Merijn Tinga His surfboard is a weapon. His target: politicians and company ceo's. The goal: real change! To be booked as/for Languages Tags Speaker Dutch, English Plastic Pollution, Storytelling, Surfing Expedition, Plastic Recycling, Littering, Societal Change, Political Change Biography Topics Testimonials Pictures Get a quote Biography In 2014, Merijn constructed a surfboard using washed-up plastics and surfed along the Dutch coast, earning him the nickname "Plastic Soup Surfer." Sadly, mere awareness is insufficient for catalyzing change. Consequently, he shifted his campaign focus towards policy makers and companies. To date, Merijn's campaigns and expeditions have influenced political resolutions and led to product bans, demonstrating the impact of individual action. Alongside an expanding community of passionate individuals, he persists in achieving tangible results and effecting change. Merijn shares his story to inspire and educate others on how they too can contribute to making a difference. Topics Sports How to make a difference? Lees verder Plastic pollution is a worldwide epidemic. By now we are aware of this but how does real change come about? More Testimonials Sessions Pictures you can use to promote your event Get a quote Request a Quote Keynote of my preference submit Pictures Quot Anchor 3

< back Crossing Borders What can your organisation learn from other industries & other surprising sources? More detailed information Our society faces many major challenges. Many of them are complex, also called 'wicked problems'. To solve them, cross-over cooperation between silos and sectors is crucial. Designing these collaborations and finding new solutions needs a new discipline: cross-industry innovation . During this entertaining and inspiring presentation, you will explore a simple process & concrete tools to 'translate' solutions from different industries & other surprising resources to your own business . Cyriel will boost your skills to broaden your perspective and give you tips and tools to use out-of-the-ordinary resources to discover new ideas. Request a quote Submit About For more than 20 years, Cyriel Kortleven has been inspiring organisations like IKEA, NASA and Unilever to approach Change with courage, confidence and enthusiasm. His pragmatic advice has earned him the nickname The Simplifier. In an increasingly complex world, we need new simple perspectives to enable us to navigate uncertainty and to turn problems into opportunities. Be ready for practical tips & tools to help you as a leader drive behavioural change. Your audience will be armed with new language and a boost of energy to transform the fear of change into a positive attitude towards the goals you want to achieve. Cyriel uses interaction and humour to create a context where people think and feel differently to reignite their appetite for creativity, taking risks and achieving ambitious results. More than 300 recommendations on Linkedin are proof of his track record of satisfied clients. Don’t mind the change. Change your Mind. Cyriel Kortleven Boosting the Change Mindset and Simplifier

< back Body Detox Healthy Online Teambuilding! Cook together! Learn what you can do to reset your body after the end of year festivities. More detailed information During this very practical (online) workshop , Goedele will explain to you how to detox your body ànd how to prepare some detoxing meals and juices together with you! You will eliminate waste (which means you will lose weight) You will improve your vitality and energy Your head will clear up You will become more conscious about your bad eating habits and negative thought patterns that often go with this. Possibility to deliver a box with ingredients to your collaborators a day in advance. Ask for a customized quotation! Request a quote Submit About Goedele Leyssen worked for 12 years as a journalist. An opportunity to go to India for a story about yoga and meditation changed the course of her life. Back home, she followed a training to become a yoga and meditation teacher. Because Goedele strongly believes in a holistic approach of health and wellbeing, she also trained as a nutritionist. Between 2014 and 2019, she wrote 4 healthy lifestyle books and started to give keynotes and facilitate workshops. Together with a US naturopathic doctor, she launched an online anti-burnout coaching program for high performing professionals. Goedele believes self-care is the foundation for long lasting success and happiness in life. Her greatest joy is helping people build rituals for more resilience and deep inner peace. Goedele Leyssen 4 x author, speaker, yoga and meditation trainer, holistic nutritionist and self-care expert

< back The Future Formula In search of the rules of tomorrow. More detailed information We live in the Great Disequilibrium, an era marked by radical transformations that are no longer a choice but a necessity due to external pressure. In "The Future Formula," Jo Caudron discusses the key challenges and changes facing modern society and economy. The 'Old Normal', which emerged after World War II, is nearing its end. We are confronted with urgent issues such as climate change, migration, technological and societal disruptions, and sudden system shocks such as pandemics, wars, and the rapid rise of AI. The welfare state as we know it is under pressure. These factors force us to think about new rules for the future: we must reevaluate our vision of the planet, sustainability, economy, and society. In this presentation, Jo offers his 'Future Formula', a method for companies and organizations to identify challenges and map out the problems ahead. He explores how various radical innovations in the field of products, sourcing, and especially business models can contribute to sustainable solutions for a better society and economy. Request a quote Submit About Jo Caudron is a renowned keynote speaker and author with a digital career spanning almost 30 years. His mantra is: “a strong vision of the future is the ‘why’ of change”. As the founder of Belgium's first digital agency, Jo has a rich history as a digital entrepreneur. He created over 2 dozen companies, all active in technology, innovation and transformation. Jo is a transformation strategist, passionate about navigating the impact of technological and societal disruptions. Through his company Scopernia, he has been assisting organizations in all sectors throughout Europe and the Middle-East in understanding how their world is changing and how they can adapt their core business to be ready for the future.. Jo is the author of six books covering diverse transformational topics. In his book, "The World Is Round," he delves into the significant technological and societal challenges facing our world. Many of the scenarios he describes have already come to fruition due to the Corona crisis, climate disasters, and shifting geopolitical landscape. His latest book, “De Toekomstformule” (The Future Formula), is a comprehensive exploration of the rapid societal, technological, and economic changes and system shocks the world is facing today. The book serves as a blend of a catalog of global trends, personal insights, and a practical framework for envisioning the future. It presents a method to map out the most significant disruptions of tomorrow, and offers a model for finding solutions through sustainable innovation. Jo's true passion lies in engaging with people and inspiring them with his message of change and optimism. As a keynote speaker, he has shared his insights on hundreds of stages across Europe. Jo is happily married, has 2 children and 5 cats, and is an avid music enthusiast with a soft spot for complex progmetal. Jo Caudron Digital pioneer with a passion for transformation and strategy. Author, advisor and speaker.

Anchor 1 Home: Welcome KEYNOTE SPEAKERS Discover our exceptional lineup of keynote speakers who inspire, inform, and ignite change for your next event. To all speakers > HOSTS & MODERATORS Explore our talented hosts & moderators who bring charisma and facilitation to elevate your events to new heights. To hosts & moderators > TEAMBUILDINGS Embark on transformative team-building experiences to strengthen bonds, foster collaboration, and achieve shared goals. To our teambuildings > OTHER SERVICES Go further with our workshops, training sessions, and consulting services, designed to drive excellence. Read More > Speakers in the picture Ann De Bisschop Marnick Vandebroek Rik Vera Orianne Aymard All Speakers > Most popular keynote topics Artificial Intelligence Change Future & Trends Resilience & Well-being Sustainability & CSR All topics Welcome to the premier agency for keynotes, hosting, moderation, workshops, training, and consultancy services. At our agency, we take pride in: ​ A Diverse and Curated Portfolio : Featuring thought leaders of today and tomorrow, ensuring a broad range of perspectives and expertise for your event or organization. Personalized Approach : We always strive for the perfect match between speaker and client, understanding the unique needs of companies and organizations. Swift Responses : Expect a proposal within 24 hours, because we value your time and aim for efficiency in our services. Contact Us Keynotes in the picture How to make a difference? By Merijn Tinga Plastic pollution is a worldwide epidemic. By now we are aware of this but how does real change come about? Read more The AI-Human Co-Creation Workflow By Fiona Passantino Understanding AI and augmenting the Human for non-technical professional teams Read more A Learning Mindset in the Age of Innovation By Katja Schipperheijn Unleash potential with a learning mindset supported by emerging innovations Read more Change Hacking By Florence Pérès Embrace change and challenges in the workplace Read more All Keynotes > Latest Blogposts Record number of employees suffer from physical and mental complaints 18 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 Three simple principles to increase the chance of success in your change projects 22 0 1 like. Post not marked as liked 1 3 tips for dealing with meeting madness 19 0 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 New Foundations for a Future-Proof Organisation: 4 elements to survive in a changing world 18 0 2 likes. Post not marked as liked 2 Some of our Clients Testimonials > Contact Get in Touch Submit Florence Pérès Managing Partner & keynote speaker florence@speakersbase.com Anja Cappelle Managing Partner & keynote speaker anja@speakersbase.com Please, drop us an email or fill out this form. We will contact you ASAP. Talk to you soon! If you would like to join our team of speakers and moderators, we kindly ask you to fill out this form .

< back Thriving Amidst Turbulence Navigating Constant Change and Overcoming Adversity with Polar Expedition Wisdom More detailed information In the ever-evolving landscape of team dynamics, Julie Brown imparts invaluable wisdom on the essentiality of resilience as a cornerstone of success. Drawing parallels between resilience in polar expeditions and navigating life's tumultuous currents, Julie sheds light on the transformative power of adaptability in the face of uncertainty. Rooted in her profound experiences in polar exploration and personal tragedy, Julie illuminates the indomitable spirit required to weather life's storms. As she grapples with the aftermath of Dixie's tragic accident, Julie's journey epitomizes resilience in action, offering a beacon of hope amidst uncertainty. By embracing resilience, individuals cultivate an environment conducive to innovation and productive problem-solving, even in the most challenging circumstances. Julie's narrative transcends the boundaries of conventional leadership discourse, infusing her insights with the depth of personal experience and the resilience forged in the crucible of adversity. Through her guidance, teams discover the resilience to navigate constant change, emerging stronger and more united in their pursuit of collective goals. With Julie Brown as their guide, teams embark on a transformative journey toward resilience, harnessing the lessons of polar exploration to conquer the most formidable challenges with unwavering determination. Request a quote Submit About Julie Brown, born in 1964 in Detroit, Michigan, USA, is a founding partner and managing director of Polar Circles/Polar Experience expedition activities since 1999. With extensive experience in polar exploration, she serves as a project manager and communications director for her team of polar guides. In addition to expedition management, Julie specializes in developing and delivering corporate activities, including keynote presentations and inspiring motivational speeches to diverse audiences. Fluent in English as her native language, Julie is also proficient in Flemish/Dutch as her second language and conversational in French. Her unique ability to translate the rich metaphors from ambitious polar expeditions into relevant lessons for the business world adds an unexpected spark to any event. With over 20 years of public speaking experience, Julie excels in connecting with live audiences, particularly during spontaneous Q&A sessions, where she shares real anecdotes and visual stimulation from polar expeditions. Julie's journey into polar exploration began under the guidance of Dixie Dansercoer (1962 – 2021) during her first polar expedition to Antarctica in 2000, which included a Mount Vinson ascent. Since then, she has served as the project coordinator for various expeditions, such as the Bering Strait Odyssey in 2005, In the Wake of the Belgica in 2007-2008, Antarctic ICE in 2011-2012, and Greenland ICE in 2014. Beyond expedition management, Julie has also contributed to polar expedition cruises as a lecturer and guide in regions including the Antarctic Peninsula, Greenland, Svalbard, and Norway. Collaborating with Dixie, she has led corporate ICE Campaigns in Iceland, Spitsbergen, and Switzerland. Julie is not only an experienced explorer but also a prolific writer, having published several expedition-related accounts since 1998. In 2014, she co-authored "Surpassing Sastrugi," a book that draws relevant parallels for corporate audiences. Julie also maintains the Polar Experience blog, sharing insights and experiences from her expeditions. Julie was married to Dixie Dansercoer for 22 years until his passing in June 2021. Together, they have four children: Jasper, Evelien, Thijs, and Robin. Recently, they welcomed their first grandchild, Ender Dixie Dansercoer, into their family. Julie Brown Polar expedition coordinator and captivating storyteller, illuminating the parallels between polar expeditions and corporate challenges

< back The war for talent; be prepared How to attract the right people and how to determine which talents you need for your business More detailed information Watch the video for more information (Dutch) Request a quote Submit About Saskia leads the National Coalition for Digital Skills & Jobs for Belgium. In this role she focusses to skill/re-skill all talents to maximize the activation of everybody in the changing employment market going forward. As a manager, Saskia Van Uffelen always keeps a keen eye on the human aspects of collaboration in a company. She focusses heavily on ensuring the synergies between the different generations present in the workplace. In interviews, opinion articles and her book ‘Iedereen Baas! – Tous Patron!’ she encourages her colleagues to pay more attention to it as well. The world, our society, is changing and is screaming for a new model. We are living in a digital age, where everyone and everything is connected, where competition is no longer coming from within the sector and customers, users and citizens are in the driver’s seat. Data is gold and sharing is the new having. Dare to help build a new business world, with a balance between results in the short and long term. But dare just as much to help to build another society through personal life choices – a society that is ready for the next generation. ‘Dare for tomorrow’ is the title of her latest book. Saskia Van Uffelen How can we create a new culture in our organisations? Digital Skills Leader Belgium, boosting Future Skills and Jobs for everybody!

< back Career twists Think twice about promotion More detailed information A career does not have to be linearly ascending to be satisfying. Taking a step back now and then to study again, to (re)find the balance between work and life, to regain the feeling that you can handle your job or to be able to make a difference through individual attainments - these are all good reasons to think twice about that promotion. In this session you will learn: That there is a linear career with promotion as ultimate success But there is also a boundaryless career with demotion as an opportunity The win-win of taking a step back Tips and tricks how to handle a step back Request a quote Submit About Tanja is a strong believer in ownership, lifelong learning, and the power of trust. She is author of several books on demotion. Tanja holds a master's degree in communication sciences and a PhD in applied economics. Tanja Verheyen Passionate, driven communication expert, specialised in career twists

< back Wine with a story tastes better Navigating the Red Ocean: Lessons from 14 Years in Wine Entrepreneurship More detailed information Experience the richness of a story-infused wine as Kathleen shares her entrepreneurial journey in the red ocean of the wine industry, in search of blue lagoons. Drawing from 14 years of experience, she imparts invaluable lessons applicable to entrepreneurs across various industries. Join Kathleen as she explores the realms of strategy, marketing, HR, and more—a journey crafted by an entrepreneur for entrepreneurs. Discover how the tales of wine entrepreneurship can inspire and inform your own ventures. Cheers to business with a story Request a quote Submit About Kathleen is an entrepreneur in the wine and tourism industry since 2010, as well as an investor in business ventures. Prior to that, she worked as a construction engineer and later as a strategy consultant for 10 years, providing her with diverse roles and experiences within companies across various countries. Alongside her professional endeavors, Kathleen is a devoted wife and mother, successfully balancing her personal and career goals while nurturing her wonderful family. This broad range of roles and experiences has equipped Kathleen with great comfort in addressing diverse audiences, allowing her to easily relate and adapt to different contexts. She possesses a deep passion for continuous learning and personal growth, as well as a genuine desire to assist others through sharing lessons learned, offering advice, and providing inspiration. Furthermore, Kathleen's love for good wines and enjoyable moments further enhances her ability to connect with people. Kathleen's expertise extends to transforming two wine estates into high-end wine production and tourism ventures, providing her with extensive knowledge of the wine industry. This enables her to host engaging wine tastings on various topics, whether for leisure or educational purposes. Additionally, Kathleen is capable of organizing official wine courses, offering valuable opportunities for individuals seeking to expand their wine knowledge. Kathleen Van den Berghe Passionate entrepreneur in the wine and tourism industry

< back Industry 4.0. as an answer for the customer’s expectations in 2025 ​ More detailed information ACT 1: The changing customer landscape The last best experience your customers had anywhere, becomes their expectation everywhere. As a result, B2B and B2C buyers are becoming ever more demanding about the type of customer service and experience they receive. Already at the start of 2020, three trends were clear, which have only been accelerated by the recent Covid-developments: Know me and what I want: in which companies aren’t just expected to know and predict the individual customer’ s needs, but to address them before they even emerge; Treat me like a human being: in which customers embrace any technology that makes their life easier, but only if it happens naturally/invisibly and doesn’t go at the expense of a human touch; Immerse me: in which customers become ever more selective about the way they spend their time, and will only do so if they feel immersed in a vendor’s retail stores, showroom, offices or digital experience. ACT 2: This is too much to handle Making this transition with a traditional (industry 3.0) mindset is not going to happen. The datasets are too large, sensing is insufficient and the technology just falls short. So to stay up to date with changing customer demand, companies need to level up (to Industry 4.0). ACT 3; Action plan So what should you do? As a business: Build your industry 4.0 capabilities. How do those trends manifest themselves among your customers, and assess the readiness of your business to deal with them. Then improve. As teams: Boldly experiment. Build extreme technology concept experiences and set up red teams to challenge your business to reinvent itself around tomorrow’s customer needs As individuals: Educate yourself by buying and trying different technologies in different environments. You don’t really know how something can work until you’ve tried it. So experiment, fail, learn and get smarter. Request a quote Submit About Alain Thys is a renowned customer-centricity veteran with over 30 years of experience helping large, complex organizations differentiate and thrive. His no-nonsense approach to customer-centricity has enriched the lives of over half a billion customers and 350,000 employees across 100+ countries, creating hundreds of millions in value, and even more smiles. As a hands-on advisor to international leadership teams, Alain’s keynotes and workshops offer bespoke insights and practical strategies that inspire, challenge, and deliver actionable results. His expertise in areas such as customer experience, differentiation, and competitive markets has made him a valued sparring partner for businesses seeking a unique edge in today's crowded marketplace. Get in touch with us to discuss how Alain can inspire and challenge your leadership team to build an edge in a crowded marketplace. Alain Thys Unlock the secrets to profit and differentiation with one of Europe’s top customer-centricity veterans

< back Meet the leader: Parc Solvay La Hulpe What can leaders today learn from past predecessors? More detailed information Ernest Solvay has been one of our greatest entrepreneurs and was a trailblazer as a leader. We discover the magnificent Solvay family estate in La Hulpe and a stretch of the Sonian Forest. The tour also covers the Solvay empire, how the neighbor made his fortune, the biggest real estate operation ever carried out in Belgium, the survival of the fittest under trees, freemasonry and other networks, Steve Jobs' Apple, etc. Practical: distance 8 km, duration 2h45 (possibility to adapt duration and distance) Request a quote Submit About To book Jan as a speaker is offering your team a cheerful moment in nature, incredible stories and time for each other. On his beautiful walks through the Sonian Forest, castle domains and Brussels, he gives his audience a relaxing and enjoyable moment while inspiring with his compelling stories. Jan is a master storyteller who takes you to different worlds, alternating stories about nature (from the baby skin of the beech to the crazy ant) with life stories (from entrepreneurs to painters and horse jockeys) and striking facts about the places we pass. Jan invites you to stand back in the world with wonder and to look at it. His strength is to connect people and tailor his stories to the participants – whether they are managers, HR or construction workers. Jan’s track record is rich. He started his career as the right-hand man of a party chairman, he then was a journalist for many years for newspapers such as De Tijd, De Standaard and television (Panorama - VRT), where he won the Dexia Press Prize for the best journalistic work. In 2011, he became an entrepreneur and founded the speaker agency Read My Lips. In 2019, he sold Read My Lips and after a sabbatical he started offering his walking keynotes in 2021. Jan Puype Entrepreneur and not a typical keynote speaker. He takes you on a walk and tells inspiring stories about people and nature.

< back AI Lives? Navigating the Realities of Artificial Intelligence More detailed information ChatGPT is the buzzword of the past year. Suddenly everyone mentions and everything uses ChatGPT (or so they say). But there is much more to say about AI (Artificial Intelligence). What are the advantages of AI? Are there any disadvantages? Artificial intelligence is maybe offering hackers new sophisticated ways to intrude your systems. However It also allows cybersecurity software to detect suspicious behaviour much sooner. Has cybersecurity entered into a new league with AI? Even more questions will pop up and answered: Will AI fail in ways we do not understand? Will AI models set their own goals? Will AI be able to build better AI models, that people no longer control? What will be more evil: malicious AI or people using AI in an criminal way? What is the greatest threat for AI? And what about your job? 4 decades of security, IT and AI experience bundled in a pragmatic and passionate view about the real dangers and advantages of AI. Request a quote Submit About Eddy Willems is a globally recognized cybersecurity expert from Belgium. He serves as a board member for three prominent security industry organizations: EICAR, AVAR, and LSEC. Additionally, he holds the positions of Resident Security Evangelist and Global Security Officer at G DATA Cyberdefense. Eddy's involvement in the cybersecurity field dates back to 1991 when he became a founding member of EICAR, one of the world’s earliest security IT organizations. Throughout his career, he has held numerous additional roles within various security industry organizations. His expertise is regularly sought after by several CERTs, press agencies, print and online publications, as well as broadcasting media, including CNN. In October 2013, Eddy published his debut book, 'Cybergevaar,' in Belgium and the Netherlands under Lannoo. This was followed by a German translation and an updated English version titled 'Cyberdanger,' published by Springer in 2019. He is also a co-author of the Dutch science fiction cyberthriller ‘Het Virus,’ released in 2020. Eddy is renowned for his engaging speaking style and regularly delivers lectures and presentations worldwide, catering to audiences ranging from children to cybersecurity experts. He has spoken at prestigious events such as TEDx, captivating diverse audiences with his insights and expertise in cybersecurity. Eddy Willems Cyber Security Guru | Inspiring Speaker | Author #Cyberdanger | Security Researcher | Director | Security Evangelist at G DATA CyberDefense