Maastricht Convention Bureau

In the spotlight

In the spotlight: Camille Oostwegel jr.

Now that we have a new feature A word from the expert, our feature In the spotlight slightly changed. As of today, we aim our spotlight at one of our regional partners. What are the developments within their company? What are the challenges? In short: you will not only get to know the person better, but also the company where he or she works. Our first In the spotlight guest “new style” is Camille Oostwegel jr., Director Business Development of the Oostwegel Collection:

1. Why did you choose the position you have now?

Camille Oostwegel jr. Photo credit: Clea Betlem

“The position of Director Business Development is a position I have since July 2015 and which fits the experiences I have from working abroad. The plan is that eventually, within the next three years, I take over the family business from my father.”

2. What are the most recent developments within your company? (HR/renovation plans etc.)

“Since the beginning of January, the St. Gerlach Pavilion & Castle farm at St. Gerlach are open. At the St. Gerlach Pavilion, 3 multi functional meeting rooms can be used, seperately or combined (850m2). This means that a large variety of meetings and events up to 750 guests become possible. As an addition to the pavilion, there are 6 break-out rooms at the castle farm and at Burgemeester Quicx, Coffee & More.”

3. Which challenges are you facing?

“The challenge for our company is the way we explain our location and accessibility to foreign guests. We often notice that guests find it strange to hear they can best fly to an international airport in Germany or Belgium whilst their end destination is the Netherlands.”

4. What have you achieved, of which you are most proud?

“I am most proud of the staff members who create new memories for themselves and our guests every day. This is something that lasts and which is very important for the complete and positive experience of the working place as well as a place to stay for our guestst.”

5. What does the Maastricht Convention Bureau mean to you?

“The Maastricht Convention Bureau is an important drive, bringing large conferences to Maastricht. The whole region profits from the hard work Jurgen Moors and his team put into the acquisition of conferences. After all, all conference delegates need a place to stay and a place to eat.”

 

Earlier editions of this feature (“old style”):

In the spotlight: Lars Flinkerbusch

Each month, we aim our spotlight at someone dedicated to the Maastricht region, a beautiful conference destination. This month, that someone is Lars Flinkerbusch, Director of Maastricht Marketing. Each In the spotlight participant will be asked the same five questions. This is the response of Lars Flinkerbusch:

1. Why do you love the Maastricht region?

“When in Maastricht, it feels as if one is abroad,not in the Netherlands. A city with an international university with a magnificent culinary and cultural offer, shops and fashion, where old and new meet in an ubelievable exciting way. That is why I love Maastricht. From a drink at Café Sjiek, the Struys or the Bobbel to reading a newspaper at the Dominicanenkerk (Dominicum Church) or strolling along the river Meuse or in the hilly surroundings”

2. What is your most favourite memory?

“It is always enjoyable in Maastricht, but during events such as TEFAF, the André Rieu Concerts or het Preuvenemint, Maastricht is at its best.”

3. What is your “hidden treasure” and why?

“There are many; time and time again, I discover new beautiful spots in the Maastricht region. Like recently, when I participated the first Urban Trial Maastricht. It was a course through unique streets and historic buildings you normally would not go through.”

4. Why should any conference organiser or association organise their conference in the Maastricht region at least once in their lifetime?

“Maastricht is a unique congress destination. No where else you will find a city which is as compact and good-natured with such an atmospehere and hospitality. A congress is a business event but the scenery and entouragde give the congress an extra dimension. Good hotels, professional suppliers, luxurious transportation and in inernational congress center complete it all.”

5. What does the Maastricht Convention Bureau mean to you?

“As former founder of the Noordwijk Regional Convention Bureau (Noordwijk Marketing) I am committed to the congress industry. The Maastricht Convention Bureau is the authority in the field of congress acquisition for Maastricht and, together with Maastricht Marketing, puts the city on the map.”

 

Earlier editions of this feature:

In the spotlight: Remco Prevoo

Each month, we aim our spotlight at someone dedicated to the Maastricht region, a beautiful conference destination. This month, that someone is Remco Prevoo, Operational Manager of Jacobs Travel. Each In the spotlight participant will be asked the same five questions. This is the response of Remco Prevoo:

1. Why do you love the Maastricht region?

“I see Maastricht more as the capital of the whole region and dare to look across country borders while doing this. The things this region has to offer, other regions often have these in small extent. We of course have the city of Maastricht with its on the one hand urban character with the Maastricht University, historical city centre with many hotels, bars, restaurants and shops, the Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre and the Meuse river. If you look at what the region has to offer, next to all this, in the area of (high) culinary and day or evening programmes, this is really a lot. What makes this region unique is that business can easily be combined with culinary. In less than half an hour from the Vrijthof square, there are plenty of options, on both sides of the border.”

2. What is your most favourite memory?

“I have many. It is difficult to choose one specifically. Business wise it is always very nice to see how enthusiastic and astonished (foreign) guests react when you speak to them during their visit. A response which is often heard is that they wouldn’t have thought the region is so beautiful and versatile and that next to that, everything is perfectly organized. These moments, I am proud to be part of this region.”

3. What is your “hidden treasure” and why?

“That is not a simple question and therefore it is not easy to choose just one. The experience makes the region and therefore it is not something you can ‘touch’. When I am sitting on a terrace at the Vrijthof square with my family, I enjoy the flow and atmosphere. However, if half an hour later we end up at a terrace in the hilly surroundings, after a beautiful drive passing the many castles, I can really the serenity and the landscape we have there. All this combined with good food is pure enjoyment, I am a real lover of culinary things.”

4. Why should any conference organiser or association organise their conference in the Maastricht region at least once in their lifetime?

“Because this region offers the perfect combination of business and pleasure. Also, the region has developed tremendously and the people here know how to meet the expectations of (international) guests. Next to that, the region has the power to connect people and by doing so share knowledge: academic hospital, Maastricht University, Brightlands etcetera. Many foreign guests come from or visit conferences in large cities. They feel a warm welcome once they get to know the Maastricht Region. Next to that, the region is centrally located near various airports.”

5. What does the Maastricht Convention Bureau mean to you?

“For us, the Maastricht Convention Bureau is the connection between congress organizers and us as travel partner. They promote Maastricht at international trade fairs and will do the utmost to acquire congresses for Maastricht. The whole region profits from this. Jacobs Travel is always trying to think along in a high level transportation service. For 1 person for an airport transfer to Maastricht or for a group of 1,500 delegates from MECC Maastricht to a dinner location. During large transport flows, we always take care of the coordination on site to make sure everything goes well, which is reassuring for the client. Transport is an important aspect during the conference period; if something goes wrong, the entire program could go wrong. Jacobs Travel always is looking for innovation. For example, we developed software with which guests can easily book their transport from and to the various airports and Wifi is available in all our touring cars. The Maastricht Convention Bureau is a very important partner, because they hear the experiences of the congress organizers and share those with their partners involved.”

Earlier editions of this feature: