVA. DJ Freddy B kept the party going well past midnight, culminating in a surprise champagne toast to Disfrutar for taking the top spot.

Empire worked closely with William Reed and the 50 Best team as well as other partners to deliver this remarkable celebration. Empire’s responsibilities included overall production management, screen content and graphics creation, technical design and management, livestream, sponsor fulfillment and activation, stage management, talent booking, and overall logistics. We are incredibly proud to again partner with William Reed to bring this awards celebration to the culinary capital of Las Vegas, shining a light on the best in hospitality.

Empire was extremely honored to produce the 2024 Outright International Celebration of Courage Awards & Gala for the 3rd consecutive year.

The event kicked off Pride Month at Pier Sixty in New York City for 500 guests, raising $1 million in funding to support the advancement of human rights for LGBTIQ people.

Featuring a custom blue carpet, cocktails, dinner and program, and an afterparty hosted by DJ Robi D Light, the evening brought Outright’s brand and mission to life through environmental storytelling, a cascading set design, and custom Celebration of Courage signage and decor.

The main event, hosted by drag and television performer BeBe Zahara Benet, honored Grammy, Emmy, and two-time Tony Award winner Billy Porter, the Adobe Foundation, and Mitini Nepal. The program featured a very energetic live auction hosted by New York auctioneer, Harry Santa-Olalla; a special performance by Billy Porter; remarks from Outright International Executive Director, Maria Sjödin; Outright International Board of Directors Co-Chairs, Kathy Teo and Elliot Vaughn; actor, producer, and activist, Wilson Cruz; actor and writer, Daniel K. Isaac; and more. Guests included the indie pop trio BETTY, Real Housewives of New York, fashion designer and businesswoman, Jenna Lyons, artist and director Cass Bird, and more.

Outright is dedicated to working with partners around the globe to strengthen the capacity of the LGBTIQ human rights movement, document and amplify human rights violations against LGBTIQ people, and advocate for inclusion and equality.

Empire was proud to work with the Outright team on program development, speaker and talent advancement, scenic and decor, technical production, overall project management, logistics, and more to deliver a flawless event.

CyberArk is the global leader in Identity Security, providing solutions to protect human and machine identities, secure hybrid environments, and fend off AI-driven threats. CyberArk IMPACT tackles the imperative need to share the latest advancements in identity security and brings together top experts and organizations dedicated to making the digital world safer for all. For the second year in a row, Empire partnered with CyberArk to produce IMPACT 2024.

This year's IMPACT event was hosted at the JW Marriott in Nashville, TN, where Empire and CyberArk worked together to transform the hotel conference center into an immersive brand experience. Elements included a custom-designed scenic entrance moment, an illuminated Cyber Arena (Expo Hall), and an impressive keynote space. Additional ancillary events were hosted offsite to enrich the Nashville experience. Partner Day showcased CyberArk's goals and achievements at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and all attendees were invited to the IMPACT Soiree hosted at Luke's 32, where they could experience live country music, Nashville cuisine, and a bull riding activation. 

IMPACT kicked off on Monday evening with a welcome reception on the transformed outdoor lawn of the JW Marriott with a performance by The Royal Hounds, passed hors d’oeuvres, lawn games, a tap truck, and Hattie B’s Fried Chicken. The lawn was also home to attendee lunches, curated by the JW's hospitality team and supplemented with local Nashville food truck options. 

This year's keynote programs kicked off on Tuesday, welcoming notable speakers such as Kara Swisher, Robert Herjavec (from Shark Tank), CyberArk CEO Matt Cohen, and CyberArk Founder & Executive Chairman, Udi Mokady. LED wristbands were used as a welcome moment and to indicate that keynote presentations were set to begin. CyberArk utilized every event space at the JW, hosting over 57 breakouts, 30 hands-on labs and trainings, as well as customized events for partners and investors. 

This was Empire’s second year producing IMPACT 2024 and it was a resounding success, with attendance exceeding previous years accompanied by stellar feedback. Empire is proud to have been a part of this year's IMPACT and looks forward to continuing to produce innovative and future-forward events. 

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View The Space (VTS), a leading real estate software company, held their annual conference VTS Accelerate at Chelsea Industrial and brought together over 300 clients, influential thought leaders, and employees for one day of keynote presentations, panel discussions, experiential exhibits, and networking opportunities.

The program featured a full day of main stage content from morning to evening, and included multiple sessions and customer awards that were distributed throughout. Guests also experienced the custom-built “Product Zone”, where VTS’s newest software was unveiled, and attendees were able to interact with the VTS product and sales team while connecting with each other.

The creative look and feel of the event was produced via collaboration between Empire and These Days, VTS’s creative agency.

Working hand-in-hand with the VTS team, we managed all aspects of production including fabrication, printing, catering, budgeting, staging, technical production, and venue management. We are proud to be a leading producer of bespoke B2B customer events.

Screenvision Media, a national leader in delivering video advertising and content partnership opportunities for cinema exhibitors, presented their 2024 Upfront. Approximately 500 advertisers, media buyers, and industry professionals gathered at Jazz at Lincoln Center in Midtown Manhattan to hear about the power of cinema and its ability to increase brand sales and deliver quality impressions.

Upon arrival, guests were treated to welcome drinks and snacks, Screenvision trivia, and exclusive movie trailers. Virtual attendees joined the livestream, and in-person attendees gathered in the Frederick P. Rose Hall to hear remarks from CRO of National Ad Sales Christine Martino. CEO John Partilla then took the stage for an engaging one-on-one conversation with actor and producer Alec Baldwin.

Following the stage presentation, attendees flowed into the Ertegun Atrium and Appel Room for cocktails, music from DJ L3NI, a movie-themed photo booth activation, and a surprise performance from Fitz and the Tantrums!

Upon departure, guests scanned a QR code to reveal a Fandango gift card so they could savor the magic of the big screen long after the Upfront.

Empire oversaw and coordinated all event logistics and timelines for the pre-reception, program, and post-reception. Our team utilized the Upfront logos to develop a unique brand identity that was woven throughout the entirety of the event. Creative elements included program graphics and animations, furniture and decor selections, and digital and print signage.

Empire’s program, technical, and talent teams collaborated closely with Screenvision Media to produce the main stage program and the post-reception headliner performance.

Empire is proud to produce the Screenvision Media Upfront for the sixth year and is a leading producer of Upfronts and Newfronts for the advertising-supported media industry.

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In celebration of Smile Train's 25 years of lighting up the world with smiles, the 25th Anniversary Gala aimed to reflect on the journey, honor the stars who have supported the cause, and look ahead to a bright future. Over 300 guests gathered for an inspiring evening featuring a cocktail reception, seated dinner, star-studded “blue carpet,” and an honoree program, all celebrating this milestone in cleft care.

The event kicked off with a unique “Pup-Jito Lounge,” sponsored by Brutus Broth, where guests had the opportunity to take photos with cleft-affected puppies and enjoy a signature Pup-Jito cocktail, creatively tying into the theme. Hosted by Jeannie Mai, the program featured heartfelt tributes to luminaries such as Naomi Glasses, Sister Shoba Lonappan, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Susannah Schaefer, President and CEO of Smile Train, shared the inspiring news of the organization's 2 millionth surgery.

Grammy-nominated artist Jordin Sparks performed a mix of her hits, energizing the crowd and setting the stage for the afterparty with DJ Jazzy Jeff. Notable VIPs like Justin Long, Kate Bosworth, and Elizabeth Gillies joined the celebration, adding to the event's star power.

The gala garnered widespread media coverage, generating over 8 billion digital impressions and sparking post-event buzz in publications such as People Magazine, Essence, and The Wall Street Journal. Good Morning America also amplified the event’s reach through social media.

Empire was proud to lead the creative direction, secure the venue, manage on-site talent, and ensure flawless technical production and program execution. Working closely with Smile Train and strategic partners, we helped make their 25th Anniversary Gala an unforgettable celebration of their incredible work and future vision.

Empire presented Barenaked Ladies for a private corporate group in Washington, DC on May 8, 2024. The super fun and engaging quartet put on a great show filled with upbeat hits including “One Week”, “Pinch Me”, “If I Had $1,000,000”, and “The Big Bang Theory Theme”. As usual, the band requested information about the corporate client in advance and worked some of the executives and other issues relevant to the company into the show in a comedic way, which the attendees loved.

Recommending and contracting headline talent has been a core expertise of Empire since its inception and remains a valuable part of our overall event production services.