An interview with the founder of tech event DPW
To start, can you give us some background on DPW?
‘DPW is a procurement conference that focuses on technology and digitalisation, connecting big companies with start-up innovations. When I founded DPW, I wanted to create a new type of procurement conference. Procurement events are generally quite corporate and boring. I thought: we need something cool and exciting in procurement. So we organised our first event at the Beurs van Berlage in 2019. Today, in addition to our main event at the Beurs, we also do tech scouting and consulting, and organise other events.’
What made you choose the Beurs?
‘I was living in New York when I came up with the idea for DPW, but I decided to choose Amsterdam as the conference venue. I think it is easier to launch a conference in Europe than in North America. It’s more compact and more accessible. And then I chose Amsterdam because it’s a tech hub and a fun city. As I focused on creating a new experience, I knew the location would be crucial to the success of the event. I already knew the Beurs and knew it was the right place for our event. So I chose the Beurs van Berlage in 2019 and we have been there ever since.’
What do you like most about the Beurs?
“The great thing about the Beurs is the location. Amsterdam is a small city and the Beurs is so central. It is easily accessible by public transport from the airport and there is a lot to do in the area, so people can have a drink or go to a bar after the event. There are also many opportunities during the event to get people out of the venue for a break. For example, we do a lunch boat ride and then bring them back, all refreshed and ready for more insights. There are so many great options that you probably don’t have at other venues in Amsterdam. That’s definitely a strong point.”
What do you think of the venue itself?
“‘We love the Bourse. It’s not just a venue, it’s a statement. The overall look, the brick walls, the balconies, the high ceilings, it really offers that ‘wow experience’. In a small venue with low ceilings, you go crazy after two days, but the Bourse gives people room to breathe. The other thing I love is that everything is so well connected. I don’t think you can get lost in a venue like this.
Of course, there are some restrictions because it is a UNESCO monument. You can’t just put things up everywhere. But overall, I have to say that they allow us to do almost anything we want. They also have an in-house AV partner operating worldwide, so the technical and audiovisual support is great. Very professional.”
How would you rate the service and support from the Beurs van Berlage team?
“My main contact at the Beurs is Danielle. She is great, super responsive and helpful. I had a minor clash with her during the pandemic, which was obviously a challenging time for the events industry. But in the end, we happily came to an agreement. They are a great partner, especially in terms of communication. The event team on the floor is also great. They are the silent forces running the show behind the scenes.
The only small criticism I can think of is that they could challenge us a bit more creatively. But I also understand that can be difficult, given that they organise hundreds of big events a year.”
How do your visitors feel about the Beurs?
“We do not specifically ask about the venue in our surveys, because we already know it is great. What we do know is that people especially love the catering at the Beurs van Berlage. They serve the food in small bowls, making it almost like street food. It’s not a boring buffet where you sit down at a table. So the catering is great and the quality of the food is also very good. Visitors are also impressed with the overall look and feel of the event, which of course is partly due to the venue.”
Will you continue to host your event at the Beurs van Berlage in the future?
“We are lucky to be getting too big for the Fair. We will still be there in 2025, but we might need a bigger venue in 2026. We have had many discussions internally about this, because the Beurs has really contributed to the success of our event. We have been with them from the beginning, so it is part of our DNA.
But we really want to scale up our event, so we will have to move to a venue like the RAI. Of course we have more possibilities to build there, but it can never match the atmosphere and grandeur of the Fair. We are sad to leave, but sometimes you have to make decisions. We will never forget our years at the Beurs and they will always have a special place in our hearts.”