IGNIGHT WASHIGTON,DC 2024

Project: IgNight: the Spark When Science, Creativity, and Technology Converge 2024

Location: Washington, DC

Clients: Answer ALS

EVENT BACKGROUND: On May 23, 2024, Washington, D.C. played host to "IgNight: The Spark When Science, Creativity, and Technology Converge," an event organized by Answer ALS. The central theme revolved around the supporting role of emerging technologies in disease discovery. Attendees had the privilege of hearing from various remarkable speakers, notably including a reading from Steve Gleason's latest book, "A Life Impossible." The event proudly supported Answer ALS's mission to establish a comprehensive ALS data foundation, aiming to identify the causes, subtypes, and potential drug targets for the disease.

Speakers included: Fred Humphries, Corporate Vice President at Microsoft, Danielle Carnival, Deputy Director for Health Outcomes at the White House Office of Science and Technology Police, Farhad Imam, M.D., Ph.D., Director at Gates Ventures, Jeffrey Rothstein, M.D., Ph.D., Director at the Robert Packard Center for ALS Research at Johns Hopkins, and Klaus Romero, M.D., M.S., FCP, CEO of the Critical Path Institute, Milan Karol from the Carnegie Institution for Science. Performances by singer & songwriter Torrey B and spoken word artist Ephraim Nehemiah.

EXECUTION: Beese took on the role of Creative Event Producer, working alongside Clare Durrett. This was the first event in a series hosted in various cities, with the debut held at Union Station in Washington, DC. Beese handled everything from concept to site layout and production designs. Responsibilities included stage design, venue experience, space planning, and event flow, including vendor selection and overall management. He built and led a content creation team, that was responsible for the screen content and lighting scenarios during the entire event.