After more than two decades of dedication and leadership, Michiel Lindenbergh is saying goodbye to the Beurs van Berlage.
After more than two decades of dedication and leadership, Michiel Lindenbergh is saying goodbye to the Beurs van Berlage. Michiel began his career at the Beurs with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, one of the tenants at the time. Following the privatisation of the Beurs in 2008, he tirelessly worked to transform the Beurs van Berlage into a leading centre for conferences and events, both nationally and internationally. During his 23 years at the Beurs, Michiel played a crucial role in the development of various initiatives that have changed the face of the conference market in Amsterdam and the Netherlands. He was a board member and co-founder of the Dutch Venue Association, a long-time board member and chairman of the congress platform of CLC Vecta, an active member of ICCA, and the founding father and chairman of Unique Venues of Amsterdam. His efforts have helped Amsterdam, and by extension the Beurs van Berlage, secure a prominent place on the global map of event locations. As Commercial Director, Michiel successfully formed and led the commercial team for many years, making a significant contribution to the strategic direction and competitiveness of the Amsterdam Conference Centre. In this role, the Beurs became a 'one-stop shop' for congresses and events, where clients can find all aspects of an event; from catering to hotel accommodations, significantly increasing customer satisfaction. In his recent role as Special Projects Director, Michiel Lindenbergh has particularly focused on establishing the foundation “Stichting Palazzo Pubblico Amsterdam". This foundation aims to raise subsidies, sponsorships, donations, and funds to organise social, public, and cultural activities and finance restoration projects. Through these initiatives, the foundation helps keep the national monument Beurs van Berlage accessible and in optimal condition for the public. Marcel C.B. Schonenberg, Managing Director: “The Beurs van Berlage and its community are extraordinarily grateful to Michiel for his years of service and dedication. His influence will continue to be felt in the ongoing growth and success of the Beurs. We wish Michiel all the best for the future.”
News Michiel Lindenbergh leaves the Beurs van Berlage after 23 inspiring years
Amsterdam Conference Centre Beurs van Berlage is thrilled to announce the return of Lydia Baloe as Operations Director, effective January 8th.
News Lydia Baloe returns to the Beurs van Berlage as Operations Director
Amsterdam Conference Centre Beurs van Berlage is thrilled to announce the return of Lydia Baloe as Operations Director, effective January 8. Lydia, a familiar face at the Beurs, previously held this position before exploring various roles outside the company since June 2018. She originally joined the Beurs team in 2007, transitioning from the ‘Nederlands Philharmonisch Orkest’, and played a pivotal role in event management post-privatization in 2008.
Lydia’s return, with vast experience gained in the past five and a half years, marks a significant step towards sustainable growth and operational excellence at the Beurs. Marc de Winter, the current Operations Director, will transition to a role more closely aligned with his passion for driving the success of each event through direct customer interaction. Marc’s expertise, gained over more than a decade at the Beurs, is integral to our commitment to delivering exceptional and unforgettable event experiences. Marc’s tenure exceeds a decade, and his move to a new role reflects our commitment to employee satisfaction and organisational flexibility.
The collaboration between Lydia and Marc is a testament to their dedication and is a valuable asset to the Beurs van Berlage. Marcel Schonenberg, Beurs van Berlage’s Managing Director, confirms this by adding “I am incredibly proud and confident that with this adjustment and the return of Lydia, we can make another huge step in exceeding the expectations of our guests and customers”.
Amsterdam Conference Centre Beurs van Berlage, a national monument since 1903, works with stakeholders to produce events in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. Certified by Green Globe for the second year, Beurs van Berlage has pledged its support for the global goal of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5°C and reduce total global GHG emissions by 50% by 2030.
News | A National Monument to Sustainability
Amsterdam Conference Centre Beurs van Berlage, a national monument since 1903, works with stakeholders to produce events in a sustainable and socially responsible manner. Certified by Green Globe for the second year, Beurs van Berlage has pledged its support for the global goal of net zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5°C and reduce total global GHG emissions by 50% by 2030.
Willemijn de Vet, Senior Marketing Manager said, “At the Beurs van Berlage we want to make an impact in various ways. Impact with our monumental location, with the events that take place there, impact on the social front and as an attractive employer. Moreover, we want to make an impact by minimizing the impact of all our activities on the environment.
“We are the first monumental conference centre in the Netherlands to have received the Green Globe certificate. This certification provides us with a framework to continually improve our sustainability efforts. We are extremely proud to have received the Green Globe certificate for the second year in a row,” added Willemijn de Vet.
Read the rest of the interview on the Green Globe website.
Despite its historical character and monumental status, the Amsterdam Conference Centre – a bustling trading place since 1903 – does not fall behind when it comes to implementing the latest technology and keeping on track with sustainability. It shows to be a true thought leader when it comes to hosting events, innovation and sustainability.
Update | How to keep up with the latest technology and sustainability issues in a monumental events location?
Despite its historical character and monumental status, the Amsterdam Conference Centre – a bustling trading place since 1903 – does not fall behind when it comes to implementing the latest technology and keeping on track with sustainability. It shows to be a true thought leader when it comes to hosting events, innovation and sustainability.
Green GlobeTM Re-certification
For the second year in a row, the Beurs van Berlage has managed to renew its Green GlobeTM Certification. Green Globe is a prestigious global programme dedicated to advancing sustainable travel and tourism.
Restoration and preservation
During the summer months, the main entrance of the Beurs van Berlage was in scaffolding. Special attention was paid to the roof, in this phase of the restoration and preservation project.
Important to know, Beurs van Berlage’s mission goes beyond preserving a historic monument; they lead it into a sustainable future. From revitalizing the facades to roofing, gutter systems and intricate leadwork, their commitment to maintaining excellence is evident in every detail.
Energy consumption
Also good to put in the spotlight: 330 ‘Stallinga’ lamps. Since April 2014, the Beurs has had lamps specially designed by Studio Stallinga. This week all these lamps will be replaced by new LED lamps.
The old LED lamps consumed approximately 10% of the annual energy consumption, but with the new LED lamps this is reduced to only 4%. This means a huge saving of 6% on the Beurs van Berlage’s total energy consumption per year.
Executive lounge with Speaker Service Centre
A space, fully furnished in the style of architect Berlage himself, where organisers can work comfortably and still be involved in the event, due to its central location in the Beurs – the Beurs van Berlage Executive Lounge.
A space also equipped with a state-of-the-art Speaker Service Centre, so last minute adjustments can be made to presentations, which are then sent to the right stage in an instant.
No subsidies of external funding
The Beurs van Berlage does not receive any government subsidy or other funds that could help maintain the monument. The maintenance is solely possible thanks to the clients who put their trust in the Beurs and organise their event in the heart of Amsterdam. Clients such as Booking.com, VISA and Siemens – to name but a few – who organised their conference at the Beurs earlier this year. The income generated from these events, is put directly back into the monument to ensure that future generations can enjoy this beautiful monument.
More information
For more information, please phone the sales & events team on +31 20 531 33 55.
VHC Jongens and Rijkswaterstaat are starting a pilot to test how an electric truck can deliver products to the catering industry in the center of Amsterdam as cleanly and effectively as possible. Catering wholesaler VHC Jongens was the first in the Netherlands to purchase an electric, relatively small truck with refrigeration and freezer compartments of 7.5 t for this purpose.
News | Sustainable supply with an electric truck
Sustainable supply with an electric truck
VHC Jongens and Rijkswaterstaat are starting a pilot to test how an electric truck can deliver products to the catering industry in the center of Amsterdam as cleanly and effectively as possible. Catering wholesaler VHC Jongens was the first in the Netherlands to purchase an electric, relatively small truck with refrigeration and freezer compartments of 7.5 t for this purpose.
VHC Jongens strives for a total concept for “clean and smart supply” of its customers. This includes emission-free transport with small trucks. The catering wholesaler has been looking for a vehicle that weighs a maximum of 7.5 tons, but also has sufficient battery capacity for refrigerated and frozen transport to be able to supply customers within the Amsterdam ring road flexibly and sustainably.
The truck is emission-free and equipped with solar panels to recharge the batteries in the meantime. This guarantees that the home base can be reached in order to continue charging there. VHC has sufficient charging facilities not only for this truck, but also for the expansion of the electric vehicle fleet. Because the truck weighs 7.5 t, quays and bridges in the center of Amsterdam are not subjected to any extra load.
Customer and driver experiences
“The introduction of a new truck on the Dutch market has taken a lot of effort. But we are very proud to be the first food service company that can supply our customers sustainably and quietly. Customers are increasingly asking to come up with a sustainable total solution, with our food products, but also with sustainable transport. We do everything for a smart business”, says Ed Vleugel, manager transport at VHC Jongens.
Marcel Schonenberg, Managing Director of the Beurs van Berlage and board member of the Amsterdam City Association. “Beurs van Berlage considers sustainability to be of paramount importance. In the context of our CSR policy, sustainability has many aspects, in the building, a national monument, but also in the relationships with our suppliers. We have great appreciation for VHC Jongens who want to be a leader in sustainability and the step they are taking with this new electric truck”.
The experiences will be monitored for each party, both individually and collectively, by VHC Jongens with the support of Rijkswaterstaat. This includes CO2 emissions, road safety, facilities for charging infrastructure, range and load capacity. Customers are increasingly demanding sustainable supplies. Their experiences with sustainable transport and deliveries outside window times are also part of the pilot. Drivers are asked about their driving experience with the new truck, also in terms of road safety (other road users hardly hear the vehicle).
Yvonne de Boer, Logistics Program Coordinator Rijkswaterstaat West-Nederland Noord: “In the Smart and Sustainable program we try to reduce the pressure on the road network and CO2 emissions by accelerating innovations and supporting entrepreneurs who put smart and sustainable solutions into practice. Together with VHC Jongens, we will monitor the results and compare them with delivery by diesel trucks.
Meanwhile, VHC Jongens has trained some of the company’s drivers to drive the truck. A number of customers have been selected to be able to supply them sustainably. The municipality of Amsterdam offers flexibility regarding window times, because this is one of the ways to achieve the objectives of zero-emission transport in the city center ahead of the introduction of ZE zones in 2025. “The municipality of Amsterdam welcomes the fact that entrepreneurs are coming up with smart solutions to contribute to zero emission deliveries in the city centre. Moreover, more use will have to be made of small trucks due to the limited carrying capacity of quays and bridges,” says Hans van den Berg, strategic communication advisor logistics020 municipality of Amsterdam.
In addition to small trucks, VHC Jongens is also preparing sustainable transport with large electric vehicles that will mainly be used on the Amsterdam ring road and in the region. Three 19t electric trucks have already been ordered and two more 7.5t trucks will be added during the year. VHC Jongens strives for a fully sustainable electric fleet in 2024 in Amsterdam.
