@ross Summer Series in East Hampton, NY
When the Ross School, one of Empire's long-standing clients, was looking for a unique way to raise substantial monies for their Scholarship Fund, they turned to Empire Entertainment to produce an original-concept event series, which would peak the interest of their local community.Building off of the momentum of 2007's ultra-elite Hampton SOCIAL concert series, which brought Prince, Billy Joel, & Tom Petty among others to the small campus for a private audience, Empire prepared and Ross School announced a follow-up concert series featuring two of the biggest and most diverse names in music. However in 2008, unlike 2007, the events would directly benefit Ross School Programs and Scholarships.
The series was entitled @ross Summer 2008 and encompassed two major events in the month of August, 2008: THE JONAS BROTHERS@ROSS & ARETHA FRANKLIN@ROSS.Over 700 guests including host Kelly Ripa of television's Regis & Kelly attended the sold out Jonas Brothers event held on the majestic grounds of the Ross Upper School campus in East Hampton, NY. Kelly participated in the onstage raffle of 3 Gibson Guitars, signed by the Jonas Brothers, and then introduced the trio to their screaming fans. While the sought-after teen idols played a roster of their hits, the audience was treated a delicious outdoor BBQ prepared by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. The Aretha Franklin event kicked off with an elegant dinner gala also presented by Danny Meyer's Union Square Hospitality Group. Following dessert, the Queen of Soul appeared onstage, performing an impressive roster of her greatest hits. Guests danced the night away to Natural Woman, Respect, Mack the Knife, and Freeway.
Distinguished guests such as Christie Brinkley, Rosie Perez, and, Abigail Breslin were also in attendance, showing their support for this worthy institution.Located in East Hampton and Bridgehampton, New York, Ross School was founded in 1991 by Courtney and Steven J. Ross, and focuses on cultivating a global perspective and embracing technology. Their scholarship programs, in place since the school's inception, provide financial aid for over forty percent of the School's 560 students, allowing them to contribute to the rich fabric of the Ross School community. These programs also enable Ross to continue its commitment to offering the highest quality education to the broadest range of students, regardless of financial circumstances. Over 33% of all Ross graduates are the first in their families to attend college. In addition to conceiving, managing, and producing @ross Summer 2008, Empire also contracted and arranged travel and accommodations for The Jonas Brothers and Aretha Franklin, as well as all of the logistical and technical aspects of the concert.
Empire Entertainment is a leading producer of not for profit events in the U.S. and around the world.
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.
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