Holland’s 10 finest boardrooms (part 1): When confidentiality or exclusive settings are top priority

When organizing meetings, the venue you choose has great impact on how your delegates perceive the entire meeting. Traditionally the exclusive domain of the board for their meetings, now more and more people discover the advantages of meeting in the comfort and luxury of a well-designed and equipped boardroom. Every meeting planner must have a shortlist with the best, most unique and authentic facilities throughout Holland. State-of-the art technology, excellent food and beverages and top-class service are a given.

I hereby share my fine and out-of-the ordinary selection of boardrooms in Holland. This week you’ll read about the first 5, next week I will post about the others.

10. The Manhattan Hotel – Rotterdam

Offering no less than six sumptuous boardrooms on the upper floors of The Manhattan Hotel, your meeting will be a success, especially with the backdrop of Rotterdam’s skyline. Stunning views and state-of the-art facilities make these boardrooms ideal settings for your meeting or intimate event.

www.manhattanhotelrotterdam.com

9. Board Room – Hotel Okura

Everything you may need in a boardroom, combined with impeccable service and delicious culinary offerings. This is what the stylish boardroom of the Okura Hotel Amsterdam offers the international meeting guest. Combine your meeting with a private dining experience overlooking the city of Amsterdam from the hotel’s panoramic rooms on the 23rd floor.

www.okura.nl

8. Penthouse Boardroom Bel Air Hotel – The Hague

Another top-level boardroom, with stunning views of The Hague’s skyline, is located on the uppermost floor of the Bel Air Hotel The Hague. The privacy on this floor appeals to many a meeting planner and creates an ideal setting for confidential meetings. There is ample space and two separate seating areas. All technical facilities are available, including video-conferencing. The venue is next to the World Forum Convention Centre and the International Criminal Court.

www.belairhotel.nl

7. De Brouwerskamer (Brewer’s Room) – Heineken Experience

De Brouwerskamer is a room like no other, and a very intimate one at that. It features unrivalled, breathtaking grandeur, while retaining a pleasant, personal feel. It exudes the atmosphere of the good old days. The presence of the master brewers is still discernable in this beautifully decorated room. The books in the library reveal their secret recipes.

www.heinekenexperience.com

6. Zaamen – Haarlem

Named the best ‘smart co-work centre’ of Holland, Zaamen is a new and trendy hotspot for entrepreneurial professionals. Offering flex work spaces, stylish offices for freelancers and young entrepreneurs, and excellent settings for meetings and brainstorm sessions, Haarlem has  created a vibrant and inspiring place to be. The Castor boardroom is stylishly decorated and offers a great view of the Nieuwe Gracht.

www.zaamen.nl

And many more…

It goes without saying that there are many more excellent boardrooms available throughout the country that could have easily made this list as well. I had the luxury to pick from a wide array of beautiful venues and extraordinary facilities, yet the difficult task to narrow it down to only ten.

Which exclusive venue is missing from this list according to you? Share your tips!

Let me sing for you at #EIBTM : what’s your favourite song?

Only 2 days to go and we will see each other at EIBTM in Barcelona, right? And as you might know, I love to sing too. Together with my band, I will be performing live during the Happy Hours at the Holland Meeting Point (J300).

Today me and my band were reviewing our playlist. And that’s when we started wondering what your favourite song is. Please let us know and, if it’s within our capabilities, we will play it esspecially for you!

What to expect?

Of course I will playing my own song “Loosen up!”:

And you know I live the Beatles too:

Sharing is caring!

Now, maybe you don’t have a favourite song you want me to play, but your friends or colleagues might have one. So please spread the word and help me create the best playlist you have ever heard!

Add impact to your meetings & events, add some orange: Come to Holland at #EIBTM

Next week we will meet at EIBTM in Barcelona. I will show you that it’s amazing what orange can do. Add Holland’s national colour and see what happens. It adds fresh thinking and new insights to business meetings. It makes every business event unique and also, meeting in this small country has three big advantages:

  1. Holland is a compact country
  2. Holland is easily accessible and
  3. Holland is an inspirational country

Why is that? Read more at www.addsomeorange.com

Experience the impact of orange: get splashed!

Find out how a little bit of orange can make a difference. This is not
only true for business meetings, but also for the photo I would like to take with you.I’ll bring my bucket of orange paint and will throw it right at you (see examples from IMEX America).

To compensate for the scare, I will give you some funny orange splash frames. Select a photo showing a pleasant personal memory, then add this picture to the orange splash frame, stick both onto a wall, fridge orwhatever. And behold: your photo has more impact.

Meet the Dutch at #EIBTM : Make an appointment!

As you know, I was first introduced to the international meeting buyer community at last year’s EIBTM in Barcelona.This year, stand J300 will be my home, and your Holland Meeting Point during EIBTM. Be sure to check out my live performance during our Happy Hours at 17:00 on Tuesday and Wednesday.

I will be joined by representatives of 33 of the finest Dutch convention centres, special venues, meeting hotels and hotel chains, regional convention bureaus, destination management companies and other service providers, such as Skyteam (KLM-AirFrance and partners). The venues cover the best of what Holland has to offer, in all geographical areas, ranging from very old historic buildings to state-of-the-art modern facilities. We even have a former cruise vessel that is now a trendy hotel and meeting venue.

The destination experts from five major cities and the best destination management companies will help you to create the best circumstances for your next meeting, and will make sure that the logistics run seamlessly.

Appointment system : really easy!

If you are going to the EIBTM in Barcelona from 27 through 29 November, do visit the EIBTM website to find out about all the show and the benefits for attendees.

To be sure of an appointment, please use the EIBTM pre-scheduled appointment system to book your slot, or contact me directly to set up an appointment. With so many friends present, there must be someone at the Holland Meeting Point (stand J300) that can help you with your next meeting:

Regional Convention Bureaus

Destination Management Companies

Convention Centres

Hotel Chains

Individual Hotels

Special venues

Travel Solutions

Keep in touch with the Dutch

As you know, I am here to make it easy for you to keep in touch with the Dutch. Just contact me via any of my online channels and I will help you out!

New in Holland: Everything is fashion at Hotel Modez

The unique Hotel Modez opened recently in the city of Arnhem, in the eastern part of Holland. The name is a fusion of MOde (Fashion), Design, and ArtEZ (the Arnhem Art Academy). The renowned illustrator Piet Paris, along with over thirty fashion designers, created the concept and design.

The hotel is situated in the Arnhem fashion quarter – a revitalization of a historic district – and the rooms exude fashion. In the breakfast room you can virtually feel the couturier at work in his office. The elevator is a mini fashion museum that takes you up along fashion photography and illustrations at each floor. Many of the 20 rooms are named after couturiers and designers who came up with surprising concepts that characterize their style.

Check for more info: www.hotelmodez.com

My 4 favourite ‘orange educational sessions’ at #EIBTM : what are yours?

In almost 2 weeks we are all heading to Barcelona for EIBTM. EIBTM is the leading global event for the meetings, incentives, events and business travel industry, held in the vibrant destination of Barcelona. The event delivers three days of focused access to a dynamic business environment, thought provoking professional education and business networks for all attendees.

Last week I posted in the EIBTM Linkedin group the following question:

EIBTM Education: what is your ‘must attend’ session? Why do you attend EIBTM? Also for the eductational sessions? Have you marked your favourites yet? Let’s share: which session(s) are you planning to attend?

I then started browsing the educational programme and asked myself: what would be my ‘must attend’ eductional sessions if I look at this through my orange sunglasses? Who are the Dutch industry professionals who contribute to this program?

These are my top 4 ‘orange picks’. Please let me know what your favourite sessions are!

1. Hybrid: Hands On!

Reach out to the 80% of your target group who aren’t attending your event by thinking live & online. Get the essence of hybrid event in a 30 minutes non-techie hands-on guide. If you’ve heard about hybrid events but think they compete with your live event, this is your session!

Topics: what hybrid events are, why they are booming, dos & don’ts and tips for your first steps.

Dutch Speaker:
Gerdie Schreuders, Online Event Designer, Social Media Coach and Virtual Emcee at LiveOnlineEvents BV
Date/Time: 27 Nov 2012, 11:30-12:00
Location: The Future Events Experience

2. Listen & #Daretogive: Social Media in meetings & events

Gerrit Heijkoop will take you on a journey that will grow your confidence in how to approach new social technologies when organizing your next meeting or event. During his session he will help you understand the new ‘ground rules’ of online Social Networking. He will explain why Social Media are such powerful tools around live events and meetings.

Based on real-life case examples, Gerrit will guide you through several ‘Social Scenarios’. A ‘Social Scenario’ is a combination of a storyline, tools and operations, specifically designed to support a certain business process. This will make it easier for you to determine whether you should consider Social Media at all for your next meeting or event, which resources you need, what to do with them and how to get results.

Dutch Speaker:
Gerrit Heijkoop, Executive Partner, and Social Network Consultant for Events & Conferences at How Can I Be Social (HCIBS)
Date/Time: 28 Nov 2012, 15:30-16:30

3. Practical Examples of Sustainability in Action

As a recent winner of the UFI Sustainable Development award, the Amsterdam RAI have a lot to talk about when it comes to sustainability – leading the way in addressing social, environmental and economic impacts.  This session will outline some practical examples of how the RAI are acheiving sustainability success.

Dutch Speaker:
Babs Nijam, Business Development Manager at Amsterdam RAI
Date/Time: 28 Nov 2012, 16:00-16:30
Location: Sustainability Stand M750

4. EIBTM Technology Watch Award

The EIBTM Technology Watch Award is the most high profile and longest running technology recognition scheme for innovation in the global meetings and events sector, offering an invaluable opportunity to rising stars within the industry. Chaired by Corbin Ball, the judging panel is looking for companies to demonstrate new and innovative technology solutions that can make a significant difference to the industry.

Dutch Jury member:
Ruud W. Janssen, Marketing Entrepreneur at The New Objective Collective (TNOC)
Date/Time: 28 Nov 2012, 17:00-17:30
Location: The Future Events Experience

What is your favourite pick?

Would love to hear in the comments if you agree or disagree with my favourites. Or please add your own personal favourite too!