January | 2016 | Meet Mr. Holland Blog

In 2015 we saw a record-number of new hotel and venue openings in Holland. It’s pretty safe to say that there won’t be quite as many openings in 2016, but we have quite a few to get excited about. Here are the meeting hotels and venues that we are expecting 2016:

Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport – hotel

opened: December 2015

Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

Technically, Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport was the last hotel that opened in 2015. But since it was literally on the verge of 2016 I would like to include them in the 2016 list as well.

Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, part of the Accor Hotels Group, is conveniently located between Amsterdam Schiphol Airport and the city centre. This means it can be easily reached from the airport, while Amsterdam’s city centre is just around the corner as well. The modern hotel offers 17 meeting rooms with a capacity of up to 360 people. With 1.300m2/1.400ft2 flexible meeting space Novotel Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is suitable for large- and small scale events.

Best Western City Hotel Woerden – hotel

expected opening: February 2016

Bird’s Eye view of Woerden

The Best Western City Hotel Woerden is a smaller hotel located right in the scenic, so-called green heart of Holland right between the cities Utrecht and Gouda. If you are looking for a meeting hotel outside the hustle and bustle of the major cities Woerden is a very suitable location. The hotel is located in a scenic and historical environment and the local castle is just a short walk away. Utrecht is reachable by train in just 10 minutes. Best Western City Hotel Worden offers a meeting room with space for up to 40 people.

A’DAM – venue

expected opening: Spring 2016

A’DAM toren and EYE Film Museum at night

A’DAM is an eye-catching tower behind Amsterdam’s Central Station and right next to the equally eye-catching EYE Film Institute. The tower was originally comissioned by Royal Dutch Shell who used the location from 1971 – 2009. After extensive reconstruction A’DAM will re-open as multi-functional venue in the spring of 2016. Besides offices, A’DAM will be home to cafes, restaurants a hotel (Sir Adam, see below), an observation point and a revolving restaurant. It is safe to say that A’DAM offers the best 360 degree view of Amsterdam you will find. Getting to A’DAM is already part of the experience as you’ll have to take a ferry accross the IJ River. Whether you’ll be organizing your next event there or taking your delegates over for dinner or drinks, you will definitely make a lasting impression.

By the way, A’DAM is also short for ‘Amsterdam Dance and Music’ to reflect the business of its main tentants: world renowned Dutch music industry companies ID&T, AIR Events and Massive Music.

Sir Adam – hotel

expected opening: Summer 2016

A’DAM toren with Amsterdam skyline view

Sir Adam is the newest addition to SIR Hotels’ collection of luxury and boutique hotels and the little brother of the award winning Sir Albert, SIR Hotels’ first hotel in Amsterdam. The hotel will be located in the aforementioned A’DAM tower.

Besides aproximately 110 guest rooms the Sir Adam will offer plenty of creative space, a restaurant, terrace and destination bar. And while not much detail about the hotel is known yet, one thing is certain: Sir Adam will offer the most compelling skyline views of Amsterdam.

Mate Bruno Rotterdam – hotel

expected opening: Fall 2016

Mate Bruno Rotterdam

After opening its first Dutch venue in Amsterdam, Spanish hotel chain Room Mate chose Rotterdam for its second hotel in Holland. Mate Bruno will be located at the Wilhelminapier in Rotterdam in a historic building that was used to store tea back in the days. I’m very happy that during the reconstruction all characteristic and monumental elements of the building will be kept. The 4*-hotel will offer about 230 rooms and plenty of meeting facilities (details to follow). Not to forget a spectacular roof terrace with a beautiful view of Holland’s most impressive skyline.

And since its Spanish roots are important to the chain, there will be a Spanish market hall, a ‘mercado’, with several stores and eateries located on the main floor of the building. A touch of Spain in Rotterdam. Vamos a Mate Bruno en Rotterdam!

Postillion Hotel Amsterdam – hotel and conference centre

expected opening: September 2016 (conference centre) & September 2017 (hotel & additional conference space)

Postillion Hotel Amsterdam – artist impression

Dutch hotel chain Postillion Hotels will open its first location in Amsterdam in 2016. In September the brand new conference centre will opens its doors for up to 2.000 delegates. The conference centre will also host an exhibition space and flexible work spaces. A smart move from Postillion Hotels who will strenghten its position on the Dutch meeting and conference market with this new location. The adjacent hotel will open a year later, in September 2017, offering 300 rooms and additional meeting space for up to 2.000 people. Postillion Hotel Amsterdam’s location in Amsterdam North is very convenient for business travelers: Central Station, RAI Amsterdam and major highways are close by and there is ample parking space.

Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam City West – hotel

expected opening: early 2017

Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam City West

Technically, the new Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam City West is not opening in 2016, but in early 2017. I still think it’s well worth the mention already. Located just outside Amsterdam’s city centre, Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam City West is situated near multiple transport options, including train, tram, bus and major highways and offers plenty of on-site parking space. The hotel’s flexible meeting facilities include a ballroom, 17 meeting rooms and break-out areas. Park Inn by Radisson Amsterdam City West will offer just short of 500 Standard and Superior Rooms and Suites.

More hotels opening in Holland in 2016

1. Personalisation

People are individuals and they want to be treated as such – also when it comes to participating in meetings and events. The larger the event the more difficult it is to create a personal experience, but also the more important it is. Somewhat of a paradox, but personal, tailor made experiences can make or break an event in the eye of the beholder. To maximise (marketing) efforts, personalisation should be applied prior to, during and after an event. Relevant content, flexible programme options and social interaction & engagement opportunities are all means that can be used to offer a personal experience.

By the way, personalisation is a logical development from another mega trend that we started hearing about a couple of years ago: big data. Simply said, big data refers to collecting large amounts of available data and – most importantly extracting – value from this gathered information. In other words, big data is a necessary means for personalisation and the two go hand-in-hand.

2. Crowd streaming

When we talk about Live streaming it is usually the event professional or meeting organizer who is in charge of the broadcast. The organizer keeps full control over what is and isn’t broadcast and how. Crowd streaming on the other hand is user generated content. The stream is created by attendees of the event, which means that the event organizer cannot influence the broadcast. Periscope and Meerkat, tools that both surged in 2015, show great examples of crowd streaming.

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton is seen on the display of a phone as she speaks to members of the media after meeting with small business owners, Tuesday, May 19, 2015, at the Bike Tech cycling shop in Cedar Falls, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Live crowd stream of Hillary Clinton responding to questions (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Losing control over what is being broadcast might sound scary, but don’t be afraid. Crowd streaming is actually a great opportunity for the events industry. It’s a unique way to get attendees engaged, particularly those ‘attending’ remotely. Event professionals should embrace crowd streaming as a (content) marketing tool to attract (potential) attendees for future events. One thing to keep in mind though is the legal perspective for both live and crowd streaming: everything being broadcasted is subject to rights.

3. Shared economy for venues

screen shot HeadBox homepage

By now most of us have embraced the concept of social sharing. Airbnb and Uber, probably the most renowned social sharing companies, have become part of our daily lives. In 2016 this trend will likely expand more specifically to the meetings industry as well, with a number of ‘airbnb for venues’ platforms popping up. HeadBox and Splacer, for example. And that is a good thing as it offers a lot more flexibility for both supply and demand.

4. Safety First

Safety always has been and always will be part of the meetings and events industry, especially for large or high profile events. However, taking into account current affairs the pressure to ‘guarantee’ a safe environment for attendees and staff is increasing. While in the past safety might not necessarily have been one of the top priorities it will definitely be on the top of the list for a growing number of events. Just meeting the basic safety requirements will not be enough anymore. Event planners will have to go the extra mile to make everyone feel safe. Communicating openly about (extra) measures taken and action plans in case of a threat will make information more accessible for everyone involved.

5. Sustainability

A few years ago Green Meetings was a buzzword. While it’s been buzzing a bit less loud these past years, it definitely has not gone away. Quite on the contrary. In light of the recent Climate Change Conference in Paris it is clear that sustainability has to become the standard, not something you do to stand out.

The difference is that we are now focussing on more differentiated trends in the meetings industry. Digital itineraries, working with event apps rather than print-outs, chosing renewable resources, opting for green transportation, working with local suppliers, giving back to the community, digital goody bags – all trends that we see in the industry. And each single one of them is part of the larger sustainability trend. This one’s here to stay.