On April 11, 2019, The Franklin Institute hosted an awards ceremony and dinner at the museum. The annual black tie gala celebrates the most talented scientists, engineers, inventors, and innovators from across the globe. The evening began with cocktails under the 20-foot-high marble statue of Benjamin Franklin. Guests enjoyed a full bar, hors d'oeuvres, and a program where the recipients of the 2019 Franklin Institute Awards were honored, bestowing six Benjamin Franklin Medals to them for transformative advances and global breakthroughs in science and technology, and two Bower Awards—one for extraordinary business leadership, and another for achievement in science. Following the ceremony, guests enjoyed a seated dinner in the museum gallery, followed by a dessert reception, live music, and cordials to end the evening.