In October 2015, for the third consecutive year, Empireproduced the Lowline Anti-Gala to help raise funds surrounding the project’sgoal to create the world’s first underground park in New York City’s historicLower East Side.

Upon its completion, the Lowline will completely transforman abandoned trolley terminal below Manhattan’s Delancey Street into a fullyfunctioning, public green space. Through next-generation solar technology, theLowline plans to redirect natural sunlight underground to enablephotosynthesis, thus creating and sustaining plant life under the bustling streetsof New York.

This year’s Anti-Gala, the organization’s annual fundraisingevent, came on the heels of the major opening of the project’s newestdevelopment; the Lowline Lab. Funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign thatraised over $200,000 from thousands of donors, the Lab operates as a workingprototype and technological showcase that is open to the public until March2016. There, guests can learn about the innovative technology that will light theLowline, and get a glimpse of what it will feel like to be within anunderground oasis.

To celebrate the Lowline Lab’s inaugural weekend, Empire workedclosely with them to conceptualize a ‘Building the Lowline’ construction theme,taking place inside the historic Angel Orensanz synagogue. This was completewith “construction workers” dressed as if on a job site, using flashlights tocheck out the area and directing guests as if on an actual construction site.The menu was handcrafted in the style of a construction worker’s diet, with guests noshing onpotato samosas, kebabs, hot dogs and even pigeon cooked “under a brick”created by Chef Gabrielle Hamilton and Neuman’s Catering. Furthermore, thecenterpieces were made out of cinderblocks and bars were constructed with herb garden-covered palettes used for specialty cocktails.

Throughout the evening, remarks were delivered by co-foundersDaniel Barasch and James Ramsey; while Lowline supporters Josh Sirefman and NewYork State Senator Daniel Squadron introduced this year’s honorees,Councilwomen Margaret Chin, and Board Chair, David Barry.

Notable attendees at this year’s gala included artist TomSachs, filmmakers Spike Jonze, Megan Ellison and actresses Laura Prepon andRose McGowan. To close out the evening, renowned DJ duo The Misshapes took tothe stage to spin a great mix of music that kept everyone around for a livelyafterglow.

Empire is proud to serve as the Lowline’s producers for theirannual event, creating a custom-themed event to reflect the organization’svision of creating the world’s first underground park.

To learn more about the Lowline, visit www.thelowline.org.

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In our first collaboration with Chicago-based ContextMedia, Empire produced a very successful and high-energy cocktail reception at the newly opened One World Trade Center, the tallest building in the Western hemisphere. With soaring panoramic views of New York City, guests mingled and danced while engaging with ContextMedia’s technology platforms throughout the space. We effectively utilized a panoramic-shaped venue to keep guests involved in every part of the space and turned an average Wednesday night into a bumping dance party.

ContextMedia is a health information services company, building digital media technologies to deliver lifestyle education to patients to improve health outcomes. The company empowers healthcare professionals to engage patients while curating content personalized for each member office. It is the fastest growing company in the industry impacting over ten million patient visits each month.

This event was meant to engage their New York City-based clients and introduce them to ContextMedia’s technologies in a fun and accessible setting. Upon reaching the 102^nd floor, guests were welcomed with themed cocktails, buffet-style stations and impressive and creative hors d’oeuvres.

As guests entered the room, they were greeted with an interactive wall of screens. Built specifically for this event, the wall allowed guests to see the technology first hand and customize their experience. Smaller interactive screens were also placed throughout the space to allow guests to engage with the product.

Entertainment began with DJ Irie getting everyone out on the dance floor and the event really hit its stride when Questlove took the stage. He is best known as the drummer and front-man for the Grammy-winning band The Roots, the in-house band for The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. He has produced for artists including Elvis Costello, Common, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Bilal, Jay-Z, Nikka Costa, Al Green and John Legend.

The photo booth was also a big hit throughout the night as guests incorporated our fun props and costume pieces into their pictures.

Empire is proud to produce conferences and events for some of the world's leading healthcare and technology companies.

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After receivingfive standing ovations in five shows, enra has closed the curtain on asuccessful first US Tour. With five unique venues in five cities, five publicperformances, and five unique audiences, enra earned glowing reviews for theperformances and received numerous invitations to return. Presenters andaudiences alike praised enra, and American audiences in Birmingham,Memphis, Knoxville, Durango, and Detroit roseto their feet to shower the group with applause.

Monthsof careful preparation went in to producing enra’s longest tour to date. Fromsecuring visas and tax documents for the group members with an eye for futureprojects, detailed advance planning, to arranging expert in-personmanagement on the ground, Empire was there at every stage to ensure that thetour would not only go smoothly but also be a success for everyoneinvolved.

enra’smembers received a warm welcome everywhere they went and performed inbeautiful venues. "That was amazing!" was the general reaction from enthusiastic crowds. The tour also included three separate educationalevents for local students who were thrilled have a rare chance to learn fromenra’s multi-talented expertise.

Markedby its financial success, technical perfection, resourceful management, andthrillingly positive audience response, the tour was a total victory for enraand for Empire. We extend our deepest thanks to the supporters of enra andeveryone that made it possible.

On Saturday, October 17, 2015, Empire produced About.com’s Expert Conference for the third consecutive year at the IAC Building in NYC.

The conference gathers together hundreds of About.com’s experts - - the writers who deliver the content on the site, on topics ranging from travel, health, and tech, to sandwiches, etiquette, and women’s hairstyles. The site is visited each month by approximately 90 million users.

CEO Neil Vogel impressed the experts once again with his no-nonsense, cut-to-the-chase manner of addressing all issues head-on. External speakers this year included Joy Bauer, nutrition expert for the Today show, and Brian Stelter, Senior Media Correspondent for CNN. Presenters made good use of the fantastic, and enormous high-resolution video wall at the IAC Building (120’ Wide x 11’ High), including powerful and eye-catching content throughout the day.

Following several presentations in the main theater area, guests then broke into three separate groups for more intimate and interactive breakout sessions. Attendees also enjoyed breakfast and lunch breaks catered by Abigail Kirsch.

Empire managed all aspects of the About.com conference, providing stage management, registration, TPA procurement, technical direction, catering management, décor, and more. Empire is proud to produce business conferences for some of the world's leading technology companies.

Every five years, this cutting-edge company hosts a multi-day event that includes a major product andinnovation exhibition at the Jacob Javits Center, keynote remarksfrom its worldwide Chairman & CEO, and a gala dinner for over 1,000 of itstop customers and business partners at the New York Marriott Marquis in the heart of Times Square.

This year, Empire was challenged to create a Gala evening based on the client's theme of new impossible innovations and to produce the keynote session justhours earlier in the Broadway Ballroom of the New York Marriott Marquis.

Empire’s solution, developedover the course of many months of collaboration, was to create an evening that fused performances andsurround projection technology to take the audience on an impossible journey: travelingthrough time to experience Times Square in the past, present and future. Eachera would be represented with a live performance segment that reflected itsculture, music, imagery, energy and technology.

Following the afternoon’sflawless keynote address by the company's Chairman & CEO, Empirequickly transformed the ballroom into an elegant gala environment, surroundingthe room with over 300 feet of HD projection surfaces and replacing the theaterseating with black dining tables adorned with a red glass cubes.

Following a welcome by host andemcee James Donahower, he introduced the concept of time travel through Times Square. Asurround projection environment of an animated Times Square of the 1920s, completewith sound effects, was dramatically revealed to the audience.

Then, as jazz music began toplay, a spotlight illuminated a single point on stage as a female jazzsaxophone player, Chelsea Baratz, soloed the sounds of Summertime as the billboards slowly flickeredaround her. Next the music shifted to anupbeat rendition of the Charleston and a cast of 1920s-attired flappers enteredto dance the steps of the jazz age. As the performance built in energy, thedynamic tap dance duo of Grimes & Fleming performed their fast-movingtandem tap routine as a finalé of film footage of dancers andwater fountains was projected on all screens. At the end of the1920s/1930s performance and as guests enjoyed their dinner, the animated skyscape of Times Square returned to thescreens and slowly evolved to 1950s to a soundtrack from those years.

After dinner, the emcee returned to set up thenext segment, highlighting some of the major technological and cultural changesof the 1950s and 1960s. As he finished his remarks, the sounds of the Drifter’s1964 hit Under the Boardwalk beganto play as doo wop a capella group the Tee Tones appeared on stage. Next up thescreens shifted to reflect the Broadway show marquees of the time as vocalistsand a cast of costumed dancers entered to perform selections from Pippin (Magic To Do) and Hair: the Musical (Age of Aquarius) as the screens projectedanimations of the 1960s Flower Power movement. In the finale for thissegment, a solo vocalist performed Louis Armstrong’s What a Wonderful World as the Times Square screens recreated thelive broadcast of the first manned lunar landing.

Following dessert service, the emcee took thestage one final time, setting up the Times Square of the future. Thisperformance began with vocalist Kelly Levesque singing an original compositionentitled Future Mood surrounded byan HD projection of the earthrise from space. Next up, violinist Sarina Sunoperformed a fast-paced classical electronica piece as the animated screencontent reacted to the sounds of her LED-lit, electronic violin. As a fittingconclusion to the evening, Levesque took the stage again to perform Love Can Move Mountains and Reach. This time, Kelly wore a floor-length gown covered with hundreds of mirror tiles as she was lit by a seriesof carefully placed lasers in a hazed room, creating the effect of a halo oflaser beams in all directions. Many of the audience members reached for theirphones to photograph the spectacular finalé.

The client was delighted with the outcome ofthe evening, and this original production entertained this highly critical audience.

To create this one-of-a-kind, once-in-a-lifetimejourney through performance, Empire worked with a wide variety of creative,scenic, talent, music and technical partners that included LIVE LAB and manyothers.

Empire is one of the world’s leading creatorsand producers of original live media and events on behalf of leading corporation andbrands.

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When one of the world's leading insurance companies hosted an incentive program in Crete in September 2015, they planned a fantastic evening outdoors, themed around the feel-good movie "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" and they came to Empire for the entertainment that would fit the theme. While ABBA has been defunct for decades, Empire recommended and contracted the next best thing: Bjorn Again, the ABBA tribute band. Dressed head-to-toe in costuming that helped define the original band, the group had the attendees on their feet performing classics such as "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo". On a raised stage with the Mediterranean Sea and the stars as their backdrop, the band was a highlight of a fantastic event.

Empire is proud to consistently be able to recommend entertainers who fit our clients' event themes, as well as their budgets, and to have presented headline performers in over 40 countries around the globe.

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​Empire produced a business conference and farewell dinner for over 500 guests for a leading Japanese healthcare company in Dubai. The company was visiting Dubai to hold an incentive tour for top sales employees over a period of several days. Guests had a chance to enjoy a wide range of activities including a deep look into the local Arabian culture with camel tours into the desert.

Empire worked closely with a local agency to make this event happen over a two day period. During the first day a business conference was held where next year’s goals were announced and action plans for the upcoming year were laid down. The challenge was that the venue needed to be transformed from a business conference venue to a gorgeous farewell dinner venue in just one day. A larger stage and extravagant light fixtures needed to be placed with all settings from the previous night readjusted to a party atmosphere.

The farewell party included a dance performance, where company staff members reenacted a popular performance of the popular Japanese vocal group Exile on stage. The Empire team put together a full lighting system which transformed the venue into a concert hall bringing everyone to their feet. We also produced a fashion show as part of the evening festivities, which had over 20 models, once again done by company employees.

Empire’s success in Dubai showcased yet again our ability to produce the highest quality events anywhere in the world.

With the 75^th Anniversary of the brand rightaround the corner, Coach wanted to showcase their first runway collection forNew York SS16 Fashion week in an impactful and memorable way.

Empire was engaged by Coach and KCD Worldwide, the leadingfashion public relations and production agency, to lend expertise inpermitting, labor & union relations, and site-specific logistical planningand management. Empire and KCD worked in close collaboration with Coach overseveral months to select and secure the site, design a plan and make theproduction a reality.

The decision was made to bring the show home – to the futuresite of the new Coach headquarters currently being built at 30th Street and 11th Avenue in the new Hudson Yards development. A large, openconcrete rooftop, located adjacent to the High Line and just a short walk fromthe new Coach tower, proved to be the ideal location to build an event spacethat would impress audiences and blend seamlessly into the natural beauty ofthe High Line.

Construction, tenting, scenic and technical teams workednon-stop for almost a month to construct a beautiful two-story glass box tent. The Friends of the Highline andthe NYC Parks Department granted Coach permission to use the High Line as aguest entryway and a one-of-a kind, one-day only bridge was built to facilitatedirect access to the tent from the High Line.

Empire also worked to develop a unique guest entry plan. A nearbylot was transformed into a Coach-branded drop off point where high-profileattendees were chauffeuredto the show in special Coach taxis. Guests strolled along the High Line andtook in the view of the enormous glass tent in the Fall afternoon sun. After making their way inside, guests weregreeted with scenic elements designed by Stefan Beckman to bring the windswept Americanprairie feel of the High Line indoors. Guests walked over the mirrored runway and took their seats on amulti-level wooden polygon bleacher built into the center of the tent,surrounding by planters and greenery that perfectly matched the look and feelof the High Line.

Over 500 guests attended the nine minute long show includingAnna Wintour, Chloe Grace Moretz, Mariel Hemingway, and numerous fashion buyers,members of the media and tastemakers and celebrities from around the world. The collection, largely centered onmulti-colored floral patchwork dresses inspired by designer Stuart Veversvision of a wardrobe for “a magpie girl who goes onroad trips, picking up Western things, but who also might steal from hergranny’s closet on the Upper East Side". Nearly 40 models showcased almost 50 different looks styledby Karl Templer to a soundtrack DJ’d live by Steve Mackey.

Voguecalled the Coach show one of the New York Fashion Week’s best shows.

The completeshow can be viewed at: http://www.coach.com/shop/womens-spring-2016

​Looking to have the Season 2 premiere of the hit TV show EMPIRE match the energy and grandeur of its enormous fan base, FOX knew the event needed to take place in New York City.

The renowned Carnegie Hall was perfect venue for the premiere, lending a juxtaposition between the elegant and classic musical landmark and the current pop culture and hip hop theme of the show.

Because of the enormous popularity of the show, a 100’ long press wall, tent, and gold carpet were installed on 7th Avenue, allowing the large cast their own moments to shine. The carpet was well-attended, with appearances by show creator Lee Daniels, and cast members including Terrence Howard, Taraji P. Henson, Trai Byers, Jussie Smollett, and Gabourey Sidibe, as well as other celebs including Mariah Carey, Rosie O’Donnell, Gail King, and Naomi Campbell.

Following the carpet, 2,500 lucky fans enjoyed an advanced screening of the highly-anticipated first episode of Season 2 followed by a live Q&A session with all of the cast. Rounding out the stage presentation were energetic performances by cast members Jussie Smollett (Jamal Lyon), Bryshere Gray (Hakeem Lyon), and Serayah (Tiana Brown). Fans at home were able to watch a live broadcast of both the Q&A and performances.

After the screening, 450 guests including cast, FOX executives, and sponsors from Lincoln and Pepsi moved upstairs to the recently opened Weill Terrace Room to celebrate the success of another season. Located on the 9th and 10th floors of Carnegie Hall, the after party offered sweeping views of midtown New York, which guests enjoyed while lounging on furniture designed to recreate an elegant yet homey living room. A warm gray and neutral palette was accented by candles and florals in deep greens, creams, and browns.

Heard over the excited chatter, DJ Natasha Diggs got the crowd dancing on the 10th Floor while a playlist curated by Lee Daniels kept the party going on the 9th Floor. Comfort food and cocktails were provided by Stephen STARR Catering and was rounded out with birthday cake for Taraji P. Henson.

Empire is honored to continue our long-standing working relationship with the FOX Broadcasting team and look forward to supporting more upcoming events.

On September 17, 2015, Empire was honored to serve as theproducers of the star-studded, 14^th annual Samsung Hope for ChildrenGala, which took place within the Grand Ballroom and the Hammerstein Ballroomat the Manhattan Center in New York City. The Hope for Children Gala is Samsung’s principal cause-marketingevent dedicated to supporting children’s health, education, and sustainability.

The evening kicked off with a star-studded blue carpet, packedwith celebrities and athletes including Demi Lovato, Mark Messier, TaraLipinski, Tony Bennett, Henrick Lundqvist, Katrina Bowden, Dascha Polanco, JimGaffigan, and Meredith Viera.

Once inside, the 700 guests were invited to enjoy a cocktailreception in the Grand Ballroom, which featured interactive elements for theguests to enjoy, along with a large-scale orchid chandelier display over acenter bar. Following cocktails,guests were invited into the Manhattan Center for dinner. On their way in, theywere treated to another impressive floral display featuring thousands of callalilies blanketing the ceiling

The seated dinner program featured many participants andperformers including emcee, Josh Lucas, Students from Exploringthe Arts Frank Sinatra School inBrooklyn, The Roots, Rob Thomas, Ingrid Michaelson, Boomer Esiason, NickCannon, Demi Lovato, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics North America,Gregory Lee, and President & COO of Samsung Electronics America, Timothy Baxter.The centerpiece of the evening’s program was Ben Stiller presenting Samsung’sChampion of Hope Award to Brad Pitt and the Make it Right Foundation for theirwork rebuilding New Orleans' Lower 9^th Ward after hurricaneKatrina.

While the Gala took place downstairs, for the first timeever, Samsung invited Galaxy Owners to attend a pre-reception in the GrandBallroom, where they interacted with the latest Galaxy devices and had thechance to win a variety of prizes. Guests enjoyed refreshments, music curatedby DJ Nick Cannon and anexclusive live performance by electro-pop duoIcona Pop that was broadcast live to YouTube via the GalaxyNote5. Following the pre-reception, consumers joined Gala guests in theHammerstein Ballroom for Demi Lovato’s memorableperformance.

The Samsung Hope for Children Gala raised a record $2 million. This included over $80,000 from the Silent Auction,Text to Donate, Blue Box Raffle and Charity Buzz. Charity Partners included the Boomer Esiason Foundation, Christopher& Dana Reeve Foundation, Exploring the Arts, Make It Right, Many Hopes, OnlyMake Believe, Sidewalk Angels, Staten Island Museum Foundation, StillerFoundation, and the United States Olympic Committee.

Empire was proud to work closely with the Samsung team todeliver a flawless evening for such a worthy cause. To learn more aboutSamsung’s Hope for Children visit http://www.samsung.com/us/hopeforchildren/

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