Event management

With over 20 years of experience in the outdoor event industry, I have dedicated a part of my career to creating unforgettable experiences. My journey began with a passion for event planning and execution, which has grown into a profound expertise spanning diverse and high-profile events.

For more than a decade, I served as the General Manager of Experience Island, where I honed my skills in managing operations and coordinating complex events. This role allowed me to develop a keen eye for detail and a strong understanding of what it takes to deliver seamless and memorable events.

My portfolio includes an impressive array of events, from being part of the prestigious Formula 1 Zandvoort, to organizing corporate family days, anniversary celebrations, and coordinating exhibitions and conferences. Each event is approached with a unique perspective, ensuring that every detail aligns perfectly with the client’s vision and goals.

I thrive on the challenge of transforming ideas into reality, creating environments where guests can immerse themselves in the moment and create lasting memories. My extensive experience, coupled with a deep passion for the event industry, makes me a versatile and reliable partner for any event planning needs.

Whether you’re planning a large corporate gathering, a family-oriented celebration, or a high-profile sports event, I bring a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success to ensure your event is executed flawlessly. Let’s create something extraordinary together!

24-08-25 Dutch Grand Prix 2024: A Seamless Experience

The Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort remains one of the most iconic events of the year, and 2024 was no exception. As a gate manager, I had the privilege of contributing to the smooth flow of visitors alongside the fantastic Ticketing team, regardless of the weather conditions. This challenge highlights the power of strong teamwork and the passion of everyone involved in such a large-scale event.

A special thanks to Kim Andeweg for the excellent collaboration over the past years. We wish you all the best in your new role! Additionally, a big shoutout to all the volunteers whose tireless efforts were crucial to the event’s success.

Finally, I want to thank my fellow gate managers for the seamless cooperation; your dedication and professionalism make all the difference. Here’s to next year, with the same energy and passion!

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24-06-17: Eurosatory with Defenture

Back to another ‘old nest’! Over the past few months, I’ve spent considerable time with my former colleagues at Defenture B.V. in preparation for the largest defense exhibition in Europe, Eurosatory in Paris. I had the privilege of helping organize this event from Defenture’s side. What a stellar performance by everyone involved, both during the preparation and execution phases, to put Defenture on the global map – and we succeeded!

A large number of international delegations, clients, and prospects found their way to our stand. With a healthy dose of humor, perseverance, and team spirit, I can confidently say this event was a success! A big thank you to all the fantastic team members at Defenture who made this possible, and special thanks to Daniëlle van Raaij, Boaz Beekhof, Janneke Steenks for the excellent execution, and Joost Suurenbroek for the trust and always perfect collaboration!

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24-06-15 Corporate Family Day for Givaudan at Experience Island

Back to my old stomping grounds at Experience Island! On behalf of Givaudan, I had the pleasure of organizing their corporate family day for over 800 participants. What an amazing day it was, filled with a wide range of activities catering to everyone’s interests. The rain dance worked wonders, the guests had a fantastic time, and I got to spend a day at the place where I enjoyed 14 wonderful years.

A heartfelt thank you to Annelies Lokhorst for the trust and wonderful collaboration, and to all the other fantastic team members for co-organizing this event!

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24-06-08: Kärcher SUMMER FEST

The kickoff to a busy period! Last weekend, I had the pleasure of organizing the SUMMER FEST for Kärcher Nederland in celebration of their 40th anniversary in the Netherlands. Fort Altena was transformed into a Caribbean paradise with something fun for everyone!

A special thank you to Jop Küster and Heidi Snoek for the assignment and wonderful collaboration, and to Ellis Versteeg and Iwan Steenbrink for their partnership at the Fort Altena location.

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23-10-12 Launch event Conscious Aerospace

Today was a double celebration! As the production lead, I was honored to spearhead the Lift-Off event at Wings Hotel, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, on behalf of Conscious Aerospace in collaboration with Rotterdam The Hague Airport and Havana Orange. During this event, we reached a crucial milestone in the development of HAPSS, the Hydrogen Aircraft Propulsion and Storage System. Additionally, the new Conscious Aerospace hangar at Rotterdam The Hague Airport was officially opened.

The ambition is to be the first to fly more than 30 passengers over a distance of 750 km on hydrogen by 2028 with Conscious Aerospace. A big thank you to Conscious Aerospace for this incredible opportunity.

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23-08-27: Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix

What an unforgettable week it was, being part of the sensational Dutch Grand Prix spectacle in Zandvoort. It’s incredible to be involved in the most prestigious event in the Netherlands, but this year I added an extra layer of exclusivity by standing on the Grid during the opening ceremony with André Rieu!

Of course, Max Verstappen once again brought the ultimate climax to the festival. His performance added an indescribable level of excitement to the event.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to Kim Andeweg. Her dedication contributed significantly to the success of this amazing event. A special shout-out to Carlijn Spaaij and the fantastic team of volunteers! Your hard work and commitment made all of this possible. Last but not least, the other Gate 4 King next to myself: Koen van Hulst. Together we form the dynamic duo of Gate 4.

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23-06-10 Immersed in Mud at MudMasters

For the past three days, we created a spectacular experience at MudMasters for our valued clients Jungheinrich Nederland, House of Covebo, and KPN. Together with Jeroen van Boven from Trailcaptures, we ensured they were fully taken care of during this adrenaline-pumping event. Under a radiant sun, they bravely tackled the challenging mud courses in and around the beautiful Haarlemmermeerse Bos.

After their ultimate victory, there was nothing better than enjoying a refreshing drink and a lively party, thanks to Qmusic. Once all our clients safely crossed the finish line, it was time for us to experience the event firsthand. After all, to sell an experience, you must be an expert yourself!

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22-09-04: Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix

In one word: WOW!! What an incredible experience to be part of the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2.0! Over four days, our outstanding team had the privilege of welcoming more than 300,000 visitors. This was truly the most exciting event one could hope to be involved in.

As a gate manager, my role was to ensure the smooth operation of the entry gates. This included managing ticketing, helpdesk services, security, crowd flow, and handling emergencies. Being part of such a high-energy, world-class event was an unforgettable experience, showcasing the power of teamwork and precise coordination.

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22-07-27 Working in the Kitchen at Café Restaurant The Talk

Help, I’m in the kitchen! Thankfully, I’m under the guidance of some experienced pros, or things might not go so well. During this slightly quieter period for my regular work, I decided to reach out within my network to see where I could assist. I had the opportunity to help alleviate the staff shortage during the Tilburg Fair at Café Restaurant The Talk, owned by Toine van der Klooster.

It was a rewarding experience to step out of my usual role and contribute to the team, ensuring smooth operations during one of the busiest times of the year. This initiative not only helped the restaurant but also strengthened community ties and showcased the importance of flexibility and support within our professional networks.

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22-06-13: InnovationQuarter Year event

Today, I had the privilege of being one of the key organizers for the consortium HAPSS ‘Hydrogen Takes Flight’ event, held as part of the IQ Annual Event. This groundbreaking initiative by Conscious Aerospace aims to have the first hydrogen-powered aircraft flying within five years and to develop new aircraft build concepts in collaboration with other manufacturers. Their ambitious goal is to establish a Dutch ecosystem that surpasses the market, delivering a credible green solution certified by 2028.

This event showcased the innovative steps being taken towards a sustainable aviation future, highlighting the collaborative efforts necessary to achieve these ambitious targets.