12 February 2018
Ruud Veltenaar outlines inspiring future during EW Facility Services event
From prosperity to well-being, from ego to eco and from me to we.
Last Thursday, 8 February, EW Facility Services organised its event “The Power of Hospitality” for the fourth time. Led by inspirator, trend watcher and philosopher Ruud Veltenaar, over 200 participants made an expedition to the future under the slogan “The future is waiting for you. Let’s get inspired!”. In the industrial environment of De Fabrique, Veltenaar outlined a world that is characterised by revolutionary technological developments, in which standing still is not an option. A world in which we will change from prosperity to well-being, from ego to eco and from me to we.
Inspiring and sharing knowledge
With its annual event The Power of Hospitality, EW Facility Services aims to share knowledge, to inspire people and offer a vision on developments that affect society and our facility industry. In the coming years, social and technological changes will lead to people interacting with each other in a different way. In a world that is characterised by revolutionary technological developments, there is an increasing need for human contact, social interaction and co-creation. These changes have an impact on organisations and the way they can create added value with their buildings, facilities and services.
World in transition
According to Ruud Veltenaar, the world is in transition. The driving force behind this is the exponential growth of technology which leads to social innovations, which in turn lead to the democratisation of products, services and property. The result is that we, the society, become a third power alongside the government and the free market. Another driving force behind this transition is crises. Veltenaar referred to the famous words spoken by Churchill: "Never waste a good crisis". Crises are necessary in order to find solutions to problems and to go through changes. Veltenaar is convinced that we, the world, are transitioning from 'prosperity' to 'well-being', to 'doing good'. He therefore concluded with the inspiring words "If it is to be, it is to be me". What does he mean by this? "Be the change you wish to see in the world. Each day presents opportunities to make the world the place we all would want it to be."
Immersed in hospitality
The event took place at event venue De Fabrique in Utrecht. There, guests were treated to a generous dose of hospitality. Parking attendants indicated where the guests could park their car, a shuttle bus drove back and forth between the train station and the venue, hostesses greeted the guests warmly, taste buds were surprised by unique snacks and delicious drinks, sweets were baked live during the intermission and at the end of the event, all visitors were given a delicious fresh coffee or tea for the return trip home.
Film impression
Curious about a report of the afternoon? Schoonmaakjournaal made a nice film impression for us.
