occasion . Media Matrix had less than 24 hours to transform a college indoor tennis facility into an environment that had the prestige and luster of a 50 th Convocation . This meant the trussing of lights and speakers , construction of a 60-foot stage , room décor , including ETS logos projected throughout the room , 1,500 chairs ... everything down to the carpeting . Creatively , the physical design for the event met the challenge of being entertaining and impressive , yet also elegant and distinctive . Attractive landscaping and “ Hollywood ” style searchlights welcomed the attendees into the realm of recognition for the prestigious occasion .
While the ceremonies themselves featured live addresses by TV commentator Tom Brokaw and Secretary of Education Richard Riley , plus entertainment by the Hightstown H . S . band and the famous Harlem Boys Choir , the event actually involved many more people than this , thanks to technological links with spokespersons , commentators and well-wishers from across the nation . This was accomplished flawlessly through videotape projection courtesy of Media Matrix , who ensured that a diverse blend of individuals such as Philadelphia Mayor Ed Rendell , New Jersey Governor Christie Whitman , basketball star Grant Hill , illusionist David Copperfield , entertainer Kris Kristofferson ( former Rhodes Scholar ), and even Big Bird were on-hand to share their thoughts — captured earlier via videotape — about their own history with ETS . Each presentation flowed smoothly into the next , building the impact of seeing the well-known faces and names congratulate the organization on its achievements . It was exactly the kind of event that ETS has come to expect in working with Media Matrix . As Media Matrix President Michael Olenski explained , “ The people in our organization have worked closely with ETS on a number of live presentations and meetings , and also on many video productions , so this project called upon a blend of our strengths and our experience .”
Of all the videotaped best wishes for the ETS birthday , the sequence that set the tone for the entire event was a presentation by Vice President Al Gore , whose comments emphasized the role that ETS can play in maximizing the standards for education . Gore ' s presentation was the obvious way to go , and the result was a succinct and high-impact presentation that reminded the attendees of how significant this milestone event truly was . In addition , the video presentation — like many other elements in the two-hour celebration — delivered another key message : The capabilities and the history of the ETS organization are recognized on a variety of levels ... and the 50 th anniversary marks a significant milestone in the science of testing , teaching and learning . The impact on the audience was considerable — and Media Matrix , therefore , helped play a key role in an event that showed , as Vice President Gore himself put it in his video presentation , “ At 50 , the ( ETS ) work has just begun .”
Media Matrix is a Horsham , PA-based communications company involved in the production and staging of business meetings , webcasts and teleconferences ; interactive multi-media development ; videotape production and print collateral design .