Co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Project Everyone, the Goalkeepers event takes place during the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York City and brings together Heads of State and international Sustainable Development Goals “Goalkeepers” (those spearheading various missions in their local communities). Among other themes, this year’s Goalkeepers focused on the challenge of fighting global inequality.

Kicking off the two-day event, the 2023 Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards were presented at the Frederick P. Rose Hall at Jazz at Lincoln Center on September 19, 2023. The Awards program included performances by the renowned Tamil dancer and choreographer, Usha Jey, Swedish singer, Zara Larsson, Tiwa Savage, and the Harlem Gospel Choir.

Award winners included Human Rights Activist, Eden Tadesse, maternal and newborn child health advocate, Ashu Martha Agbornyenty, and Farmlink Project—all recognized for their impactful efforts in combating food insufficiency and hunger.

Host Elaine Welteroth guided the program as global change-makers were honored for their work. Award presenters included Melinda French Gates, Zimbabwean-American actress, Danai Gurira, model and activist, Sabrina Elba, and Olympic swimmer and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, Yusra Mardini.

After the Goalkeepers Awards program, guests entered the Atrium space featuring the signature custom-build of the Goalkeeper wheel and a ceiling gallery installation overlooking Central Park to enjoy a networking reception with cocktails and food bars. Guests interacted with a ribbon photo backdrop and bespoke GK lettering as a backdrop to their festive photos, while enjoying the vibe set by Hot 8 Brass Band and DJ Belinda Becker.

The next morning, over 500 guests were welcomed back to the main Goalkeepers event, hosted by Canadian media personality, Lilly Singh, with an uplifting opening performance by Jon Batiste and Hot 8 Brass Band.

After the opening, programming began with keynote remarks by Melinda French Gates and Bill Gates presenting The 2023 Global Goalkeeper Award to Japan Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, followed by a seated conversation with Andrea Mitchell, President Ruto, Melinda French Gates, Prime Minister De Croo, and Bill Gates.

Throughout the day, other speakers delivered impactful messages, including a conversation between Phoebe Gates, Karlie Kloss, and Kathryn Finney.

Session moderators included Journalist Andrea Mitchell, Anchor and Political Correspondent, Abby Phillip, Newborn and Child Health expert, Dr. Rasa Izadnegahdar, and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Nicholas Kristof.

This year, there were performances by various artistic groups, including the Femme Fatale, and Grammy Award-winning artist, Cynthia Erivo.

Between and after content sessions and as breakfast, coffee breaks, and lunch were enjoyed, guests were invited to experience activations in the Atrium including the “Goalkeeper’s Library”, where the titles from the Goalkeepers community were available for the guests to take. After lunch, the guests networked and socialized to the music of DJ Belinda Becker.

Empire was proud to work again with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Project Everyone, and many other partners to present Goalkeepers 2023.

Empire proudly produced a successful, day-long convening at The Shed at Hudson Yards in New York City for an international audience focused on scientific advancement. The one day conference included plenary session, breakouts, roundtables, and a reception.

Empire was thrilled to support Pratt Industries to produce the Grand Opening of their sixth, 100% Recycled U. S. Paper Mill & Box Factory, this one in Henderson, KY.

The event featured Pratt Executive Chairman, Anthony Pratt, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, U.S. Ambassador to Australia, Caroline Kennedy, Australian Ambassador to the U.S. Kevin Rudd, Lonnie Ali, and numerous dignitaries, and members of the media.

Upon arrival at the new $700 million facility, guests were received at registration with a warm Pratt welcome and directed inside for a tour of the state-of-the-art factory, leading into the main event space where they were greeted with various mocktails and local southern bites, including Kentucky Fried Chicken.

The stage program began with a bluegrass performance by 14 time Grammy Award-Winning Dan Tyminski Band, followed by the unveiling of a commemorative plaque.

At the conclusion of the stage program, guests enjoyed passed desserts, and left with farewell gifts that included Kentucky Derby glassware, Woodford Reserve Bourbon Balls, and Pratt Industries-branded water bottles.

Empire worked closely with Pratt’s executive leadership, marketing and operations teams to plan and execute each component of this important grand opening. Empire oversaw stage program, staging, screen content, technical production, room layout, tenting, furniture, budgeting, guest experience, and more.

Empire is delighted to work with clients like Pratt Industries in key moments of their corporate growth and to support their involvement in local communities.

Empire was proud to produce an exclusive Andy Grammer concert for top sales performers of one of the world’s leading telecommunication companies during an incentive trip to Montreux, Switzerland, to celebrate their performance and achievements.

The private concert took place at Auditorium Stravinski with Andy and his band performing all his quadruple-platinum and platinum singles including “Honey, I’m Good”, “Keep Your Head Up,” and “Don’t Give Up On Me”.

Guests were treated to a delicious dinner in the impressive venue and premium access to some of the best seating in the house. To cap off the exciting evening, VIP attendees had an exclusive meet & greet with Andy after the concert.

Empire was responsible for securing the artist and advancing all logistical and production elements at Auditorium Stravinski to support the performance.

Empire is a leading provider of headline music & entertainment for corporate events and celebrations around the world.

Empire presented Grammy Winner and movie star Janelle Monáe for a corporate event in Los Angeles.

The energy from Janelle and her band at their first live show in over three years was palpable and reciprocated by the attendees as the superstar performed brand new songs like “Float” and “Lipstick Lover” along with hits from earlier albums, including “Make Me Feel” and “Tightrope”.

Empire is a leading producer of headline music for corporate events.

On Saturday, June 17, Empire worked with one of our private clients to produce a private cocktail reception, dinner, and top tier live entertainment at the spectacular Four Seasons Hotel in Philadelphia.

The evening featured special performances from comedian Brian Regan and Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, Daryl Hall, who wowed guests with intimate renditions of “Maneater,” “Rich Girl,” "Sara Smile,” “Private Eyes” and “Out of Touch” among many others.

The comic and musician also treated special guests to an exclusive meet and greet experience.​

Empire was proud to partner with Bravo once again to produce bi-coastal screening parties for Vanderpump Rules’ hotly anticipated Reunion Part 3 episode at SUR Restaurant & Lounge in Los Angeles and at Haswell Green’s in New York CIty.

SUR Restaurant & Lounge, located in West Hollywood and co-owned by Lisa Vanderpump, an original cast member of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, has been the home base for the show Vanderpump Rules, which has documented the drama stirred up by the restaurant’s gorgeous staff since 2013. In the wake of the recent media blitz around a cheating scandal that rocked the cast and was coined the name “Scandoval,” the LA viewing event at SUR provided a thrilling backdrop for fans to celebrate together in the place where it all began. In NYC, Midtown bar Haswell Green’s was transformed into a kind of SUR-annex, with sleek white lounge furniture, lush leafy tropical foliage and an abundance of fresh flora in pink and purple.

The LA & NYC events hosted over 200 guests each, and featured themed specialty cocktails (e.g. “Pumptini!” and “Revenge Dress”), menus that included SUR’s famous goat cheese balls, roaming photo booths, and fan photo ops with Vanderpump Rules cast including Lala Kent, Jax Taylor, Brittany Cartwright, Scheana Shay, and Brock Davies in NYC, and Katie Maloney, James Kennedy, and Ally Lewber in LA.

Before and after the screening, fans grooved to beats from DJ Dazzler in LA and DJ L3NI in NYC, purchased VPR merch, and shared photos and video on social media. Additional standout moments came when Jax Taylor went behind the Haswell Green’s bar to serve Pumptini! shots, Scheana Shay jumped onstage to sing along to her original song “Good As Gold”, and over at SUR, James Kennedy grabbed the mic and pumped up the crowd before the final reunion episode of Vanderpump Rules’ wild and shocking Season 10.

Empire managed the venues, technical production, design & decor, guest logistics, registration, printing and branded collateral, food and beverage, and security.

Empire is honored to have been chosen to produce this fun-filled night and to work on another event with our collaborators at Bravo.

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Empire is thrilled to have partnered again with The Public Theater to produce their annual Gala in Central Park!

It was another successful Gala on the Green with cocktails, dinner, flower crowns, and performances from Lin Manuel Miranda, Brandon Victor Dixon, Christopher Jackson, Maleah Joi Moon, and Anna Uzele. The program also highlighted remarks by Senator Chuck Schumer, Luis Miranda, Patrick Willingham, and Oskar Eustis, honoring both Marlla Torres and Darren Walker. The event ended with Anna Uzele’s incredible performance of “New York New York,” as it started to downpour. Guests raised their umbrellas and their glasses up high as the show went on.

The Public Theater hit new records in fundraising, bringing in support for the arts, artists, and their commitment to producing theater for all. We are extremely proud to have partnered with The Public Theater to create such a successful event!

To learn more about The Public Theater and their programs and to become a member and supporter, visit http://www.publictheater.org/

📸Simon Luethi

Empire was honored to once again produce Outright International’s annual Celebration of Courage Gala in 2023.

The red carpet, cocktails, program, and afterparty for 450+ was hosted during Pride Month at Pier Sixty in New York City.

Outright’s brand was brought to life through environmental storytelling, a cascading set design, and custom Celebration of Courage bar signage and decor.

Guests were seated for dinner and the main event honoring the Eastern Caribbean Alliance for Diversity and Equality (ECADE), Google.org, and the Queer Cast of Star Trek: Discovery. The program featured show host BeBe Zahara Benet; Star Trek awardees Wilson Cruz, Blu del Barrio, and Anthony Rapp; Outright International Executive Director, Maria Sjödin; and Outright International Board Co-Chairs, Kathy Teo and Elliot Vaughn.

The evening raised $1 million in funding, with a very energetic live auction hosted by New York City auctioneer, Harry Santa-Olalla.

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 to deliver a flawless event.

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Empire was thrilled once again to help produce the Environmental Defense Fund’s (EDF) annual staff retreat, Community 2023.

The multi-day, hybrid retreat packed with keynotes, breakouts, and activities for 900+ in-person staff members from over 10 countries was hosted at the Mohegan Sun in Connecticut, and online for remote participants.

Highlights included the Welcome Reception and EDF Expo on Day 1; welcome remarks from Mohegan Tribal Elder Beth Regan; a Community Chat and Q&A with EDF President, Fred Krupp, and Executive Director, Amanda Leland; keynotes with CNN’s Chief Climate Correspondent, Bill Weir, and Comedic Thought Leader, Michael Jr.; the EDF Staff Awards Ceremony; karaoke; a dance party with DJ Ian Ali; and Wellness Fair featuring yoga, biometric screenings, and much more.

Empire’s scope of work included overall project management, consulting on run of show development and technical production, speaker advancement, stage scenic design, environmental wayfinding design, screen content design and animations, Cvent website/app design, stage management, and overall logistics.

Empire is proud to have worked with EDF to deliver a very memorable staff retreat.

Photo credit: Terrence Irving Photography

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