Dartmouth’s The Call to Lead Capital Campaign Celebration Events
Following thesuccessful spring launch events produced by Empire in New York & SanFrancisco for Dartmouth College’s $3 billion capital campaign, The Call toLead, Dartmouth’s leadership once again turned to Empire as their creative andproduction partner for a multi-city tour to expand the campaign’s reach and to promoteits vision, impact, and progress.
These regional events,focusing on both campaign impact and Dartmouth’s 250th anniversary,are meant to re-ignite ties between Dartmouth’s alumni and their alma mater andto further promote Dartmouth’s strategic priorities locally, nationally, andaround the world. The first four stops on the tour—in the fall of 2018—wereStamford, CT, Chicago, Boston and Seattle.
Each eventfollowed a similar format, with adaptations and localizations for each city. Uponarrival, guests were met with a Dartmouth-themed exterior presence and live musicexperience. Guests registered at branded, wooden “Call to Lead” check-in desksand then entered a theater space to enjoy a program. Décor included woodenchairs dressed with Dartmouth green cushions and hung with individual college pennants.The program began with a viewing of the “Marchof Time” video counting down the 249 years of Dartmouth’s history. Speakersincluded Chair of the Dartmouth Board of Trustees Laurel Richie and DartmouthCollege President Philip J. Hanlon, who delivered updates on the campaign andgift announcements that were customized for each location. Each program also featuredtwo student-faculty pairs of presenters who highlighted the experientiallearning and collaborations that help define the Dartmouth experience.
At the finalé of the stage program, a musical performance led to a reveal of a Dartmouth-themedreception. This featured replicas of major Dartmouth landmarks surrounded by abackdrop of the New Hampshire forest custom printed in high-definition on scenicdrape. Custom scenic pieces representing Dartmouth Hall, Baker Tower and othercampus landmarks filled the space, which also included intimate areas forcurated conversations. A focal point of the reception space was a giant, free-standingbar inspired by the iconic Moosilauke Ravine Lodge. This centerpiece featured acanoe bar back and wooden roof with panoramic screens displaying highdefinition campus imagery through each of the four seasons. Each receptionfeatured a trio of live musicians providing background music and an interactivephoto-booth.
Empire workedclosely with several Dartmouth departments, students, faculty, alumni, and volunteers,as well as many creative, communications, production, and events partners toplan and execute the events. Empire’s role included concept development,messaging, venue acquisition, budgeting, registration, scripting, screen contentproduction, technical production, catering, permitting, security, scenic,décor, staffing, and guest logistics & experience.
The Call toLead aspires to raise $3 billion overall to realize three overarching goals:advancing Dartmouth’s distinctive educational model to its fullest potential;making discoveries that improve the human condition; and preparing students forlives of wise leadership. To date, more than 81,600 donors have committed atotal of $1.84 billion to the campaign through gifts of all sizes.
Dartmouth will present multiple regionalcampaign and 250th anniversary celebrations through November 2019.
Empire is aleading producer of high-level events, both on and off campus, for Ivy Leagueschools and many of the world’s leading educational institutions.
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.
Empire is proud to collaborate with Microsoft on this annual, top-tier business communication event.
To view excerpts of Connect(); 2017, please visit https://www.microsoft.com/connectevent
