< back How to make a difference? Plastic pollution is a worldwide epidemic. By now we are aware of this but how does real change come about? More detailed information Merijn Tinga AKA the Plastic Soup Surfer has influenced policy in the Netherlands and made companies take plastic products from their shelves. He has ample knowledge of recycling and consequences of plastic pollution. In his entertaining and sometimes funny presentations he uses his expeditions on selfmade surfboards from plastic-waste as the storyline. He inspires to take action and shows how you too can make a difference. Request a quote Submit About 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. Merijn Tinga His surfboard is a weapon. His target: politicians and company ceo's. The goal: real change!

< back The power of healthy humor Learn how to use humor as a form of communication in which everyone can feel good in order to perform and achieve goals in a healthy and wise way. More detailed information Humor seems like a light-hearted subject. But the way humor is used often says something about how someone feels and looks at life. Humor is therefore not about having to be funny 'always and everywhere'. It is about the dosed use of a form of communication in which everyone can feel good. So that everyone can achieve the goals he or she has set for themselves in a healthy and wise way. During the fascinating and interactive lecture by humorologist Johan De Keyser you will learn that not all humor is healthy. Mental health has more to do with the presence of healthy humor and the absence of unhealthy humor. By healthy humor we mean the positive look with which you look at life and the way in which you can work together with others in a pleasant and relaxed way. Unhealthy humor is at the expense of yourself and your relationships. You will also find out how high your personal H.Q. is. You will receive a number of tips to increase that humor quotient by a few percentages and you will learn how to use humor adequately within the context of your organization. Request a quote Submit About Over the past 30 years, Johan De Keyser has had the privilege of coaching and training a tremendous number of people, teams and organizations. From alcohol and drug addicts to people with depression or burnout. Both in the social sector and in education. But also in companies and SMEs, from workers to CEOs. He was a ward coordinator in a psychiatric hospital for two years, a Team Development Coach at Lineas, the largest private rail freight operator in Europe, an individual coach and therapist at the therapeutic center Tripsyco and a sociotherapist at day center De Welving of AZ Sint Maarten / Emmaus. In October 2018, his first book "Build your dream team" was published. May 2023 his second book 'Dynamic balance' will be published (both by LannooCampus). Johan De Keyser Expert on how to tackle toxic cultures by building dreamteams with powerful people in equivalent relationships. Author of 2 books and the first Humorologist of the BeNeLux.

< back Mastering Voice-Over Techniques for Effective Communication More detailed information In this workshop, participants will learn how to effectively use their voice. The session will cover vocal techniques, tone, pacing, and articulation, as well as tips for maintaining vocal health. Practical exercises will help attendees develop their voice-over skills for various media applications. This workshop is valuable not only for those directly involved in voice-over work but also for anyone engaged in outward-facing communication roles. Effective voice usage can significantly impact how messages are received and understood by audiences across various platforms, making this workshop relevant and advantageous for a wide range of communicators. It is beneficial for aspiring and experienced voice-over artists, actors, broadcasters, podcasters, public speakers, and anyone interested in improving their vocal communication skills for professional or personal development. Request a quote Submit About Geraldine is a versatile professional with a rich background in acting, directing, voice coaching, and journalism. With over two decades of experience in France, she graduated from the prestigious European acting academy, 'Le Cours Florent,' and has captivated audiences at renowned events like the Festival of Avignon. Her expertise extends beyond the stage, as she has moderated debates for esteemed institutions such as ENISA, the European Commission, and WWF. Geraldine's voice has become a staple in commercials and advertisements for major brands like Apple, Dyson, and Louis Vuitton, resonating across television, radio, and online platforms in multiple languages. Her talents also shine through in various multimedia projects, music videos, audiobooks, and museum tours, enriching diverse storytelling mediums with her captivating narration. Since 2020, Geraldine has expanded her scope to international journalism, collaborating with media outlets worldwide as a producer, fixer, and journalistic collaborator, bringing compelling stories to life in France. Geraldine Vandercammen Driven by curiosity, fueled by originality, and rooted in journalistic excellence.

< back Ignoring the climate crisis is (soon to be considered) bad for business. Why ignoring climate change is becoming a risky business More detailed information We are all aware that exceptional businesses and true value can only be developed over time. A CEO's biggest issue is juggling the need to achieve long-term objectives with the necessity to maintain the organization's strength in the present. Companies and industries that are not moving towards zero-carbon emissions will be punished by investors and go bankrupt. Ignoring climate change is becoming a risky business. It is acknowledged that climate change will have an enormous impact on society and affect a number of different industries. As a result, it will become a growing challenge to business continuity and resilience. Physical climate disruption, resource depletion, direct harm from extreme weather, and increasing sea levels are some of these hazards. Commodity price volatility, increased capital expenses, financial losses, and significant reputational harm are some of the knock-on impacts that ensue. It should come as no surprise that these concerns are forcing corporate executives to reconsider their business strategies. Request a quote Submit About Dr. Ngomsik holds a PhD in physical and analytical chemistry and is a seasoned strategist specializing in climate change and corporate social responsibility. As the CEO and co-founder of Trianon Scientific Communication, a management consulting firm, Dr. Ngomsik leads efforts to assist businesses with the highest CO2 emissions in harmonizing sustainability with profitability. Over the past two decades, she has collaborated closely with board members and executives to promote awareness, embed CSR principles into business strategies, implement sustainable practices, provide training for decision-makers, and explore innovative green solutions. Dr. Ngomsik firmly advocates for addressing the interconnected pillars of people, planet, and profit to effectively tackle today's sustainability challenges. Recognizing the value of diverse leadership and inclusive environments, Dr. Ngomsik emphasizes their role in driving innovation, problem-solving capabilities, revenue growth, and reducing organizational CO2 emissions. She integrates these principles into her consultancy work, viewing corporate environmental and social sustainability as catalysts for enhanced profitability. Dr. Ngomsik's expertise extends beyond devising strategies for emissions reduction; she actively promotes increased diversity among decision-makers within organizations, both in inherent traits and acquired perspectives. Her engaging keynote speeches are renowned for simplifying complex concepts into relatable anecdotes, fostering inclusive and enjoyable interactions with her audience, and bridging the crucial connection between People, Planet, and Profit (3P). With her unique blend of expertise, communication prowess, and commitment to holistic sustainability, Dr. Ngomsik continues to be a sought-after speaker and consultant, driving positive change and impactful strategies across industries. Dr. Audrey-Flore Ngomsik TEDx speaker, named “most inspiring women in sustainability”, Audrey-Flore uses science to positively influence businesses to take actions to solve climate change challenges.

< back Stop Convincing How you help customers and consumers to adopt sustainable choices More detailed information Sustainability communication is failing. Governments and companies focus almost exclusively on why and not how. Those who really want to take stakeholders to a sustainable future must focus on how. In this keynote Wannes shows how 7 punishing tactics from marketing and behavioral economics can make all the difference. Request a quote Submit About As marketeers we influence the choices people make. In these times of massive pollution, climate destress and biodiversity loss this is a huge responsability. Every campaign we make is a statement for the society we choose. One with plastic waste and animal suffering or one with florishing wildlife and breathable clean air. However, we need big strong companies and brands to make a sustainable lifestyle easier. And so I am fascinated by whatever works to make our planet healthier and our people happier. I like to advocat people that annoy us, brands that have smart solutions and methods that ease the transition to a sustainable society that gets everyone on board. Wannes Van Giel Climate activist with marketing as a weapon of change

< back Leading in times of change Workshop More detailed information We live in turbulent times where changes follow one another faster and faster. This has a huge impact on you as a leader as well. How can you deal with this? What is your role towards your team? What can you do best in order to keep your employees engaged? During this workshop we want to guide you through the change curve of Kubler Ross. Additionally we offer concrete tips on how to deal with all kinds of emotions that appear during changes. We facilitate an exercise which you can do within your team afterwards. Additionally we offer tools in order to help you set up better conversations with your team members individually. And finally we facilitate a moment of reflection with your colleagues leaders. All in order to offer you pragmatic insights on how you as a leader can maximize the willingness for change in your team. Request a quote Submit About Julie's mission is to systematically increase engagement in the workplace, emphasizing the concept of bringing more FLOW into work environments. Flow represents a state of mind where individuals are highly engaged, motivated, and focused. It involves being completely immersed in tasks, driven by a powerful energetic force. Studies indicate that we spend only about 5% of our time in flow states, a statistic Julie aims to change. This motivation led her to establish her company – Flowspire, which seeks to foster connections within organizations and inspire employees to achieve better results for themselves, their colleagues, and society as a whole. Enhanced wellbeing and engagement contribute to stronger brands, increased loyalty, greater creativity, agility, and ultimately better outcomes—a proven fact. Julie brings unique perspectives to this arena due to her diverse background as a commercial engineer and over 15 years of international business experience. She has developed expertise in areas such as employer branding, change management, cultural shifts, leadership, and facilitation, working with companies of varying sizes from small to medium enterprises to multinational corporations. In her role as an Employee Engagement Architect and Facilitator, Julie formulates comprehensive change plans and ignites transformative movements within organizations. Additionally, she serves as a lecturer at Thomas More University, teaching courses on HR Trends and Employee Engagement. Julie is widely recognized for her high energy, deep expertise, and is esteemed for her balanced approach that combines results-driven strategies with a genuine care for people. Julie Heyvaert Employee Engagement Architect. Julie’s mission is to drive for more human energy on the workfloor.

< back You are not the norm How to create a more inclusive workplace going beyond diversity? More detailed information Superdiversity is increasingly becoming the norm in society, yet it has not yet fully permeated companies. As teams become more diverse, the challenge for inclusive leaders to harness the potential of this diversity keeps growing. This talk addresses how all team members can embrace the shared responsibility of fostering a truly inclusive workplace where diverse talents can thrive. The first crucial step in becoming an inclusive colleague is recognizing that one's own perspective may not represent the norm. We all have blind spots regarding our privileges, as well as obstacles and catalysts in our professional journeys. Throughout this discussion, you will discover how to adopt a more proactive role in cultivating a daily inclusive environment, both as a leader and as a colleague. Explore the mechanisms of behavioral change and understand the significance of internal and external triggers. Real-life examples of common, perplexing situations and effective strategies for managing them will be provided. It's essential to understand that inclusivity is not about determining right or wrong; rather, it's about fostering an environment conducive to continual evolution towards a more inclusive workplace. Request a quote Submit About In her vision of diversity, equity, and inclusion, Elke encapsulates her philosophy succinctly: "Don’t fix the people, fix the culture. " She believes that inclusive leaders play a pivotal role in making diversity work within organizations. They view diversity as a growth opportunity for the company, embracing challenges posed by differing perspectives and actively seeking diversity within their teams. Understanding that inclusion is not solely an individual responsibility but a collective endeavor, Elke has developed a model comprising five drivers, initially introduced in 2019 as part of her INSEAD Gender Diversity Program. In her podcast , she elaborates on her recipe for cultivating truly inclusive workplaces. Having shared her vision on inclusion through over 150 keynote talks and leadership workshops, Elke has assisted numerous companies in identifying their next best steps. In 2024, she launched the Dutch podcast Bindstof , featuring interviews with inclusive leaders across society, focusing on fostering connections beyond differences. Elke emphasizes the importance of creating awareness throughout organizations, identifying and transforming barriers for diverse talents into accelerators, and holding leaders accountable for change. Drawing from global best practices and the real-life experiences of hundreds of leaders, her solutions for inclusive leadership are rooted in tangible successes. Recognizing persistent barriers faced by women in non-inclusive workplaces, Elke founded Fierce Ladies in 2012, a platform where women support each other's growth. Through initiatives like role model talks, growth academies, and international retreats, Fierce Ladies aims to dismantle systemic barriers and empower women across sectors and generations. With a rich professional background spanning stakeholder engagement, corporate communications, public relations, and public affairs, Elke has collaborated with leaders in various spheres, including Microsoft, HP, and SBS media group. She has shared her insights on numerous conference stages and is a co-author of the book "Who run the world, the power of female leadership." As of April 2022, Elke serves as President of the Board at VDAB, the Flemish agency for employment, driving initiatives for an inclusive job market. At home with her husband Jo, Elke endeavors to foster inclusivity within their blended family of five children aged between 18 and 30, with the excitement of welcoming their first granddaughter soon. They believe that respecting and embracing the diversity of personalities and talents around their dinner table is fundamental to their children's growth. For Elke and her family, inclusivity is an ongoing journey of learning, with each day presenting new opportunities to cultivate inclusiveness. Elke Jeurissen Entrepreneur, Community Builder (Inclusive Leaders Connect, Straffe Madammen, 72Hours Reload), co-author of 2 books, (step)mum of 5.

< 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.