During the 2014 United Nations General Assembly in New York City, Empire’s Latin America Division had the privilege to serve as production company for a keynote presentation by the Honorable Enrique Peña Nieto, President of Mexico.

The keynote took place at the St. Regis Hotel at a conference presented by the Economic Club of New York for approximately 200 top executives and a large contingent of members of the international media.

Empire was responsible for all technical production, staging, sound, lighting, video projection and simultaneous interpretation of the program as well as coordinating with security and the Mexican Government on all event needs.

In the United States or in any other region, Empire’s Latin America Division serves government agencies, corporations, not-for-profit institutions and private individuals with a wide range of services to support the communication of their messages and initiatives to their target audiences.

Empire is honored to regularly support keynote remarks and appearances by Heads of State throughout the world.

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On September 20th, UN Women hosted a special event with Goodwill Ambassador Emma Watson to kick-start #HeforShe, a global solidarity movement in support of women’s rights and full equality between women and men. The campaign aims to galvanize one billion men and boys as advocates for ending the inequalities that women and girls face globally. Empire acted as the overall event producer handling all audio, video, staging, scenic and signage aspects as well as the creative framing of the stage program.

Moderated by CNN Anchor Wolf Blitzer, the HeForShe event put men at the center of activism to end persistent inequalities faced by women and girls around the world. A highlight of the event was the activation of the HeForShe map— a real-time map with a geo locator that captures men’s engagement with the initiative around the world over the next 12 months and provides a tally against the campaign’s one billion target. The UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon announced the initiative’s first goal, which is to mobilize the first100,000 world citizens in this way. The top UN official, through his map activation, was counted as the ‘number one man’. To read his speech, click here.

The event brought together renowned personalities, including senior UN officials such as UN General Assembly President, Sam Kahamba Kutesa, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Babatunde Osotimehin and Former Finland President, President Tarja Halonen, along with actor Kiefer Sutherland, who offered the male perspective on genderequality.For more information on U.N. Women and the HeForShe Campaign go to http://www.heforshe.org To stream the entire program click here.

​In September 2014, Empire delivered two incredible Australian artists, Colin Hay and The TEN Tenors, to perform at an insurance company’s incentive program in Sydney. For a very small audience of 50, Empire recommended Colin Hay, the former lead vocalist of “Men at Work”, and singer of “Down Under”, arguably the most well-known song about Australia. Colin’s solo acoustic performance fit the intimate event perfectly, and included not only his signature song about his home country, but other hits including “Who Can It Be Now?”, “Overkill”, “It’s A Mistake”, and more.

And for the client’s evening at the Sydney Opera House, Empire presented The TEN Tenors, one of Australia’s greatest entertainment success stories. Celebrated for their colorful repertoire, breathtaking arrangements and powerful live performances, The TEN Tenors respectfully tip their hats not only to the great classical composers, but to contemporary music’s most popular artists. Their troupe gave the attendees goose bumps with their arias and classical pieces, which fit perfectly in what is perhaps the best known Opera House on the planet, but then also surprised the guests with their breathtaking renditions of more current performers including Jeff Buckley, creating a party atmosphere.

Empire is proud to have presented and produced headline artists in more than 30 countries worldwide, and takes pride in being able to recommend and secure the ideal performers for conferences and events around theglobe.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) celebrated its 20th Kids4Kids family festival at the Field House at Chelsea Piers in New York City, again partnering with Empire as their production company. The event, co-chaired by world-renowned fashion photographer and EGPAF board member Nigel Barker and his wife Cristen Barker, raised funds and awareness for the effort to achieve an AIDS-free generation.

Celebrity attendees at Kids 4 Kids included New York Mets pitcher Matt Harvey, Miss Universe Gabriela Isler, Olympic swimmer Matt Targett, and actress and EGPAF celebrity ambassador Fatima Ptacek. Other celebrity guests included cast members from Netflix's Orange Is the New Black Joel Garland, and Yael Stone; Clare Foley, Zabryna Guevara, J.W. Cortes, and David Mazouz from Fox's new series Gotham; Johnny Lee Miller from CBS's "Elementary;" and Kristen Taekman of Real Housewives of New York. Bluegrass band Seven Handle Circus closed the event with an acoustic musical performance. The New York Observer was the exclusive media sponsor. Special activities included classes with the Boston Ballet's Kathryn Boren and yoga instructor Tara Stiles, graffiti wall art with artist Shantell Martin, and physical activities with Kirk Myers Fitness. Families also experienced interactive games from Disney, created beats with Scratch DJ Academy, and got creative with retailer Skip Hop. Some of New York's favorite restaurants and chefs, including caterer Abigail Kirsh, Michael's Restaurant, Otto Enoteca Pizzeria, Pain D'Avignon, Sofia Wine Bar, Luke's Lobster, the Chester, Grandaisy Bakery and (The Mercer) Kitchen provided event food and refreshments.

About the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF): EGPAF is the global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV/ AIDS, and has reached 20 million women with services to prevent transmission of HIV to their babies. It currently supports more than 7,000 health facilities and works in 15 countries to implement prevention, care, and treatment services; to further advance innovative research; and to execute global advocacy activities that bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide. For more information, visit EGPAF.

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On August 31^st, 2014, the global tire company, Michelin, hosted a groupof 80 Chinese distributor partners and members of the media for a day at Japan’slegendary race circuit, Fuji Speedway. The event took place on the day of theJapan leg of the racing car endurance series, the 2014 Asian Le Mans. Teamsfrom across the world pitched high performance racing cars and world-classdrivers against each other in this contest of skill, stamina and cutting edgeengineering technology.

Michelin’s guests were given the rare privilege of pre-race track access and a “pit walk”of the Oak Team’s pit where team engineers explained various aspects of the carand the race itself, all supported by our tri-lingual (Chinese/Japanese/English)attendants.

In the media lounge, designed and constructed by Empire, we coordinated mediainterviews with the race winning Oak Team, including their star Formula 1driver from China, Ho-Pin TUNG.

By successfully supporting Michelin’s Japanese event for its valued Chinesebusiness and media partners, Empire has once again demonstrated our expertisein cross-border event planning, coordination and hospitality.

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On the eve of the 2014 World Cup Final, Empire produced Sony's Gala Dinner event.

For the evening, Rio de Janiero's port of Pier Maua was transformed with a mixture of classical chandeliers and cutting-edge projection into an ever-changing and breathtaking environment.

World famous chef Matsuhisa Nobu designed a Brazilian-inspired culinary experience and Brazilian superstar Claudia Leitte and Carlos Santana performed and brought down the house.

For more, check out the time lapse.

On Saturday, June 6, Empire collaborated with Colin Cowie Celebrations and the Troy Curtis Group to help produce one of the biggest social events of 2014, a first-class, once-in-a-lifetime Bat Mitzvah at the world-famous Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center.

Family and friends were delighted to watch as the guest of honor beautifully led the Havdalah service, accompanied by a 13-piece orchestra and the Jewish a cappella group, Pella. At the end of the ceremony, guests were mesmerized as a performance by a shadow dance group told the story of the young lady’s life.

As guests exited the theatre to an orchestral arrangement of Pharrell’s smash hit “Happy,” the adults were led to a crystal- and diamond-laden dinner, where the Ikonix band and Pella performed hits from the Four Seasons, Jay-Z and Alicia Keys. Adults dined on the finest oysters and sushi and enjoyed vodka drinks mixed with rose petals. Meanwhile, the children were escorted to a 13-year-old’s fantasyland, with magicians, dancers, and various games and activities. Kids could design their own baseball cap, or get glammed up with eyelash and hair extensions.

At the end of dinner, a performance by a percussion group led all of the guests into the dance party, where DJ Neza was ready to keep the night going.

The dance party was a young girl’s dream come true. In keeping with the pink and diamond motif, the room was full of pink glistening staging, platforms and a catwalk, games, dancers, custom furnishings, and a wall of video screens and ceiling projections mirroring the music played throughout the night.

When it came time for the father-daughter dance, the always classic and delightful Natalie Cole wowed the guests, singing “Unforgettable” as the duo danced beside her.

For one last surprise, DJ RedFoo of LMFAO broke through the backdrop as his party-rock crew dancers covered the staging and catwalk. As the room became a blacklight playground, the guests joined RedFoo onstage as he performed “Party Rock Anthem,” “Sexy and I Know It,” and other hits.

Empire was honored to once again be chosen by Colin Cowie to join his team to create another extraordinary experience.

For the 2nd consecutive year, The Fragrance Foundation selected Empire to produce the Fragrance industry’s premier event - the Fragrance Foundation Awards.

Held at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, the perfect, early Summer evening began with guest arrivals and a cocktail reception in Alice Tully Hall’s outdoor sunken plaza and soaring glass atrium. Amidst a series of artfully printed floral walls, guests mingled and sipped Champagne while arriving VIPs walked the red carpet and posed for the flashing ticket of press photographers in a separate tent on West 65th Street.

Once seated in the theater, the evening’s Host, Saturday Night Live veteran and self-proclaimed Best-Smelling celebrity, Dana Carvey introduced Elizabeth Musmanno, President of the Fragrance Foundation, and Jill Belasco, Chairman of the Fragrance Foundation Board, before kicking off the star-studded award program.

This year’s celebrity presenters included Leigh Lezark, Jacquelyn Jablonski, Chrissy Teigen, Angie Harmon, Marisa Tomei, Kellan Lutz, Leonard Lauder, Hilary Rhoda, Sean Avery, Coco Rocha, Michael C. Hall, Carine Roitfeld, Gwendoline Christie, Mary Alice Stephenson, Lily Donaldson, and Nicolas Mirzayantz.

There were also notable acceptance speeches from Hall of Fame winner and retired Chairman and CEO of Bloomingdales, Michael Gould, as well as Perfumer of the Year winner, International Flavors and Fragrances’ Carlos Benaim.

Singer and songwriter, Judith Hill, graced the audience with a performance of “Hallelujah.” Guests were left in awe of her elegant piano performance and breath-taking voice.

The after party was held in the Alice Tully Hall atrium and outdoor plaza, creating the perfect summer night cocktail experience while DJ Donna D’Cruz spun an intoxicating mix of music.

The Fragrance Foundation Awards brings together virtually every luxury and consumer brand in the fragrance space including Estée Lauder, Ralph Lauren, Tom Ford, Burberry, Giorgio Armani, Tory Burch, Marc Jacobs, Victoria’s Secret, Michael Kors, Givenchy, Elizabeth Arden, LVMH, Dolce & Gabbana, Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, Hermes, Lancome, Zegna, Clinique and Gucci among others.

Empire is a leading producer of events and programs for the luxury brand industry, as well as a leading producer of award shows.

Empire congratulates all of the 2014 Fragrance Foundation Award winners.

Building on the success of the inaugural Fitch Ratings Why? Forum, presented at the New York Public Library in October of 2013, Fitch Ratings held the second installment of this thought leadership event in London. In keeping with Fitch’s exploration of the ‘reasons behind the rating,’ The London Why? Forum focused specifically on Europe’s return to growth and the opportunities and threats that are most likely to impact that trajectory.

The London Why? Forum event took place at the historic Tower of London whereEmpire and Fitch’s design firm, Addison Branding, were tasked with transforming a 12th Century venue into a contemporary and innovative event space. The centuries-old wood columns and ceilings beams were juxtaposed with black leather and chrome and an enormous LED wall, was constructed to serve as a backdrop for the stage.

The program began with welcoming remarks from Fitch Group CEO, Paul Taylor, who laid the groundwork for the evening’s discussion and introduced the evening’s keynote speaker, former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mervyn King. Lord King spoke to an audience comprised of some of the most influential institutional investors, senior officers, bankers and European market participants.

Following an audience Q&A with Lord King, a panel discussion began featuring economist Nouriel Roubini, Managing Director of JP Morgan Asset Management and former Economics Editor of the BBC, Stephanie Flanders and Hearst Corporation’s President and CEO, Steve Swartz. The panel discussion was ably moderated by Fitch Rating’s James McCormack and covered topics ranging from Europe’s recovery, the validity of the Eurozone model, Russia, the Ukraine and the “Pivot to China,” and the growth opportunity in Africa.

At the conclusion of the stage program, the New Armouries courtyard and café were transformed into a reception where guests mingled with program participants and further discussed the evening’s topics.

For this unique program, Empire served as overall producer, helping to secure the keynote speaker and contracting the panelists, handling all technical production, scenic and staging, catering, and guest logistics.

To learn more about this innovative new series, check out the Why? Forum website at www.whyforum.com

Empire is a leading producer of thought leadership forums that provide insight to business decision-makers worldwide.

On June 19, 2014, Empire once again served as producer of the Happy Hearts Fund Gala, which raises awareness and funds for schools in regions affected by natural disasters. This 10th anniversary gala, honoring President Bill Clinton and featuring a performance by Sheryl Crow, commemorated 10 years since the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami of 2004 and celebrated 85 schools already rebuilt.

Departing from the tradition of bringing awareness to a single country, this year’s gala, sponsored by Chopard cast a spotlight on all of the countries who have benefitted from the aid of the Happy Hearts Fund and focused highlighting the HHF mission, which is to rebuild schools and education.

Within the impressive Cipriani 42nd Street venue, over 500 guests enjoyed cocktails and a seated dinner surrounded by school-room décor with chalkboard-inspired screen graphics, neon-colored rulers used as bidding markers and a classroom scene set onstage. The stunning host and founder of the Happy Hearts Fund, Petra Nemcova, even dressed as “Principal Petra” as she addressed supporters in her welcoming remarks.

Heart-shaped floral centerpieces surrounded by “thank you” written in different languages adorned the guests’ dinner tables.Prestigious honorees and speakers included President Bill Clinton (presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award), President Michel J. Martelly of Haiti (presented with the Leadership in Education Award), John Caudwell (presented with the Children’s Champion Award), United Airlines (presented with the Honored Partner Award), and Apl.de.ap and will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas (presented with the Spirit Award).

Guests were also treated to energizing performances of “I’ve Got a Feeling” and “Where is the Love?” by Apl.de.ap, a surprise rendition of “Let It Be Me” (Elvis Presley) by President Martelly of Haiti (who was then joined onstage by another surprise guest - Wyclef Jean - for a one-of-a-kind rendition of “No Woman No Cry”), and Sheryl Crow, who performed four songs including “Soak Up the Sun” and “All I Wanna Do”.

Notable attendees included fashion designer Donna Karan, musician Taboo, singer/songwriter John Legend, actress Naomi Watts, and supermodels Coco Rocha and Arlenis Sosa. Event sponsors included Chopard, Clinique, and United.Rounding out the stage presentation was a lively auction led by renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury of Phillips de Pury & Company, with packages including tickets to the 2014 Victoria Secret Fashion Show, a luxury trip to Ibiza for eight guests, including air travel via private jet and yacht, and the opportunity to attend the Cannes Film Festival while sporting a custom made jewelry piece designed around a 5.12 carat Colombian emerald from Chopard. A highlight of the auction included a fashion show featuring Coco Rocha and Petra Nemcova walking the catwalk.

Between ticket sales and auction packages, the Happy Hearts Fund raised over $2.5 million through which the HHF has reached the goal of raising enough to rebuild 15 more schools which will accomplish their foal of rebuilding 100 schools before the end of 2014.

Working closely with Happy Hearts Fund, Empire served as producer of the gala, managing elements including venue, décor, technical production, performing talent and stage management.To support or learn more about the Happy Hearts Fund, please visit www.happyheartsfund.org.Empire is honored to have been part of such a worthy event and is a leading producer of not-for-profit, for-cause events globally.