My work still makes me happy!

You graduated a while ago. Do you still visit BUas sometimes? 
‘I was just on campus recently! For the selection of students for the master’s programme in Strategic Events Management. I’m on the industry selection committee, which is so much fun! Many of the applicants already have quite a bit of experience, and it’s incredibly valuable to be able to bounce ideas off each other. Doing a master’s programme like this is a great opportunity to get inspired again, but it’s also really hard work. So we have to pick the people who we think can handle it.’

So you were back at your ‘old’ school for a little while. How did that feel?
‘When I was studying, we were located on Archimedesstraat with only Leisure Management students. I say on because it was such a tall building. It was an old commercial building; it’s not there anymore, is it? The place we had back then is nothing like it is now, but I did enjoy seeing what was – for me – the new campus.’

It’s great that you – as an experienced leisure manager – are helping us select the new Strategic Events Managers. Would you have chosen that master’s programme if it had been available when you were studying? 
‘Perhaps, although I was also very eager to get started in the field right away. I came from senior secondary vocational education (MBO) and already had quite a bit of experience with events, because I worked a lot during my studies, and I really wanted to apply the theory in practice.’

Was that an MBO programme in events?
‘No, that didn’t exist back then. It was really a bit of a struggle for me. I wanted to do something with events, but I couldn’t move straight on to higher professional education (HBO). I was really disappointed about that at the time. In the end, I decided to train as a management assistant first. Looking back, it was incredibly useful. Sometimes things don’t go as planned, but I believe that everything happens for a reason. My route may have been a little different, but I learned a lot and it has brought me to where I am today.’

And once you were in Breda, were you able to do the things you really wanted to do?
‘I was able to put all my organisational skills to good use. By establishing a clear structure – think tight schedules, a clear division of tasks and clear communication – I was able to maintain an overview, even during busy periods. I did encounter some difficulties with other people, for example in a working group, who didn’t always cooperate very well. That was my perception, anyway. I found that very difficult to deal with. I saw everything in black and white. Maybe it was partly my Rotterdam mentality. Why don’t you just do what we agreed? Now, a few years later, I deal with this very differently. Before, I used to fill in the gaps and solve problems myself. But now I look more at the why. Why didn’t you do it? Where do you think your strengths lie? I try to look at things differently and put people in the right place.’

Can you name a best lesson learned from your student days?
‘Hmmm, not so much a lesson, but when I think back to my first two years of study, I immediately think of Mr Stoppelenburg, as I still call him.’ 

Ah, that’s what you students said!? You mean Wilco?
‘Yes, when I saw him, I thought: I know you! It turned out that I had been taught by his brother in secondary school! Anyway, he popped up because he made an impression on me. It’s so impressive how he motivates people in a positive way. In a way that really makes you want to take action. With a bit of humour. But he’s also quite confrontational; he holds up a mirror to you. And he might just ask you out of the blue to stand in front of the class and present what you’re working on at that moment. Without any preparation. ‘You can do this, because it’s what you’re working on, he would say, as if it was nothing! Still, it is the best way to discover that it’s okay to make mistakes; that’s how you learn.'

But still, out of your comfort zone?
‘Quite a bit! He encouraged that. He taught us to think outside the box and use our imagination. That field of Imagineering is also really interesting, by the way. I would have liked to explore it further, but I stuck with plan A.’

You still can! We offer an excellent master’s programme in Imagineering. It’s also open to executives.
‘Is that a sales pitch you’re throwing at me?’ (laughs)

Okay then, what was plan A?
‘I deliberately chose to specialise in Events in combination with a minor in Sales, because I wanted to develop myself both organisationally and commercially. Events are not just about good organisation, but also about creating value for both the visitor and the client. This combination has taught me not only to plan an event meticulously and keep it running smoothly, but also to think commercially: How do you attract the right target group? How do you ensure you have enough partners or sponsors? This combination of structure, creative thinking and commercial insight helps me to organise events that really make an impact.’

What makes your work so enjoyable?
‘I spend a lot of time thinking up new concepts, and that’s what makes it fun. I actually have the best of both worlds: the creative side and the organisational side. That’s exactly why I’ve been working at Ahoy for so long. If you had asked me 12 years ago where I would be today, I would probably have given you a completely different answer. But I’m incredibly happy with the steps I’ve taken. Ultimately, you create your own path – by taking initiative and seizing opportunities when they arise. That’s how I look at it. And perhaps most importantly, I still enjoy what I do every day. That feeling confirms to me that I’m in the right place.’

And what makes you happiest? What are you really proud of?
‘I am proud to be working in this wonderful sector and to be able to contribute to an unforgettable experience for so many people. It is special to know that you can really make an impact with your work. Personally, what makes me happiest is the WielerZesdaagse cycling race. That event has something special for me. It’s not just the atmosphere and the sporting spectacle, but also the story behind it: the shape of Ahoy was determined by this event. Without the WielerZesdaagse cycling race, Ahoy probably wouldn't exist. So it’s an important part of our history. That connection with the past and the place where I work every day makes the WielerZesdaagse cycling race extra special to me.’

Interview by Maaike Dukker - 't Hart