< back Burning out, and “Burning in” The key to wellbeing is less rather than more; building in space for silence and creativity. More detailed information We do more, take on more, work more hours, deliver more. So often, leaders see low engagement numbers and turn to their Engagement Managers to offer more: more yoga, more mindfulness, more meditation, more coaching. But at the end of the day, this is counter-productive, leading to more stress, higher workloads, longer hours. The key to wellbeing is less rather than more; building in space for silence and creativity. An invisible, little-known phenomenon that affects high-functioning teams and is just as dangerous as burnout; it's called "Burn In". It's when we do it to ourselves, perpetuating an unsustainable state of perpetual over-delivery. When we return to the office, we’re back in traffic again, chatting with colleagues, subject to unplanned interruptions and new impromptu mini-projects. Our office days stretch well into the evening as we catch up on missed mails. Our workloads spiral upwards as we catch up in the evenings, and find we are not the only ones. One element to reduce this risk is conscious workload reduction. This does not mean less productivity, but eliminating admin, rituals, political and “busy work” to create space for quality results, more creativity and joy that only time can allow. “Flow” contributes to increased job satisfaction and improvise our mental, physical and emotional well-being which naturally translates to higher levels of engagement and lower churn rates. The average workday, chock with meetings, incoming fire of communication, expectations and deliverables, needs to be carefully choreographed to create that all-important, critical ingredient for achieving “flow”: silence. Request a quote Submit About Speaker, author, trainer and coach, Fiona is a specialist of the Human at Work, leadership and the integration of AI into our working lives. She focuses on positive culture and engagement for large multinationals. Fiona is the author of the Comic Books for Executive Series and produces a regular podcast and video series called “Working Humans”. Her latest book, “The Handbook for Post-Covid Engagement” won at the UK Business Book Awards and received a Goody Award for thought leadership. Her new book is entitled “AI Powered”, due for release this year. Fiona spent many years in the corporate space in HR, in the area of internal communications and employee engagement. She has been Creative Lead, Senior Visual Communicator, Innovation Advisor, Explainer and Storyteller for some of the largest multinationals in Europe, in Vienna, London, Budapest, Brussels and Amsterdam. In 2020 she achieved a master’s in business management and AI concentration. Today, Fiona is a highly effective visual storytelling and stand-up comedian in training. She weaves solid, serious, research-driven advice with laughter and fun, guides for improving our working lives at any organization. Fiona Passantino Speaker, author, podcaster, thought leader. Expert on the Human-AI connection: engagement, communication, culture and AI integration.

< back Wild foraging: local power foods Teambuilding that nurishes the stomach and soul More detailed information In this workshop, we immerse ourselves in nature. Increasingly, studies highlight the positive effects of greenery on our health. Nature not only reduces stress but also decreases the likelihood of illness. Apart from that, our natural environment has another surprise in store: wild edible plants. These are plants that grow in the wild and haven't been cultivated. As a result, they are packed with vitamins and minerals. During a guided walk, we search for these power plants, learning interesting facts about our natural surroundings along the way. Finally, we incorporate them into a dish (herb-infused salt, appetizers, etc.) in a lively and engaging manner. Request a quote Submit About Saartje Vandendriessche earned her stripes in the media. For 17 years, she worked for VRT and made several adventurous programmes. Just think of Op de man af, Saar in het bos and Beweeg in uw kot; programmes in which Saartje had to get out of her comfort zone and was confronted with fascinating challenges. Today, her challenge is to inspire as many people as possible to live life with more energy. Through keynotes, teambuildings and energy boost camps ( 2-day mini retreats), she raises participants' energy levels in all areas (via food, exercise , sleep and especially our mindset). And she shows the way to a healthy lifestyle with tons of energy. She does this, as always, in her own stubborn, energetic way, and with the necessary dose of humour. Saartje Vandendriessche Saartje makes sure everyone goes home with an energy boost

< back Continuous improvement through innovation and learning Keynote and workshop based on the book Learning Ecosystems, finalist best international business books More detailed information In these times of ever-faster innovation, the impact on us as people, as employees, and in our organisations is often overwhelming. A positive mindset towards learning is therefore the best way not to be left behind, and more so, to help shape the uncertain future itself. In this often provocative keynote, we look at a future that has already caught up with us and draw inspiration from innovations that support learning and growth. For this, we look at the concept of learning ecosystems where learning is supported by all stakeholders to support growth as individuals and as organisations and, by extension, society. A roadmap for continuous improvement through learning is the result there. Based on the book Leaning Ecosystems, this talk is ideally suited for executives who want to commit to continuous improvement through innovation and a learning culture with engaged employees. An adapted form is also very interesting as an inspirational talk for employees to help shape an agile strategy in which their competences help shape the learning organisation. This keynote can also be extended with a workshop for CEO/COO/CXOs or Senior Executives/Leaders in Innovation, HR and L&D. The aim of this workshop is to come up with implementable innovations (processes and technology) that support the future of work and put the organisation on a path of continuous improvement Request a quote Submit About Katja Schipperheijn is an internationally recognised author, strategist, futurist, lecturer and keynote speaker. Her expertise focuses on AI and pioneering innovations that create a human-machine symbiosis to enable learning ecosystems to flourish. In doing so, she advocates adopting a learning mindset at the personal, team and corporate levels not to become overwhelmed, but to thrive and sustainably shape the future itself. Her provocative ideas challenge traditional dogmas and offer fresh perspectives. Sheinspires everyone to adapt and embrace learning before they suffer irreversible damage because AI and other innovations are already pervasive. They are affecting organisations and their employees with unprecedented speed. To incite change, she does not shy away from hypes and discusses the impact of what now seem futuristic, such as Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI) or hyper-realistic avatars that make deepfaking a child's play. Katja explores the intersection of technology and humanity and its impact on our society. For example, she looks at how competences such as imagination, curiosity and consilience play a role. She explores the similarities between neuroscience and computer science to optimise the learning of both human and artificial intelligence. Human connection is paramount in shaping the future of work, which is why she often draws her inspiration from the future as seen through the eyes of children. Katja's keynote speeches are therefore engaging and inspiring for a very diverse audience. Often, her keynotes are the starting point for a future readiness workshop and a continuous improvement project. Besides advising governments, multinationals, educational institutions and start-ups, Katja is also a philanthropist as founder of sCooledu and author of Little Digital Citizens (Dutch 2018). More than 15,000 children have already participated in her workshops on the future and the increasingly virtual world. This shows her commitment to social responsibility and the importance of promoting digital literacy among young people. By booking Katja for an event, you not only get valuable insights but also support a good cause. As an author, Katja achieved international recognition with her book Learning Ecosystems (2023) finalist best international business books in London and included in the Top 100 best international business books by the eLearning Journal in Germany. This book will therefore be available in several languages including Arabic during 2024. 2024 will also see the release of her latest book. The Learning Mindset: Combining human competencies with technology to thrive. Katja Schipperheijn Author, learning strategist and keynote speaker with a passion for continuous improvement through human-centred innovations that support learning

< 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

< back How to Be(come) a Customer-centric Leader? The true meaning of customer-centric leadership More detailed information Customer-centric leadership sounds nice in theory. But no one seems to be clear on what it really means. At best, this means that leaders need to improvise. At worst, they fail the business. In this online inspiration session, Alain challenges managers and executives to explore the true meaning of customer-centric leadership. Not in theory, but in practice. So inspect clear suggestions on ‘inspiring teams’, ‘demonstrating personal commitment’ and ‘helping your people do what is right’ for the customer and the bottom line of the company. Optionally, the more traditional keynote format, can be expanded with: • a live assessment of company’s customer-centric leadership behaviours, • bespoke introductory videos that are linked to the company strategy • (online) ‘sparring sessions’ with practical leadership tips & guidance • individual coaching for leaders who want to raise their game 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 How to still be relevant for people and society in 2035? How businesses can create short and long term value for their customers while also achieving their own sustainable business objectives. Practical advice for businesses looking to create sustainable competitive advantage in the economy of the future. More detailed information Rik is convinced that the next 10 to 15 years will be a unique period in time (The Twilight Twenties) in which the old will slowly fade away, a new society and economy will take shape and companies will experience the new. In this keynote, Rik shares a story about the history of the future. How did we get here, and what were the dynamics that shaped the present? Where do we go from here? And what does that mean for companies and the people who shape them? In the past ten years, Rik has consistently proven (through his books, columns, blogs and during many keynotes) that he can predict how people, society and the business environment will evolve. This evolution is not necessarily linear or created thanks to a hype, it is always a dynamic storm of many factors that interact. The examples often followed months or even years later. Rik therefore never zooms in on just one single aspect, such as technology, HR, customer centricity or a specific part of the value chain. None of these aspects make sense without taking their connection to the others into account, as industry boundaries blur or disappear and value chains change dramatically. Companies have to adapt and want to reposition themselves. Rik wants to include them in the story ‘how to still be relevant to people and society in 2035’ to show them how to do so. The keynote is always tailored to the event, industry, audience or context. In addition, it is a lively, energetic and practical session to give you the tools you need to add value to your customers or organisation in the future. Request a quote Submit About Rik is an author, futurologist, business philosopher, coach and above all a very inspiring keynote speaker. He looks at companies and organisations from his unique and surprisingly broad perspective and makes it clear to them how they can continue to be relevant in the ever digitising society of the future. He likes to challenge them to distinguish themselves within and even outside of their industry. Rik writes and speaks passionately about business models, entrepreneurship, leadership, marketing, customer focus, sales, (digital) innovation and the interconnectedness thereof. Rik Vera International keynote speaker, coach, author and advisor on the impact of all things digital on society and business.

< back Uniting Forces: Team Building and Collaboration Nurturing cohesion and empowering teams to achieve extraordinary results More detailed information In her captivating keynote address on teamwork – teambuilding & teambinding, Julie Brown brings a wealth of experience and insight to the forefront, drawing upon her remarkable journey in polar exploration and personal resilience. A team, often curated by external forces in corporate settings, comprises individuals chosen for their diverse competencies. However, as Julie underscores, the true strength of any team lies not solely in individual skills but in the cohesive bonds that foster constructive collaboration toward shared objectives. Julie delves into the essence of healthy teams, emphasizing their capacity to uplift and propel one another toward continuous growth. In her narrative, growth emerges as a fundamental imperative, driving teams to consistently elevate their performance and achieve multifaceted success. Through her profound understanding of effective leadership, Julie elucidates the distinction between merely assembling a team and cultivating a resilient, sustainable entity capable of transcending individual victories. By binding team members together with a shared vision and sense of purpose, leaders lay the groundwork for extraordinary achievements within organizations. Join Julie Brown as she unravels the secrets of effective team building and collaboration, igniting inspiration and empowerment among audiences to forge stronger, more resilient teams poised for unparalleled success. 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