Shopify Founder's Day: The Story Behind the Conference

Shopify +
sparks

Bringing Together the Best Minds in Commerce

Shopify planned its inaugural Founder’s Day event to connect Shopify leadership with portfolio founders in an effort to spark ideas and build the foundation for a Shopify community that embraces collaboration and co-elevation.

This exclusive one-day event brought the best minds in commerce together at the Verizon Center, part of the Cornell Tech Campus on Roosevelt Island, for an intimate day of general sessions, one-on-one meetings, and an Ask Me Anything session with Shopify’s CEO & Co-founder, Tobi Lütke.

SERVICES

Event production
Strategy & measurement
Creative strategy & design
Content design & production
Fabrication & logistics

Due to the VIP attendees and white-glove nature of the event, quality needed to be exceptionally high.

Roosevelt Island, a unique location that even many New Yorkers have never visited, was chosen as the event venue because it provided the opportunity to house virtually all activities on-site between the eclectic Graduate Hotel and the brand-new Verizon Center at Cornell Tech, creating a sense of intimacy and privacy while offering convenience and spectacular views of Manhattan.

In the content space, a projection screen was anchored with a large angled, custom scenic backdrop for a more casual presentation experience. This objective was further helped by forgoing a traditional stage in favor of a simple area rug and comfortable seating. Audience seating was broken up into mixed lounge vignettes to invite and facilitate conversations.

While using the branding as inspiration, one of the most exciting and transformative features of the room were two large window clings made of dichroic material. Since the material is translucent and iridescent, a wide range of beautiful colors casted into the room for an elevated and dynamic experience. Additionally, key brand moments were layered throughout via signage, decor pieces, and live greenery.

The off-site dining experience was held at Michael Solomonov’s Laser Wolf, the hottest new restaurant on the roof of the Hoxton Hotel in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, making this portion of the event all the more memorable. To top the night off and keep the energy going, an after party DJed by Hesta Prynn at the Panorama Room rooftop bar and lounge boasted breathtaking 360-degree views of NYC.