Retrospective on Crossing Borders
Learning from the past, designing for the future
Delft as Venue
Delft's compact city centre functioned as one big venue during the event. One hundred planners, buyers and event managers discovered inspiring locations, combined with a good programme and valuable networking moments. It was an intensive and inspiring day, full of instructive moments and conviviality!
Eureka
During Crossing Borders, we went from the past to the present and the future of event management. After a special opening by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, we started in the Oude Kerk where chairman of the day Desiree Hoving and Dennis Luijer inspired us with various assignments to think from a new, different, Eureka (!) perspective. We then travelled in 2 groups to various sub sessions from the past to the future:
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek as inspiration
During the 'fall test' session, we focused on finding innovative solutions, reviewing current views to increase the efficiency and impact of our events. This was supervised by Ingrid Rip CED(Delft Convention Bureau) at Museum Prinsenhof Delft. Inspired by the microscope of Delft born and bred Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, the founder of microbiology, we delved further into a case study at the Huis van Meerten. We got to work with Rachel Viersma-Assen on (organisational) challenges for recruiting volunteers for the Delft living room of the Ronald McDonald House. By 'zooming in' on details and then 'zooming out' for a broader understanding, we learned to look beyond the boundaries of our own thought patterns and industry. The sessions were interspersed with a delicious lunch in the heart of the city, on the sun-drenched terrace of De Waag Delft.
The visitor of tomorrow
We delved further into the future at DOB-Academy where, together with Desiree Hoving and Nicole Fontein of TU Delft, we delved deeper into 'Urbanism' by looking at the current state of events and the event of the future. Through a game, we looked for solutions to future challenges in our field, which we can expect in the next 5 to 10 years. We thought about the mobility of tomorrow's visitors. Syan Schaap and Sanne Kuipers took us into the field of Crowd Management at Hotel Arsenaal by WestCord Hotels. On the basis of a real life case, the Feyenoord inaugurations, we looked back at previous editions, discussed how to get a better grip on your crowd and discovered which innovative techniques are used to do so. From risk analysis, predicting visitor flows and visitor behaviour to pressure measurements, interactive communication and preparing for emergencies; these are all insights that improve the safety and efficiency of our events. We ended the day with drinks and an unmissable European Championship match in Theater de Veste.
On behalf of Delft Convention Bureau, we would like to thank all participants, partners, sponsors and volunteers for a fantastic edition of Crossing Borders in Delft!
Luckily we still have the photos, look here for an impresse of the day!