Retrospective on Crossing Borders
Learning from the past, designing for the future
Delft as a Venue
Delft’s compact city centre served as one large venue during the event. One hundred planners, buyers and event managers discovered inspiring locations, combined with a great programme and valuable networking opportunities. It was an intensive and inspiring day, full of learning opportunities and a great atmosphere!
Eureka
During Crossing Borders, we journeyed from the past to the present and the future of event management. Following a special opening address by Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, we began at the Oude Kerk, where chairperson Desiree Hoving and Dennis Luijer inspired us with various exercises to think from a new, different, Eureka (!) perspective. We then split into two groups and attended various breakout sessions covering everything from the past to the future:
Antoni van Leeuwenhoek as inspiration
During the ‘fall test’ session, we focused on finding innovative solutions, re-evaluating current approaches to increase the efficiency and impact of our events. This took place under the supervision of Ingrid Rip CED (Delft Convention Bureau) at the Prinsenhof Museum in Delft. Inspired by the microscope of Antoni van Leeuwenhoek – born and bred in Delft and the founder of microbiology – we delved further into a case study at the Huis van Meerten. Together with Rachel Viersma-Assen, we tackled the (organisational) challenges involved in recruiting volunteers for the ‘Delft living room’ at the Ronald McDonald House. By ‘zooming in’ on details and then ‘zooming out’ for a broader perspective, we learnt to look beyond the boundaries of our own ways of thinking and our industry. The sessions were interspersed with a delicious lunch in the heart of the city, on the sun-drenched terrace of De Waag Delft.
Tomorrow’s visitor
We delved further into the future at DOB-Academy, where, together with Desiree Hoving and Nicole Fontein from Delft University of Technology, we explored ‘Urbanism’ in greater depth by examining the current state of events and the events of the future. Through a game, we sought solutions to future challenges in our field, which we can expect to face over the next 5 to 10 years. We reflected on the mobility of tomorrow’s visitors. Syan Schaap and Sanne Kuipers took us through the ins and outs of crowd management at Hotel Arsenaal by WestCord Hotels. Using a real-life case study – the Feyenoord celebrations – we looked back at previous editions, discussed how to gain better control over crowds, and discovered the innovative techniques used to achieve this. From risk analysis, forecasting visitor flows and visitor behaviour to crowd density measurements, interactive communication and emergency preparedness; each of these insights improves the safety and efficiency of our events. We rounded off the day with drinks and an unmissable European Championship match at 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!