HLN 2023
On February 17, 2023, an edition of Hotel Leaders Network took place in the Beurs van Berlage. The program was all about “The Workforce (R)evolution”. With inspiring speakers, the HLN Start-up Pitch and of course De Hotelrede. This was once again, an edition not to be missed!
Speakers Dominique Hermans and Jan Spooren emphasised the challenges of finding sufficient and qualified staff in the coming years, stressing that it is important for the hospitality sector to focus much more on engaging and developing people. At the HLN Start-up Pitch, three inspiring start-ups presented themselves to the hotel leaders present under the guidance of Stef Driessen (ABN AMRO). The winner was R8 Technologies, represented by Sebastiaan Jager. He managed to convince the audience with Jenny, an innovative AI solution for optimising climate control. This allows a hotel to achieve a substantial reduction in energy costs without investment costs by means of small interventions.
Cabaret artist Micha Wertheim took the day in his own humorous way in the traditional Hotel Speech. Giving a summary is impossible, but it was something about too many pillows on a hotel bed and the importance of ‘people-friendly’ light switches...
There were around 200 leading hotel leaders. Obviously the regular core but also quite a few new faces. People came from everywhere, from Maastricht to Groningen.
SOURCE: Hotelvak.eu
Programme
Programme: The Workforce (R)evolution
14:30 - 15:00 | Reception
15:00 - 17:00 | Programme
- Dominique Hermans (chief executive Randstad Northern Europe)
- Jan Spooren (Global Talent Development Leader Bose Corporation)
- HLN Start-up Pitch
- The Hotel speech by Micha Wertheim
17:00 - 19:00 | Walking Network Dinner
19:00 - 01:00 | Hotelvrijmibo XL “15-year anniversary”
— Visit the Hotelvrijmibo event page
Speakers
Dominique Hermans
Chief Executive Northern Europe
Dominique Hermans obtained a master's degree in industrial sciences and spent the first years of her career working as an engineer in various projects. This allowed her to get to know a number of companies from the inside and triggered her interest in the people side of business.
In 2001 she started working at Randstad in order to contribute to the success of companies based on this talent need. She started as a manager in Belgium and quickly progressed to regional director and national management.
After she became responsible for Tempo-Team in Belgium, she was asked to cross the border to the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands, she has successively led Tempo-Team, Randstad and the Randstad Group in recent years.
From 1/1/2023 she will be Chief Executive Northern Europe.
Jan Spooren
Global Talent Development Leader - Bose Corporation
Jan Spooren started his career in 1995 in the hotel industry in operations, after obtaining his MHS diploma. After a number of years in various departments, companies and jobs, he accidentally discovered his real passion: Learning & Development.
In 2000 he officially started working with his passion as Training Manager Benelux for Radisson Blu hotels, followed by a short 'pit stop' as Manager Education & Training at NS Stations and from there grew to Director, People Development at the Corporate Support Office of The Radisson Hotel Group in Brussels.
There he was responsible for the overall Corporate Learning & Development strategy and execution for 350 hotels, in 45 countries, for more than 45,000 employees.
In 2017 he made the transition from the hotel industry to the FMCG world and from research & development to the audio world and started working as a Global Talent Development Leader at one of the leading sound companies: BOSE Corporation.
HLN Start-up Pitch
Powered by ABN Amro
The HLN Start-up Pitch offers innovative start-ups, aimed at the hotel industry, the opportunity to present themselves to the decision makers within the hotel industry.
Roeland Verhamme
CEO Expect Me
Roeland is a hospitality addict who started his career 12 years ago at Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Today he is founder and CEO of Expect Me with the ambition to make a positive impact for the global hotel industry.
Expect Me helps hotels and their guests realize an enhanced hospitality experience. Thanks to our innovative platform, your guest can now choose the room themselves, just as easily as choosing a seat on an airplane.
Sebastiaan Jager
Area manager Netherlands
R8 Technologies
Sebastiaan improves buildings with technology. From a background in energy conservation, he saw that there is much more to do with data: improve buildings and processes in the field of energy efficiency, well-being, health, cost reduction, etc. With R8, he creates transparency, a better indoor climate and energy savings in commercial real estate.
With the digital operator Jenny from R8 Technologies, energy costs can be saved between 15 and 30%, without upfront investment. Let Jenny be your first digital employee working for you 24/7.
Bram Haenraets
Co-founder & CEO Viqal
After starting his career at Rabobank in 2013, Bram co-founded several startups focused on food tech or hospitality tech. In 2020, Bram co-founded Viqalop with Marcelo and Daniel with the mission to change the way hospitality companies use data and technology to deliver the best possible guest experience.
After starting his career at Rabobank in 2013, Bram co-founded several startups focused on food tech or hospitality tech. In 2020, Bram co-founded Viqalop with Marcelo and Daniel with the mission to change the way hospitality companies use data and technology to deliver the best possible guest experience.
The Hotelrede
The Hotelrede is an annual component of HLN in which a shares his outsider's view of the hotel industry. This year the honour goes to Micha Wertheim.
“Wertheim has a wonderfully contrarian way of thinking that he sets up very logically” – Trouw.
On his eighth birthday, Micha Wertheim (1972) receives a magic box as a gift. When the box is lost within half an hour, he realizes he has supernatural powers and buys a hat with matching cape. In Maastricht, where Micha is studying for a doctorate, he earns a pretty penny as a magician at parties. On the day when children start shouting 'Again!', he decides it's time to try his luck in the big city.
At the end of 1998 he signed up for the Open Podium in Toomler. After five years of performing in Toomler, someone shouts again: "Again!" The result is his first solo program; Micha Wertheim for Beginners.
Many solo programs have followed.
Location
Beurs van Berlage
The Beurs van Berlage exudes history and character. In 1903 it was already a bustling trading place and today it is a 'one in a million' conference location in the warm heart of Amsterdam. High quality and service, an impressive atmosphere and excellent facilities are central. A bustling location that one will not soon forget!
Hotspot since 1903
The Beurs van Berlage has been an international hotspot with charm since 1903. A building of grandeur. But also 'the place to be' in the soul of Amsterdam where special things happen every day. World-class events, fairs, expositions and conferences.
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