Event

Rotterdam. Metropolis of Sports.

Make it happen in Rotterdam

“Rotterdam. Metropolis of Sports.” is another inspirational trip by Sports+Vitality. From March 31 to April 2, 2025, we visit many highlights in this city. Seeing is believing, when you visit the city you better understand its impact for their inhabitants and visitors. Together with the City of Rotterdam and Sportbedrijf Rotterdam we made a beautiful and interactive program focussing on clubs, design, facilities, policy, sustainability, technology and more. Join us, be surprised and be amazed as Rotterdam makes it happen.

Besides visiting interesting places, meet also interesting people from Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Israel, Luxembourg and Netherlands. We have 5 spots left!

Connect

Interact

Inspire

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March 31 - April 2, 2025

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Rotterdam, The Netherlands

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Registration

Reserve your spot for this trip. Get an ESWAM ticket or a Regular ticket.

Go to the available Tickets

Program

What can you expect from Rotterdam? (last update: March 28, 2025)

Monday March 31
12:45	Luggage drop off at Bilderberg Parkhotel, Westersingel 70 (website) in Rotterdam (metro Eendrachtsplein or walk from Central Station)
13:00	Joint walk to Timmerhuis
13:15	Welcome at Timmerhuis Rotterdam with coffee and tea
13:30	"Introduction and expectations" Arno Hermans (initiator @ ESWAM / co-founder @ Sports+Vitality)
13:45	"Rotterdam sports policy" Wendeline van Lier (strategic policy advisor @ City of Rotterdam)
14:30	*"Table Talks: Global Active City" hosted by** Marjolein Buijs (policy advisor sport @ City of Rotterdam) learning, cross-domain collaboration, how to make more impact for active lifestyles. - Healthy and social basis - Active employers and employees - Elite sports with impact - Active cities with active public spaces
15:15	Break
15:30	"How Rotterdam stimulates and supports its sportsclubs" Evelien Vonk (projectleader @ Rotterdam Sportsupport) Lennert van Driel (content specialist @ Rotterdam Sportsupport)
16:15	"Walking Tour Rotterdam City Centre"- urban placemaking visits RIF010, Markthal, Schouwburgplein, Westblaak and more
18:00	Iconic view over Erasmusbrug
18:15	Watertaxi leaving from Erasmusbrug Rotterdam to Hotel New York
18:30	Dinner at Hotel New York
..:..	Check in at Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam

Tuesday April 1
07:15	Morning Run (optional)
08:00	Breakfast
09:00	Welcome at Swimcentre Rotterdam (Annie MG Schmidtplein 8)
09:30	"Word of Welcome" Ronald van Ombergen (director @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam)
09:40	"Sportbedrijf and its operations" Marijn Eggen (manager relationships @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam)
10:15	*"Table Talks; operation and usage of facilities" hosted by** Marijn Eggen (manager relationships @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam) - The local government has no responsibility in financing sportsfacilities. Everyone must pay the price it costs. - How is participation of sports regulated in your city/country? (memberships, special prices for elderly/poverty/youth/disables people)
11:00	"Walking tour Rotterdam facilities" visits Theatre Zuidplein, Ahoy, Zuiderpark, Jan Ligthartstraat, Swimcentre Rotterdam and more
12:15	Lunch
13:00	Cycling
13:15	visit Polderplein sportshall "Athletic Skills Model - versatile movement" Jorick Hendriksen (operational manager @ Athletic Skills Model)
13:45	Cycling
14:00	visit Skateland Rotterdam "Urban Hot Spot" Frans Dietvorst (director @ Skateland Rotterdam)
14:45	Cycling
15:00	visit Koperslagersstraat "Placemaking at Koperslagersstraat with Dr. WOOOW" Danijel Ribaric (founder @ Urban Culture Lab Foundation)
15:30	Cycling via De Kuip stadium
15:45	visit Olympia sportspark / Hockeyclub Feijenoord "Experimental sports complex" Martijn van der Linden (product consultant @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam) Robbert Merx (manager sportcomplex Olympia @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam) Anouk Meeter (club consultant @ Rotterdam Sportsupport) Ruben Blokland (club consultant @ Rotterdam Sportsupport) ......... (board member @ HC Feijenoord)
17:30	Cycling
17:45	Swimcentre Rotterdam
18:00	Dinner at Restaurant LISA

Wednesday April 2
09:15	Welcome at Topsport Centre Rotterdam
09:30	"Welcome at Topsport Centre Rotterdam" Peter Blangé (director @ Rotterdam Topsport) A word of welcome by Peter Blangé and a guided tour of the Topsport Centre Rotterdam. This centre is the home base of the Dutch gymnastics men’s team, venue for top class sport events and so much more.
10:15	"Top class sport events in Rotterdam; event policy and impact" ......... (manager events @ Rotterdam Topsport) Rotterdam is a leading city in big top class sports events in the Netherlands. These events create a vibrant city where residents and visitors are inspired and entertained. But they also lead to international fame and economic and social impact.
11:00	"Grand Départ de Tour de France Femmes 2024" Lisette Eijgelsheim (tournament director @ Tour de France Femmes) How this event gave a boost to women’s cycling and everyday mobility of the citizens in Rotterdam. A story on social impact.
11:45	Lunch
12:30	Travel by tram
13:00	visit Swimcentre Feijenoord
13:45	"Learnings and take aways" Arno Hermans (initiator @ ESWAM / co-founder @ Sports+Vitality)
14:15	Travel by tram to Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam, luggage pick up

	* the table talks are interactive and informal to discuss joint challenges in small groups.

Speakers overview:

Remco Aarts

policy advisor sport @ City of Rotterdam

Peter Blangé

director @ Rotterdam Topsport

Ruben Blokland

club consultant @ Rotterdam Sportsupport

Marjolein Buijs

policy advisor sport @ City of Rotterdam

Frans Dietvorst

director @ Skateland Rotterdam

Lennert van Driel

content specialist @ Rotterdam Sportsupport

Marijn Eggen

manager relationships @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam

Lisette Eijgelsheim

tournament director @ Tour de France Femmes

bijeenkomst 29 10 2023 mmv jacco verhaeren. foto’s olaf kraak

Jorick Hendriksen

operational manager @ Athletic Skills Model

Arno Hermans

initiator @ ESWAM

Wendeline van Lier

strategic policy advisor @ City of Rotterdam

Martijn van der Linden

product consultant @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam

Anouk Meeter

club consultant @ Rotterdam Sportsupport

Robbert Merx

manager sportcomplex Olympia @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam

Ronald van Ombergen

director @ Sportbedrijf Rotterdam

Danijel Ribaric

founder @ Urban Culture Lab foundation

Evelien Vonk

projectleader @ Rotterdam Sportsupport

Get your Ticket

We walk and cycle through Rotterdam and experience its beauty. We have a limited capacity who can join this exciting trip. So register soon for the alliance ticket or regular ticket. All tickets include breakfast, lunch, dinner, private hotel room, clinic, workshops, meetings, transport in Rotterdam and bicycle. Transport to and from Rotterdam is not included. You stay in a private room at the Bilderberg Parkhotel Rotterdam.

Alliance Ticket

FREE / € 495,- ex VAT

Rotterdam. Metropolis of Sports. is part of the European Sports and Wellbeing Alliance for Municipalities (ESWAM). Every Alliance city has one or two FREE ticket(s) to join this trip. Adding extra persons from the same organisation cost € 495,- ex VAT per person.

Cancellation Policy – a refund will transfered through the following base:
100% – 60 days before start trip
50% – 40 days before start trip
0% – 30 days before start trip

Reserve a ticket

Regular Ticket

€ 1.695,- ex VAT

We only have 10 tickets available for this trip. Make sure you register on time.

Cancellation Policy – a refund will transfered through the following base:
100% – 60 days before start trip
50% – 40 days before start trip
0% – 30 days before start trip

Buy a ticket

Partners

Practical information

Date:

March 31 - April 2, 2025

Contact & organizer:

Arno Hermans

arno@sportsvitality.com | +31 (0)6 22 528 705

Location:

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Rotterdam. Metropolis of Sports.

Make it happen in Rotterdam

Connect

Interact

Inspire

March 31 - April 2, 2025

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Registration

Program

Speakers overview:

Remco Aarts

Peter Blangé

Ruben Blokland

Marjolein Buijs

Frans Dietvorst

Lennert van Driel

Marijn Eggen

Lisette Eijgelsheim

Jorick Hendriksen

Arno Hermans

Wendeline van Lier

Martijn van der Linden

Anouk Meeter

Robbert Merx

Ronald van Ombergen

Danijel Ribaric

Evelien Vonk

Get your Ticket

Alliance Ticket

Regular Ticket

Partners

Practical information

Date:

Contact & organizer:

Location:

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