Airbnb Launches “Akiya Design Project” in Tokyo with Kiko Mizuhara & Rola
Global hospitality leader Airbnb unveiled the “Akiya DesignProject” in Tokyo—a creative collaboration with Kiko Mizuhara and Rola. The initiative aims to address Japan’s growing vacant house issue while preserving traditional architecture, passing on cultural heritage, and revitalizing local communities.
Set in a 150-year-old former ryotei, the PR event made full use of the historic space to reflect the project’s spirit. Joining Kiko and Rola on stage was Airbnb Co-founder and CEO Brian Chesky, who introduced Airbnb’s newly launched service and shared his personal hopes and vision for the project.
Empire led the overall production of the event, handling venue sourcing, design, direction, and staging.
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
