Business Process Improvement

**Welcome to our June UX Beers in Brussels!** This time, we will host our event on Tuesday the 9th of June at [DUX](https://www.dux.agency) in Brussels. [Ariad](https://www.ariadgroup.com/) and [Creative Skills](https://www.creativeskills.be/) sponsor our events. 📺 Follow the event online? We stream live via [Youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBqyTDAyQBw) \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# UX TALKS **Talks:** **Speaker 1: Remy Florean** **The Stakes of UX Research: Consequences, impact, politics...** UX research is never “just” about testing interfaces, it shapes decisions, influences stakeholders, and can have very real business and human consequences. In this talk, Remy Florean explores how the way we communicate research findings must adapt to different audiences. He will also dive into the political dimension of UX research, where insights can become powerful tools in broader organizational dynamics. **Speaker panel 2: Sacha Kocovski, David Morgan, Joannes Vermeulen & Kathleen Van den Keybus** **Surviving the evolution of the UX industry.** *Moderated by Karol Dulat* The UX industry is changing fast. AI, shifting business priorities, and evolving roles are reshaping design and research in real time. Join a conversation with Belgian UX and Research leaders on how UX professionals can adapt, survive, and grow in this new era. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SCHEDULE 18:00 - Doors open. Drinks & snacks 19.00 - 19.15 - Introduction to UX Belgium Meetup, announcements 19.15 - 19:50 - Talk #1 19:50 -20:10 - BREAK 20:10 - 21:00 - Talk #2 20:45 - 21:30 - Socialize \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# SLACK CHANNEL We have our own UX Belgium slack channel. [Come join us and say hi!](https://join.slack.com/t/ux-belgium/shared_invite/zt-1bjpnuiog-T4Di4flXYPWgbT9KrZ53CA) \*\*\* \#\#\# YOUTUBE CHANNEL All our livestreams and talks are recorded and available on our [UX Belgium youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCno7V18T-EglYXprgrUZQ7A). \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- \#\#\# ABOUT UX BELGIUM UX Belgium is a growing community of User Experience (UX) professionals in and around Belgium. Look for these types of events: UX Beers Periodically, we gather at a different company, agency or venue to drink beers, network and listen to speakers on various themes in the world of UX and digital design. UX Antwerp: Each last Tuesday of the month UX Brussels: Each second Tuesday of the month, 4x per year UX Hasselt: 4x per year UX Workshops Now and then we organize events to dive deeper into specific skills and techniques in UX. These are smaller, hands-on workshops designed to boost your UX toolbox. \*\*\* The UX Belgium Meetup Team

**Uitnodiging \| Kennissessie** **Cloud Native: Insights Unlocked** *Kubernetes 1.36, platform governance & policy automation.* Kubernetes‑releases volgen elkaar in hoog tempo op. De druk op governance, security en beheersbaarheid neemt toe. Platformteams moeten snelheid combineren met controle zonder innovatie te remmen. Tijdens Cloud Native: Insights Unlocked nemen de experts van Conclusion Xforce je mee in de technische ontwikkelingen die er nú écht toe doen voor moderne Kubernetes‑platformen. Geen theorie om de theorie, maar inzichten uit de praktijk van platform engineering. **Je ontdekt:** * Kubernetes 1.36: wat is er nieuw wat betekent dit voor jouw platform? * De stand van zaken rondom de Kubernetes Gateway API * Governance binnen Kubernetes: VAP, OPA en Kyverno in samenhang * Policy automation en het alternatieve gebruik van Kyverno als pragmatische “brown tape” * Identity & secrets management: SPIFFE en External Secrets Manager (incl. demo) * Een eerlijke blik op de technische realiteit van platform engineering **Agenda** * 17:00 – 17:30 Ontvangst * 17:30 – 18:15 Eten * 18:15 – 19:15 Presentaties – deel 1 * 19:15 – 19:30 Pauze * 19:30 – 20:30 Presentaties – deel 2 **Aanmelden** Meld je snel aan en laat je inspireren 🚀 ‼️ Als je je aanmeldt, rekenen we op je aanwezigheid i.v.m. catering. Kun je niet? Meld je op tijd af om voedselverspilling te voorkomen!!

**Um was geht es dieses mal?** **Barrierefreiheit automatisiert testen - Anna Maier (codecentric)** "Barrierefreiheit – ein Produkt für alle nutzbar machen - ist ein komplexes Thema. Bei der Entwicklung barrierefreier Software müssen viele Anforderungen berücksichtigt werden. Ein großes Problem ist, dass das Testen ein weitgehend ein manueller Prozess ist. Das kollidiert mit den schnellen Veröffentlichungszyklen moderner Software. Wie können wir unser Tempo beibehalten und gleichzeitig sicherstellen, dass das Produkt zugänglich bleibt? In diesem Vortrag gebe ich euch das Handwerkszeug, um euch in Hinblick auf Barrierefreiheit besser abzusichern. Dabei lernen wir zunächst automatische Tools und ihre Möglichkeiten und Grenzen kennen. Danach schauen wir auf Strategien zum Schreiben eigener Tests mit gängigen Testframeworks. Abschließend schauen wir uns an, wie KI uns in dieser Hinsicht unterstützen kann" **Hybrides Setup!** Wir freuen uns, euch bei uns in den Räumen der codecentric AG in Dortmund willkommen zu heißen. Vor Ort versorgen wir euch mit Snacks und Getränken und freuen uns gleichzeitig über interessante Diskussionen und einen guten Austausch. Für alle, die es nicht zu uns ins Office schaffen, werden wir das Meetup Hybrid durchführen. Der Stream beginnt ca. 10 Minuten später, damit wir vor Ort ausreichend Möglichkeit für persönliches Kennenlernen haben. Den Live-Stream findet ihr auf dem [YouTube-Channel](https://www.youtube.com/@codecentricAG) der codecentric AG. **Wichtig - Absage bitte rechtzeitig:** Wir bestellen das Essen bereits 3 Tage vor dem Meetup. Falls ihr doch verhindert sein solltet, bitten wir euch um eine rechtzeitige Absage. Das ist wichtig, damit wir nicht unnötig Essen verschwenden müssen. Vielen Dank für euer Verständnis! **Anreise:** Per Zug: Vom Dortmunder HBF sind es ca. 10 Minuten zu Fuß. Mit dem Auto: Rund um das Office gibt es einige Parkflächen, dazu befinden sich in dem Parkhaus der Thier-Galerie weitere Parkplätze.

**3D Workshop** * **Ontwerpen met Fusion360** * **Scannen in 3D** * **Het gebruik van 3D printers** **Je bent nu welkom in de nieuwe locatie NewTechPark** Je kunt ook online aan deze fysieke bijeenkomst deelnemen. De bijeenkomst is dan op de locatie te volgen. Als je [hier](w.j.put@hccnet.nl) vooraf een mailtje stuurt kun je dinsdagavond tussen 19.00 en 20.00 uur inloggen met Jitsi voor vragen, of ter kennismaking met hcc!3D. Online neem je deel aan de bijeenkomst met [https://wij.hcc.nl/3D](https://wij.hcc.nl/3D) [(Alleen toegang als je zichtbaar bent met voor- en achternaam. )](https://wij.hcc.nl/3d)

​Join **AI Signals** and **LangChain Community London** for an evening of technical talks, practical insights, networking, and community conversations around the future of AI applications. ​This meetup brings together developers, founders, researchers, students, product teams, and AI builders to explore how modern AI systems are being designed, deployed, and scaled in the real world. ​The evening will focus on **AI agents, RAG pipelines, LangChain, production-ready AI workflows, storytelling in AI, and practical lessons from people actively building with emerging technologies**. *** ## ​Schedule ​6:00 PM — Doors open, pizza, drinks, and networking ​6:30 PM — Welcome ​6:35 PM — [Anshul Yadav](https://www.linkedin.com/in/anshulyadav1976/?utm_source=luma): AI Engineer @ Li & Fung The Agent Is Not the Product: The Harness Is ​7:00 PM — Break ​7:15 PM — [Bilge Aksu](https://www.linkedin.com/in/bilge-aksu-90595837/?utm_source=luma): ML Engineering Manager @ Cleo ​7:40 PM — Lightning Talk 1: [Abd Bastola](https://www.linkedin.com/in/abda-bastola-b0447b13a/?utm_source=luma): Senior Software Engineer @ AWTG ​Why Most AI Agents Never Reach Production ​7:47 PM — Lightning Talk 2: [Sofía Sánchez-Zárate](https://www.linkedin.com/in/sof%C3%ADa-s%C3%A1nchez-z%C3%A1rate-91493381/?utm_source=luma): Head of Technical Ecosystem @ CopilotKit ​AG-UI & The Generative UI Spectrum ​7:54 PM — AI Signals Wrap-Up ​8:00 PM — LangChain Final Remarks ​8:10 PM – 9:00 PM — Wrap-Up, Networking and drinks at [Angel London](https://g.co/kgs/3FVpa2i?utm_source=luma) *** ## ​What to Expect ​The evening will feature technical and practical discussions around: * ​Building reliable AI agents and intelligent workflows * ​RAG pipelines for real-world applications * ​Moving AI prototypes into production * ​Storytelling, design, and user experience in AI products * ​Lessons from AI builders, engineers, product leaders, and community speakers ​Whether you are experimenting with AI agents, deploying RAG systems, exploring LangChain, or simply curious about where AI development is heading, this meetup is designed to help you learn, connect, and contribute. *** ## ​Who Should Attend ​This event is ideal for: * ​Software engineers * ​AI and ML practitioners * ​Product managers * ​Founders and startup teams * ​Researchers and students * ​Designers working with AI products * ​Anyone interested in building practical AI applications ​You’ll gain insight into the tools, architectures, and workflows behind the next generation of intelligent applications, while connecting with the growing London AI and LangChain community. *** ## ​Important Information ​Please note that attendees will not be able to enter the venue before **6:00 PM**. ​RSVPs will close **24 hours before the event**. You may be unable to register after this time, but remote viewing will be available via our YouTube channel. ​Our hosts may require a list of all attendees. Please register using a name that matches your **government-issued ID or bank card**. If your registered name does not match your ID, we cannot guarantee entry to the building. ​If you can no longer attend in person, please un-RSVP so your space can be made available to someone else. *** ## ​About AI Signals ​**AI Signals** is a community focused on exploring the latest developments in artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, and practical AI adoption. It brings together builders, learners, and professionals interested in understanding how AI is shaping the future of work, business, and society. *** ## ​About LangChain Community London ​**LangChain Community London** brings together developers, AI engineers, researchers, and technology enthusiasts interested in building applications powered by large language models, agents, retrieval-augmented generation, and production AI systems. *** ​A huge thank you to our speakers, sponsors, hosts, volunteers, and community members for making this event possible. ​**Secure your place and join us for an evening of learning, collaboration, and AI community energy in London.**

Op 9 juni 2026 organiseren we Copilot Connect: Powering Marketing & Sales, een editie speciaal voor professionals in marketing en sales. Centraal staat de vraag: hoe zet je Microsoft Copilot slim in om je werk als marketeer of salesprofessional te versterken? We delen praktijkervaringen, gaan in op concrete toepassingen en kijken samen vooruit. Wat werkt al, wat zijn de uitdagingen, en hoe haal je meer uit Copilot in jouw dagelijkse werkpraktijk? Deze editie organiseren we samen met C4S (Copilot 4 Sales), experts in het toepassen van AI binnen sales en marketing. **👥 Voor wie is dit event?** Dit event is interessant voor: * Marketeers en salesprofessionals die Copilot willen inzetten in hun dagelijkse werk * Managers en beslissers die willen ontdekken wat AI betekent voor hun marketing- en salesteams * IT- en adoptieconsultants die klanten begeleiden in marketing- en salescontexten * Microsoft-partners en concullega's binnen het ecosysteem **🎤 Sprekers** * Eelco van Buchem en Pierre Vanderfeesten over AI als motor voor sales en marketing * Roland Driesen over wat AI strategisch betekent voor commerciële teams **📍 Praktische informatie** **📅 Datum:** Dinsdag 9 juni 2026 **📍 Locatie:** Brthrs, Plompetorengracht 4, Utrecht **🍽️ Eten en drinken:** Inbegrepen **⏰ Tijdschema:** 17\.00 uur: Inloop \| 17\.30 uur: Diner \| 18\.00 uur: Start sessies **🤝 Over Copilot Connect** Copilot Connect is een community voor iedereen die verder wil met Copilot. We brengen mensen samen om kennis te delen, vragen te stellen en van elkaar te leren. Praktisch, open en community-gedreven. Meld je aan en sluit je aan bij de Copilot Connect community. *Let op: dit evenement is Nederlandstalig.*

Welcome to the age of the Agentic Stack, where we bridge the gap between deterministic engineering and the new frontier of autonomous systems. We’ll explore how to build AI agents that fulfill the security, reliability, and automation requirements for the enterprise, and how the entire Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is being rebuilt from the ground up by agentic IDEs. **THIS MEETUP will be in ENGLISH and HYBRID\. \|** Zoom Link is visible for remote attendees after registration. **\*\*\* AGENDA \*\*\*** * 6:30\-7:00 PM \| Doors open\. Grab some snacks & drinks\. * 7:00 PM \| Welcome & Intro **Start of the hybrid meetup** * 7:05 PM \| **The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in the age of AI Agents** by Harald Seipp (Principal Client Engineering EMEA Solution Architect & STSM at IBM) & Thomas Südbröcker (Senior Engineer and Solution Architect at IBM) * around 8:05 PM \| **Mastering Multi-Agent Systems with the Agentic Layer** \- Florian Mallmann \(Senior Software Engineer at QAware\) * afterwards: More snacks & drinks, and a lot of time for networking with all attendees and speakers. **\*\*\* ABSTRACTS \*\*\*** **The Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) in the age of AI Agents - Harald Seipp (Principal Client Engineering EMEA Solution Architect & STSM at IBM) & Thomas Südbröcker (Senior Engineer and Solution Architect at IBM)** This session explores how agentic AI is reshaping every phase of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), transforming development workflows from requirements gathering to maintenance. Using IBM’s perspective on agentic IDEs, the presentation demonstrates how AI‑driven tools can autonomously understand context, plan and execute multi‑step tasks, generate code and tests, refactor across entire codebases, and assist in deployment and troubleshooting. Attendees will learn how these capabilities reshape developer roles, accelerate solution workshops and pilot builds, and enable teams to deliver more with fewer resources. Risks, best practices, and the evolving future of autonomous SDLC pipelines are also discussed, offering a pragmatic view of how to adopt agentic development responsibly and effectively. If time permits, we can also provide a brief look at agentic Ops, including a Kubernetes cluster administration live demonstration. **Mastering Multi-Agent Systems with the Agentic Layer - Florian Mallmann (Senior Software Engineer at QAware)** The software landscape is undergoing a paradigm shift. Agentic AI. While microservices operate deterministically, AI agents act probabilistically and often unpredictably, making them autonomous. This presents a significant challenge for platform engineers and DevOps teams. In this talk, we will demonstrate how our open source [Agentic Layer](https://github.com/agentic-layer) helps to develop agents that meet high enterprise standards for security and reliability. We will showcase a live demonstration of three critical pillars for robust AI development: * **Workload Orchestration:** Discover how we define modular agent logics and chain them together to create highly efficient, scalable workflows. * **Quality Plane (Testability):** Say goodbye to the "prompt lottery." We will demo how to implement automated test cases that make the output quality and logical correctness of your agents objectively measurable. * **Compliance Plane (Guardrails):** See "security through technology" in action. We'll show you how to write and deploy real-time guardrails that prevent personally identifiable information (PII) leaks and ensure strict adherence to regulatory requirements. Whether you are building your first agent or scaling an existing system, this live demo will give you practical insights into deploying safe, predictable, and high-performing AI applications. \*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\* Please note that photos are taken during the meetup. If you do not want to appear in the photos, please contact the meetup team at the beginning of the event. \*\*\* Während unserer Meetups werden Fotos aufgenommen. Falls du nicht auf den Fotos erscheinen möchtest, sprich bitte zu Beginn der Veranstaltung mit unserem Meetup Team.

Improv for Life Weekend workshop Improv for your personal development. Playful. Powerful. Transformative. What if real life could feel more like improv—full of joy, connection, creativity, and flow? Improv for Life is a one-of-a-kind course that blends the magic of improvisation with personal development. It’s not about being funny or performing on stage (though that might happen too!)—it’s about learning to navigate life with more presence, courage, and flexibility. In this course, you’ll uncover the hidden wisdom in improv games and exercises, and apply it to real-life challenges in a way that’s light, energizing, and deeply impactful. You’ll practice life-changing skills like: Being fully present Listening deeply Relating authentically Acting with courage Finding meaning in the moment And explore rich, human themes. Whether you’re a professional, a creative, or a curious human navigating change, Improv for Life offers a safe, playful space to shift stuck patterns, unlock your creativity, and reconnect with what makes you feel truly alive. Course Structure: Four full days, split into **two independent weekend workshops** — join one or both! **If you are new to improv it is recommended that you do Workshop 1 before you do Workshop 2.** #### **Workshop 1: Play, Presence & Relationships (16-17 May)** **Saturday**: We’ll explore the playful side of being human — how we learn and grow through curiosity, experimentation, and even failure. At the heart of this is presence: being fully in the moment, responding to what is actually happening rather than what we think should happen. **Sunday**: We’ll focus on the relational side of being human — how our identity is shaped and revealed in connection with others. #### **Workshop 2: Polarities, Stories & Meaning (13-14 June)** **Saturday**: We’ll explore the inner tensions we all carry — the different pulls, needs, and paradoxes within us. Instead of fixing them, we’ll practice holding them with presence and curiosity, and see what wisdom emerges. **Sunday**: We’ll explore how we create meaning through stories — how patterns form in our lives, and how shaping or breaking those patterns can lead to more honest and life-giving stories. **Sign up** by clicking the blue button on [Improv for life - Improv Utrecht](https://www.improvutrecht.nl/improv-for-life/) or go to improv-utrecht.weticket.io ### **Pricing**: * €279 per workshop * ***Early bird***\*:\* €209 per workshop (until 1 month in advance) * **Both workshops**: €379 * all prices are including 21% VAT, ask Marieke for a specific invoice What previous participants say: “I feel more resourceful, more playful—and more me.” “Before, I thought my life was a mess. Now I know—that’s just a story I tell myself.” “It helped me see that I can choose my story, embrace both the good and the bad, and stay open to possibility.” “I used to think I had no control over anything—but now I know that with awareness, I can influence a lot of outcomes.” More about the facilitator: Burgert Kirsten is an Organizational Psychologist with a passion for unlocking adaptive, innovative, and integrated ways of working in teams and organizations. His Master’s research—focused on using improvisational theatre practices to spark workgroup innovation—was published in the South African Journal of Industrial Psychology. He holds multiple certifications in individual and team coaching, accredited by the International Coach Federation, and has facilitated leadership, team innovation, and creative collaboration workshops for top South African business schools, leading companies, and international conferences. Burgert Kirsten trained in improv at the renowned iO Theater in Chicago and performed for many years with Lagnes, South Africa’s longest-running Afrikaans improv group, which toured nationally and even had its own TV series.

Come play improv theatre in English and kick off your Friday evening with laughter, creativity and new people. This [drop-in workshop](https://www.improvutrecht.nl/drop-in-workshops/) is open to everyone, whether you are trying improv for the very first time or you have played before and want to stay sharp. You do not need acting experience and you do not need perfect English. Many people join us for the first time each week, alongside regular players who keep coming back. The atmosphere is open, playful and supportive, with a real focus on having fun together. During the session you can expect: * Meeting internationals and Dutch players who enjoy playing in English * Fun and accessible improv games inspired by shows like Whose Line Is It Anyway and De Lama’s * Clear introductions to improv principles like listening, accepting ideas and playing together * Plenty of laughter and a few moments where you surprise yourself * A relaxed, social vibe rather than anything competitive or performative We play from 20:00 to 22:00. Doors open between 19:50 and 20:00 and you enter together via the side entrance on Troelstralaan. After the workshop, many people head to O’Leary’s nearby for a drink and a chat. Sign up by adding your name via [https://bit.ly/iudropin](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fbit.ly%2Fiudropin%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExYzVUWUpNcUx3Qmxyc0tCNnNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5K0FVPivgkRn67BEoDofHkr7Es12_1bq4hDCggWDXNdpNhLZnzLNMNtrNdqw_aem_j1YiiuZaWNnyDZ5jbnCCBQ&h=AT2fpKsMMORdusQhpZ9iv0ed8772wQ5kPJcHxIGz5i8iQEJK0FVlSpqVqEh62oBzSisT7moNRPBSDvWIuZEL9WgLIXRbLyqXfXj7sE7CYyKbKxqnakD0W31HOEXSgK_5tuPYJFStscaUvrh-0pc&__tn__=q&c%5B0%5D=AT3WQkDUYF4F66VuKR4XhsJ2afRvpjsAkK93Octb-hRh_JIzYk-7ePG7XSFfHFYxd9GLxqQgCwnPjN2yiYBNVADfb7VXyjFO1sHIArS4Jo43x4NQHr-b2RMtZUH_TIvYncgegRNFx3P2HDQbu5bCg5dzFhmaWlgHFa4). If you can no longer attend, please remember to remove yourself so someone else can join. The workshop works on a Pay What You Thought It Was Worth basis. Suggested donation is €10 to €20, but you are always welcome regardless of what you can pay. Contributions help cover the room and the professional trainer giving up their Friday evening. **About the teacher this week** This session is taught by [Steven Morgan](https://stevenmorgan.wales). Steven is a British comedian, improviser and teacher with a long international track record both on stage and in the classroom. He was the Head of Teaching at easylaughs in Amsterdam and was cast member of Impro Amsterdam for two years running. He previously organised the Bris Funny Fest in Australia, producing over one hundred comedy shows, and has performed stand up comedy in numerous countries and festivals including the Utrecht International Comedy Festival. Steven has also run corporate workshops for organisations such as Nike, Zoom and the Red Cross, and was one half of the improv duo Tru2U with Rogier Bak. His teaching style is playful, clear and confidence building, with a strong focus on connection, generosity on stage and enjoying the moment rather than trying to be funny. Whether you come to learn, to meet people, or just to have a joyful Friday evening, you are very welcome.

**Would you like to stand out at Storytelling, Communicating and Public Speaking?** **Have you ever wondered what your world would look like if you could:** **1.** Be part of a distinctively compatible, supportive and fun community that encourages each other to tangibly improve together? **2.** Connect on a deeper wholehearted level to the people you speak to, and become a highly influential Storyteller, Communicator and Public speaker? **3.** Speak to any person or group of people with high confidence, high relevance, high influence, and an empowering mindset? At SPACE, you’ll be immersed into a compatible and connected community, to learn/improve both the practical/technical skills and structure to deliver great stories and speeches, as well as the mindset to be 100% present, focused and connected to your audience while communicating. Attending **consistently** is vital to the learning process! **Our concept:** **Community, Connection and Communication,** through practice and feedback of relevant, effective and influential communication; aimed at helping improve our communities, and this way help the world become a better place. Turning conditioning and cognitive dissonance into clarity and effectiveness. **Who is it for:** SPACE is for anyone willing to grow and help others succeed. We go beyond the basics of traditional communication/public speaking, creating a more significant, more peaceful and more plentiful world, for you and the people you interact with. We master the mindset by experiencing the "practice & feedback" of vital skills, such as Mindset, Presence, Focus and Connection, plus speech Relevance, speech Structure and speech Delivery, while communicating. Every participant delivers short stories/speeches, which are constructively evaluated by a friendly, open, non-judgemental and supportive audience. **Think of your own stories/speeches to deliver during the meeting** \- relevant to you/your life \(work\, business\, family\, social talks\, challenging talks\, etc\) \- we'll all give you our wholehearted feedback with high kindness and best intentions 💟 💟 **What will you master?** • A mindset of high presence, high focus and high connection. Genuinely connecting to the people you speak to, becoming highly influential • Giving and gaining feedback, openly, compassionately and confidently • Practical and technical skills and structure for great stories and speeches, with a positive mindset (skills for life) • Speaking with high confidence, high relevance, high influence, and genuine freedom! **Speaking genres?** • Storytelling • General topics • Business • Debating • Comedy **Why is it called SPACE?** 1\. We meet at a **physical space** to enable true connection face-to-face and strengthen our community 2\. We are a **safe space** free from judgment, errors or criticisms; we yet strive for high-value, sound feedback and meaningful growth - fully committed to **facilitating space** for everyone to be their true authentic selves. 3\. We all create a **space for functional growth** of your confidence and skills to communicate and present in front of others, connecting with your inner self-wisdom. **Who is it for?** For everyone who wants to learn and/or improve storytelling, communication and public speaking - C**onsistency** is vital to your learning process at conscious but more fundamentally at subconscious level **When?** Every Thursday from 18:30 to 21:00 – free event - please diarize it and turn up 5/10 minutes earlier for free tea/coffee - After the session, we continue to enjoy tea, socialise and strengthen our community **Where?** Buurtkamer Rijn 58 Dynamo - At Rijnstraat 58, 1078 RD Amsterdam ⚉ ***If you can’t attend, please deregister your attendance so someone else can take your spot!*** **⚉** While the meetings are facilitated in English to enable inclusion, we encourage members to deliver speeches in Dutch too. Join our WhatsApp community just by asking at any of our meetings! **Contact:** +44 7985 623 265 (call/text/WhatsApp/Signal)

## 🎨**Activity for EXPATS & English Speakers** ☕ Are you an art enthusiast living in or around **Amersfoort, Hilversum, Utrecht, Nieuwegein, IJsseltein, De Bilt and the rest of cities of the Utrecht's province** who love painting or drawing? Maybe you've felt the joy of creating but struggled to find others who share your passion and speak **ENGLISH**? **You're not alone! 😉** ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ## 🖌️**About this event** You will meet other Art Lovers like you to Draw, Paint and have some drinks Together ! Our events are not just about sketching or creating art—they’re about building connections. Every two weeks, we meet at a café to have a relaxing time drawing a painting. Please keep on mind that **ENGLISH i**s the official language we will use to integrate everyone in our conversations. ⭕⭕⭕➡️ **IMPORTANT ⬅️** ⭕⭕⭕⭕ ### 👩🏻‍🎨**Book formally your Seat 🪑via [WHATSAPP](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f)** **If you want to confirm officially your attendance and separate your seat🪑. Book your seat in meet-up, and contact us via [WHATSAPP HERE](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f) to receive more information on the address of our activities.** **Thanks a lot for your understanding!** 💐🥰 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### 👩🏻‍🎨**How Does It Work?** This event is simple, this initiative takes 2 Hours. Most of the participants use pencils, water pencils or watercolours. Main aim is to socialize while we draw. There will be plenty of time to talk and get to know each other. We have to mention that this event is suitable for all levels. Many have started to draw in our event actually. Also it is very important that you **[JOIN US AT OUR WHATSAPP COMMUNITY](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f),** to stay up to date on our upcoming events and participate in our Drawing and Painting Contests! **👉: [https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f](https://bit.ly/3BXXE0f)** 🍀 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### ☕**Where?** We will meet in different cafes mainly in the *center of Amersfoort ( and some occasions in other cities around)*. I will inform you of the exact place some days in advance this event. The place will depend on the number of attendees. ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### **🎟️ What is included?** 🟢 **2 HOURS TO HAVE FUN!** 🟢 **15 mins warming-up creative activity and paper material**🖌️🎨 🟢 New friendships and **conversations in ENGLISH** in a relaxed atmosphere 🟢 **Souvenir picture** with you and the rest of Art Lovers 📷 🟢 Exclusive **access to our Art Lovers Community** on which you will receive: ***\~\~\~ Drawing challenges,*** ***\~\~\~ Training content,*** ***\~\~\~ FREE Entries only to members*** ***\~\~\~ Drawing Competitions*** 🟢 Time to **create alongside fellow artists and amateurs** 🟢 The freedom to **work at your own pace** 💃🕺🎈 ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ### 🖼️**Art Materials?** Bring your own practical art materials to be adaptable to sketch on a coffee table. Like your sketchbook, pencils, watercolor, markets, pencils, your Tablet..etc ✨✨✨✨✨✨✨ ## **See you to Paint, Draw, and drink together!🌟☕🍷🍪🍰**

We’re heading out for a beautiful 20 km loop hike from Afferden through the gorgeous Nationaal Park De Maasduinen. This route takes us through a striking Limburg landscape of forest, sandy paths, open heathland, river dunes, and wide views. Along the way, we pass the ruins of Kasteel Bleijenbeek and climb an uitkijktoren for a panoramic view over the Maasduinen landscape. One of the special features of this hike is that we cross the Maas river twice by small ferry. These crossings give the route an extra sense of adventure and connect the Maasduinen landscape with the village side of the river. After one of the crossings, we continue to the village of Vierlingsbeek, where we’ll take our longer break for a drink. After the break, we make our way back toward Afferden, completing a varied loop through forest, heathland, castle history, river scenery, ferry crossings, and quiet Limburg countryside. A hike with forest energy, open heathland, castle ruins, a lookout tower, two Maas river crossings, and a relaxed village drink stop. **📍When and where to meet?** We’ll meet at 11h15 at Busstop "Afferden, Veer naar Sambeek" https://maps.app.goo.gl/kcg4hBvRsHoUjBSa6 ⏰ **We start walking a few minutes after meeting up** We don’t wait for latecomers, as we have a long route ahead and want to enjoy the full day properly. **🚗 Coming by car?** Please check your parking options beforehand so you arrive on time. **⏸️ Planned Breaks** After **4 km:** break at watchtower (5 min) After **7 km:** Having a lunchbreak at ruins of Castle Bleijenbeek (25 min) After **13 km:** Ferry over the Maas After **14 km:** Drinks at bar in Vierlingsbeek (50 min) After **20 km:** Ferry back over the Maas (bring small change to pay the ferry) I still need to confirm or make a reservation at the bar. **💸 Payment** Please pay as soon as you sign up: To keep things fair for everyone, if we don’t receive your payment within 48 hours, we will need to remove you from the participant list. If there’s a waiting list, this will happen sooner (in less than 48 hours). If that happens, no worries — you’re always welcome to sign up again if there’s space. 🌟 Early Bird Deal! Join now for just €4 — available for 3 days (72h). After that, the price will be €5. Please pay here: [https://tikkie.me/pay/hn1r44v9kl99o9agck71](https://tikkie.me/pay/hn1r44v9kl99o9agck71) **👟 Good to know** * Refund policy: Cancellations are fully refundable up to 1 week before the event (This is Friday 5 June at 23h59). After this period, the fee becomes non-refundable. * Hike difficulty: Our hikes are moderately challenging. Please only join if you’re confident you can keep up with the group’s pace (5 km/ h)— it’s more fun for everyone when we can walk together without long waits. * If the pace is too challenging: We may kindly suggest you continue at your own pace. We’ll give you clear directions to the nearest bus or train so you can return comfortably. * At your own risk: You participate at your own risk, so please make sure you have appropriate insurance coverage for outdoor activities. * Payment note: With Tikkie we only see initials (e.g., J. Doe instead of John Doe). Please include your Meetup name in the payment note so we can match it easily. * Friends joining: If you bring a friend, make sure they also register and pay. * What to bring: Snacks and enough water * Stay connected: Join our WhatsApp group to be the first to hear about future hikes — ask for the QR code during the hike. * T-shirts: Fairwear-certified organic cotton, eco-friendly inks — €25. Sustainable, odor-resistant, and perfect for hiking. Let us know your size and we’ll bring one for you.

This hike is one you don’t want to miss! It offers a lot of variety on a relatively short distance. From train station Rhenen, we will cross the river and walk along it for a while, until we cross it again by ferry, taking us to the beautiful wetlands of the ‘Blauwe Kamer’, where we might encounter all kinds of wildlife. After a break, we will continue to climb the Grebbeberg, a 52 meter peak in the hilly forest, towering above the river. We will then return to Rhenen, with the option of visiting this pittoresque old town. **Where to meet**: we will meet at **10.30am** at train station Rhenen. This train station can be reached by Sprinter train from Utrecht Centraal. **This hike is fully booked.** [You may register for a place on the waitlist on my website.](https://rewildyourself.nu/dutch-nature-hikes/)

Whether you're looking to expand your network, create valuable partnerships, or connect with motivated local professionals, this is the place to be. Prepare a short presentation to showcase your business and a lot of business cards! **📍 Every Wednesday at 7:15 AM** **1604 Spring Hill Road, 2nd Floor, Vienna, VA** Visitors and professionals are always welcome. Come join us and experience the power of referral networking.

This popular and accomplished Toastmasters club (#4787) is open to everyone, with an average of 25 people per meeting, mainly business professionals from the Reston/Herndon area. Meetings are held on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of the month from 6pm to 7:15pm at Conference Room #2 of the Reston Community Center: 2310 Colts Neck Rd, Reston, VA 20191. Some of the group's members are accomplished professional speakers, while others are just starting down their path of improved public speaking, including many non-native English speakers. Whether you're just starting out and looking to improve your speaking or overcome some nervousness...or looking to gain connections and sharpen your skills, you'll feel connected with the members of Reston Town Center Toastmasters. Stop by. Check us out! Chances are you'll like us so much that you'll be back! For more information: http://towncentertoastmasters.toastmastersclubs.org/

Network with an average of 60+ business professionals, all attendees get an opportunity to give a 30 second elevator pitch, enjoy a light breakfast, 10 minute educational presentation on topics that change weekly, and enjoy networking before and after the meet up.

## 1 Million Cups Loudoun – Business Presentation ### Featuring Mary Hartshorn, Founder of Craft Alchemy **Wednesday\, June 10 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us as we welcome **Mary Hartshorn**, founder of **Craft Alchemy**, to the 1 Million Cups Loudoun stage. *** ## About the Presenter Mary Hartshorn is an Army Veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Craft Alchemy. With a background in communications and logistics and an MBA earned in 2016, Mary spent years developing expertise in e-commerce, digital products, automation systems, Shopify, Etsy, and customer-focused product development while raising her family and navigating military life. In 2024, a personal moment of crisis inspired Mary to create a tool that could help others facing similar challenges. What began as a resource for veterans quickly evolved into a broader solution designed to support individuals and families navigating autism, mental health challenges, caregiving responsibilities, medical conditions, and other situations where communication can become difficult during times of stress. *** ## About the Business Craft Alchemy has developed the **Anchor Tag Support System**, a personalized QR-based support hub that helps individuals quickly access calming tools, emergency contacts, support resources, and personalized information when they need it most. Designed to bridge the gap between physical and digital support, Anchor Tags provide a practical, accessible tool for Veterans, First Responders, autism families, caregivers, mental health advocates, schools, healthcare providers, and organizations focused on community well-being. Rather than creating another app, Craft Alchemy offers a real-world solution that can be carried, accessed quickly, and utilized during moments when support and communication matter most. *** ## Who Mary Is Looking to Hear From Mary would especially value feedback and connections from: * Veteran support organizations * First responder support groups * Mental health professionals and advocates * Autism and disability support organizations * School administrators and special education professionals * Healthcare and caregiving professionals * Nonprofit leaders * Community outreach specialists * Government contracting and partnership advisors * Local leaders focused on community impact initiatives *** ## Current Business Focus & Challenge Craft Alchemy is currently in its early growth and partnership stage. Mary's primary focus is building awareness, establishing strategic partnerships, and expanding opportunities within organizations and community-based networks. She is seeking feedback around: * Building strategic partnerships * Scaling awareness organically * Expanding into schools, nonprofits, and community organizations * Navigating government and organizational opportunities * Growing a mission-driven business without relying heavily on paid advertising She would also appreciate introductions to individuals and organizations connected to veterans, first responders, mental health advocacy, autism support, caregiving, education, and community health initiatives. *** ## Why Attend? * Learn about an innovative solution designed to support people during moments of stress and crisis * Provide valuable feedback to a mission-driven entrepreneur * Connect with community leaders, advocates, and professionals across multiple industries * Be part of a meaningful conversation around accessibility, support, and community impact *** ## About 1 Million Cups 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **June 10** for coffee, connection, and a conversation about creating practical solutions that strengthen individuals, families, and communities. We look forward to seeing you there.

Attendance is $35 (cash, credit/debit card, or ApplePay - paid at the door), which includes water/soda/coffee, bread, choice of a plated lunch entrée, and a dessert assortment. Parking is also validated in the Reston Station garages (3 hours of validation). Join one of Northern Virginia's most successful business networking groups (part of BNI). Open to the public and is typically attended by business owners, business developers, and entrepreneurs. Meetings are typically attended by 30-40 members and guests. \*\*\*PLEASE RSVP here: [REGISTER HERE](https://square.link/u/0WvC6Eir) \*\*\*If you do not register on the BNI website, there may not be a seat available for you.

## 1 Million Cups Loudoun – Resource Presentation ### Understanding Loudoun's Commercial Real Estate Landscape: Opportunities for Small Business Growth **Presented by Vanessa Simon, Real Estate Intelligence Manager, Loudoun Economic Development** **Wednesday\, June 24 \| 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM** **Venture X Loudoun** Join us for an engaging and informative conversation with **Vanessa Simon**, Real Estate Intelligence Manager for Loudoun Economic Development, as we explore Loudoun County's evolving commercial real estate landscape and what it means for small businesses looking to grow. *** ## About the Presenter Vanessa Simon serves as the **Real Estate Intelligence Manager** for Loudoun Economic Development, where she tracks land and property data, manages the county's commercial property database, and builds relationships with developers, brokers, and industry stakeholders throughout Loudoun County. Prior to joining Loudoun Economic Development, Vanessa served as the Director of Operations for a regional residential real estate team serving Virginia, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. Her experience includes operations management, contracts, compliance, negotiations, and market analysis. Vanessa holds a bachelor's degree in Biology and Business from Virginia Tech and began her professional career in technical sales before transitioning into real estate and economic development. *** ## About the Session Whether you're considering your first commercial location, expanding your business footprint, evaluating market opportunities, or simply trying to better understand the local business landscape, this session will provide valuable insight into one of the most important factors influencing business growth: commercial real estate. Vanessa will share current market trends, development activity, available commercial space, and economic development initiatives that are shaping the future of Loudoun County. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how real estate data and economic development resources can support strategic business decisions. *** ## What You'll Learn * Current commercial real estate trends across Loudoun County * Available space and development opportunities * Site selection considerations for growing businesses * Workforce accessibility and location planning * Economic development initiatives supporting business growth * Market insights that can help inform expansion strategies * Resources available through Loudoun Economic Development *** ## Who Should Attend This session is ideal for: * Small business owners * Entrepreneurs considering a physical location * Businesses planning expansion * Retail, restaurant, and service-based businesses * Commercial property owners and investors * Startup founders evaluating growth opportunities * Community and economic development professionals *** ## Why Attend? * Gain practical market intelligence from a county expert * Better understand Loudoun's commercial development landscape * Learn how location decisions impact business growth * Discover resources available to support your business * Ask questions directly to a leader involved in shaping Loudoun's economic future *** ## About 1 Million Cups 1 Million Cups is a national program that brings entrepreneurs and communities together to learn, connect, and grow through presentations and discussion. Loudoun’s chapter meets on the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays each month. Join us on **June 24** for coffee, connection, and a valuable conversation about how Loudoun County's commercial real estate market can support your business growth and long-term success. We look forward to seeing you there.