Amsterdam Innovation Arena presents Powering the Future – The Network Sessions

How to create an event experience?

The Amsterdam Innovation ArenA connects a community of innovators who collaborate to create the most innovative stadium in the world, powered by the Amsterdam ArenA. The Arena brings together the network once a month to exchange ideas. The Network Sessions bring in experts from the Netherlands and beyond, for an exchange of ideas in an informal setting. The events are free of charge.

Date and time: 25 September, 15.30 – 18.00
Location: Amsterdam ArenA

How to create event experience – lessons from the experts

How to transform an event into a meaningful experience? How to involve the audience? Which new and innovative services can be used? What role does an experience director play? What works well, and what is hard? What can we expect in the near future?

Program

15.30 Welcome at the Amsterdam Innovation Arena.

16.00 Start program

How to transform a personal activity into a mass audience event

• Jaap Visser, Managing director of ESL Benelux

When ESL (Electronic Sports League) started in 2000, it was just a meeting for game enthusiasts. Now the company runs events that bring together stadiums full of viewers, and millions of viewers online. How are they transforming a game into a spectacular experience?

• Lars Sang Mo Boom, Event Producer FormulaFPV and the master mind behind the Drone Racing World Series, and Lucas van der Eerde, Country Manager Zoomin TV

FormulaFPV wants the world to experience the beauty and power of drone racing, and wants to offer companies marketing experiences and live entertainment – and ZoominTV is keen to build out their online channel and add attractive events. But how can you make drone racing an interesting experience for those who can only watch?

How to make an event spectacular

• Bertie Cole, Co-founder & Director Arcadia Spectacular Ltd

Arcadia Spectacular Ltd is transforming recycled military and industrial hardware into dynamic sculptures and electrifying arenas. Arcadia apear in cities and festivals throughout the world. Arcadia follow a strong resouceful ethos and in 2015 developed the world's first recycled biofuel protechnic system which debuted at a central Bristol show to mark the city's year as European green capital.

• Marcel Surendonk, Head of Brand Partnerships @ Mojo Concerts/Live Nation NL

Marcel is responsible for connecting brands to our platforms like North Sea Jazz Festival, Lowlands, Pinkpop and Down The Rabbit Hole. These are brands that want to establish a lasting ‘organic human connection’ with the visitors. How can they enhance the experience of the event?

• Eric Keijer, Executive Event Director Europe bij SFX Entertainment, and Executive Event Director of Sensation.

What began eighteen years ago as a one-off in the Amsterdam ArenA, is now a worldwide phenomenon that takes place in stadiums and arenas around the globe. Sensation creates a new show every year to dazzle the senses. Committed to innovation and excellence, Sensation has earned the distinction of being The World's Leading Dance Event. It succeeds in creating an atmosphere of togetherness at even the most mammoth venues. With everyone dressed in white, the crowd is immersed in a tidal wave of unity and euphoria. On July 8th, Sensation 'The Final' was held at the Amsterdam ArenA. What did it take to build out the event to such an incredible experience? Eric Keijer has been Sensation's executive director since 2001 and shares his view of the event in a conversation about creativity, business and event engineering.

17.30 Drinks