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Creating unique experiences

Let's talk events! 

Hosting | Organizing | Speaking 

During my professional career, I have been responsible for developing, designing, and organizing international events creating unique experiences for international clients, suppliers, and colleagues. From multiple-day events such as Corporate Meetings, Retail Congresses, or Global Sales Meetings to one-off unique meetings such as 10-year jubilee events, Christmas parties, or team events. Both online and offline and always from concept development to execution. 

 

 

Creating unique experiences

EMD 35 years jubilee event - september 2024

I had the absolute pleasure of organizing the European Marketing Distribution’s (EMD) 35th jubilee event in Zurich at the stunning Dolder Hotel AG with over 250 delegates. All the hard work leading up to the event, my 27,000+ steps, and more than 20 hours of being "on it" on the event day itself paid off! 🏃‍♂️💪

 

 

We had inspiring plenary sessions, with captivating art created live by the incredible sand wizard Gert van der Vijver, and a thought-provoking keynote by Doug Stephens 🌟. The afternoon was filled with meaningful 1-on-1 networking opportunities, bringing together both the private label industry and the a-brand industry; a truly unique aspect of EMD! 🌍🤝


The evening kicked off with a Swiss-themed welcome, followed by an aperitif, a beautiful group photo, and a lovely dinner, serenaded by the amazing Debbie Sledge 🎤🎶. To top it all off, every delegate left with a little memento: a goody bag that included the group picture from the evening! 📸

I’m incredibly grateful to the project team, and especially to Philippe Gruyters, for your trust in me—it has been such a pleasure working with you and feeling like part of the EMD family 💙. A special thanks to Edwin Verheul for the first connection and the beautiful note you sent me Friday morning 😊. Huge shoutout to Rene Schneider, Dom Parkinson, Jonathan Taylor, Matthew Parle, and the entire Cosaris team for their incredible work on the event app, communications, moderation, and more 🙌.

And last but definitely not least… the “Power Rangers” Daniela Steinegger and Franziska Stucki. Without you 2, this event would have been much harder to pull off and a lot less fun! 💥💃🕺

One of my highlights? A completely unexpected reunion with my first manager ever… César Ruesgas Fernández, after more than 30 years! 😲✨

EMD 35 Years Jubilee Event - the after movie

MD 35 years jubilee event: Together for Success

MD 35 years jubilee event: Together for Success

Quote from a partner

I have been working with Koen as a producer for almost 20 years. Together we have realized many major international events. Koen is a detail man. Conceptually and organizationally, he is a great added value for every client who wants a “different” event. Koen always goes for the best. I can highly recommend his knowledge and approach, especially for corporate retail events.

Marc van Laere - CEO Marc van Laere Producties

Koen’s talents, insights, and expertise have made our event a huge success and extremely highly rated by all our guests. Koen made our event an unforgettable experience. Especially his eye for detail, meticulous planning, and easy-going management during the day made us from EMD focus fully on our guests, while the practicalities were safe and well in the caring hands of Koen.

Philippe Gruyters - Managing Director Eurpean Marketing Distribution

You are a professional, an adapter, and a champion. If I was in a fix I would want you in my corner. It was a huge pleasure working alongside you and being inspired by your can-do attitude.

Jonathan Taylor - Head of Creative at Cosaris

Relevant Retail Projects

Let's talk projects!

With over 30 years of international retail experience, I support retail organizations with several kinds of projects: from being a mystery shopper, to shop improvement procedures, from (loyalty) marketing projects to management consultancy, and from setting up and hosting retail experience tours to innovation-related retail assignments. By sharing my retail knowledge with you, I will contribute some (new?) perspectives to your retail business; on an interim or project basis.

So, let's talk retail!

Relevant Retail Projects

Projects I am proud of:

Standi: my patented innovation

Standi: my patented innovation

Unmanned and automated retail, that is not our future, it’s our present. The upsurge of self-checkout is allowing a quick and easy ‘just walk out’ experience that many find fascinating. However, as an increasing number of shoppers leave the store without any interaction with a cashier, when I was working for BrandLoyalty, I was left wondering how does this impact high-frequency retailers. At the same time, it challenged me to create a way to distribute stamps and flatpack even if the shoppers opt for a self-service checkout. All that without the need of integration into the POS system of the retailer. Short conclusion: in less than 11 months, I went from an idea, moonshot if you will, to a working device which has even received a patent!

Things we see in retail & loyalty

Things we see in retail & loyalty

I believe the biggest advantage working for a global company was the ability to connect to all mayor food retailers around the world and bring global insights to a local client. In over more than 50 editions of my monthly newsletter "Things we see in retail and loyalty", I shared relevant news in the world of grocery retail and loyalty.

Some quotes from my clients:

Koen consistently wins not only exciting projects but also participants‘ hearts and minds during the worthwhile training sessions and education he delivers. He blends strategic thinking with incredible energy, powerful yet relaxed speech, and an in-depth ability to motivate and empower any audience. His passion for Loyalty Marketing is translated into his outstanding results.

Edward Nieuwland - Lecturer ORM Avans | Experienced Data Story Teller & Shopper Insights Practitioner

I have been working with Koen as a producer for almost 20 years. Together we have realized many major international events. Koen is a detail man. Conceptually and organizationally, he is a great added value for every client who wants a “different” event. Koen always goes for the best. I can highly recommend his knowledge and approach, especially for corporate retail events.

Marc van Laere - CEO Marc van Laere Producties

You are a professional, an adapter, and a champion. If I was in a fix I would want you in my corner. It was a huge pleasure working alongside you and being inspired by your can-do attitude.

Jonathan Taylor - Head of Creative at Cosaris

Let's talk about speaking at | hosting of | organizing your event!

Some of my partners / clients:

International Shopper Marketing Institute
European Marketing Distribution