10:00 - 10:30 Experience Zone
10:30 - 12:00 Part 1 sessions
Keynote - Innovate to Elevate: the future of technology in events
Ine Vanoeveren, Lead Technology & Innovation @ Corda Arena
Discover how emerging technologies are transforming events. From ready-to-use digital tools to future trends shaping engagement and experiences, Ine reveals how innovation can elevate your events and keep you ahead of the curve.
Solution - EventGateway
Steve Segers, CEO @ Eventronics
EventGateway streamlines the delegate journey with 1 single profile and login, giving seamless access to all event tools via a personal dashboard. Combined with EventKiosk, it connects onsite and remote participants effortlessly, enhancing the overall event experience for every attendee.
Best case - Virtual experience: cycling through unknown grounds
Wim Kegelaers, CTO @ MediaMixer
Jone Van der Hallen, Head of Operations @ Spectr BIM
With virtual reality, MediaMixer and Spectr BIM bring building plans to life. Visitors can cycle through future environments and explore hidden spaces normally off-limits. This immersive experience transforms static drawings into dynamic reality, offering participants a unique and unforgettable perspective on architecture, technology, and events.
Solution - Sentivent API
Dries Lorent - Data Scientist @Sentigrate
Discover how Sentivent uses NFC short-range wireless technology to make events smarter and more human.
From effortless, contactless information sharing between delegates to powerful event mapping for organisers, it reduces friction and frees up what matters most… more time for meaningful conversations and lasting connections.
12:00 - 13:15 Lunch / Experience zone
13:15 - 14:35 Part 2 sessions
Keynote - the Jetlag perspective: Flanders’ next move in immersive events
Jelle Demanet, business beveloper Emerging Technologies @ IMEC, co-founder @ XR Valley and Spatial Dynamics
Fresh from the Belgian mission in California, Jelle brings a firsthand report of the most innovative immersive technologies he explored the week before the event in Los Angeles.
While still working through the jetlag, he looks ahead at how immersive technologies can make conferences more attractive, interactive, and future-proof.
Solution - Remote production for hybrid events
Rémi Scholiers, Researcher Remote Production @ Thomas More
Remote production makes high-quality event streaming affordable and engaging for those who cannot attend in person. By enabling multi-camera setups and remote directing, it goes beyond static streams, enhancing the experience of remote participants and ensuring they feel part of the event.
Keynote - Audiovisual mastery: people and expertise make the difference
Katrien Vermeire, CEO @ John & Jane makes Sense
Technology can achieve a lot, but not without the know-how and dedication of people. Their expertise brings sound, audio, and video together into a total experience for everyone present. What are the do’s and don’ts, what should you pay attention to, and above all: how do audiovisual techniques make the difference during an event?
Best case - AI and XR elevate delegates’ experience
Jeff Jacobs, Creative & Strategy Manager @ CityCubes
Discover three inspiring cases showing how technology elevates customer experience today. From an AI avatar keynote, to personalised story visualizations, and an immersive dining journey through five worlds. These examples illustrate how innovation creates unforgettable, tailor-made event experiences.
14:35 - 15:00 Break / Experience zone
15:00 - 16:00 Part 3 sessions
Solution - CHEARS®, Choose your EARS
Koen Vanhove, Managing Director @ Conrad Consulting
CHEARS revolutionises sound for events with bone conduction headsets, ideal for plenary sessions, breakouts, tours, and translations. No earbuds or over-ear discomfort… just clear, innovative audio that enhances every participant’s experience.
Best Case - Pop concert in Fortnite
Ruben Kimpen, Researcher Extended Reality @ Thomas More
Discover how avatars transform event experiences. Using the example of pop group Four’s performance in Fortnite, Ruben will show how avatars can act as event hosts and create unique digital encounters. This case highlights the potential of virtual worlds to go far beyond gaming and enhance audience engagement.
Keynote - The story of the pixel
Peru Dharani, Senior Vice President Research @ Barco
From ancient cave art to cutting-edge AI visuals, the pixel has always been at the heart of how we tell stories and capture attention. Join Peru as he will trace the pixel’s journey through time, showing how it is empowering creators to dream and craft immersive experiences.
16:00 - 17:00 Closing drink / Experience zone
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS BIOGRAPHIES
Ine Vanoeveren
Lead Technology & Innovation at Corda Arena
Ine is reimagining the event experience for the hybrid age. With a background as a contemporary flute player and XR researcher (PhD, UC San Diego), Ine merges deep artistic practice with immersive tech to build new formats where physical and holographic performers and speakers share the same stage.
As Lead Innovation & Technology at Corda Arena – Europe’s trailblazing event venue located at Corda Campus, Hasselt – she’s pushing the boundaries of how audiences engage with live performance, both physically and virtually. This next-gen arena will host up to 3,750 attendees onsite and millions digitally and virtually, fusing human connection with immersive technologies at scale.
Jelle Demanet
Business Developer Emerging Technologies IMEC, co-founder XR Valley en Spatial Dynamics
Jelle is Business Developer at the research group imec-mict-UGent, co-founder of the network organization XR Valley, and co-founder of the innovative startup Spatial Dynamics.
With a background in cognitive psychology and a strong focus on AI and XR, he builds bridges between research, entrepreneurship, and industry. At imec, he recently co-authored the dossier for the launch of a new Flemish spearhead cluster on entertainment technology (ENT.A), aimed at strengthening Flanders’ position as an international leader in applying innovative technologies across media, gaming, culture, and events.
Katrien Vermeire
CEO John & Jane makes Sense
Katrien Vermeire, CEO of John&Jane makes Sense, is often hailed as the Joan of Arc of the event industry in Belgium. With her vision and passion for events, she fully embraces innovation, collaboration and talent development. After all, it is precisely the combination of people and technology that creates the ultimate experience.
Peru Dharani
Senior Vice President – Research, Barco
Peru leads Barco’s Global Corporate Innovation, driving disruptive innovation efforts across entertainment, enterprise, and healthcare markets. With 15+ years in photonics and electronics, he is passionate about building and scaling deep tech products. He holds a master’s degree in engineering from Ghent University, and a PhD in Physics from EPFL Switzerland.
EXPERIENCE ZONE
- CHEARS® - choose your EARS
Partner: Conrad Consulting
Experience: CHEARS are comfortable headsets, delivering crystal-clear audio for sessions, tours, and translations, without blocking the ears. With up to 2,000 connected users across multiple channels, they ensure every participant enjoys an effortless, immersive, and engaging experience.
- Sentivent API
Partner: Sentigrate
Experience: Forget clunky event apps… Sentivent puts the focus back on people. By cutting phone time and removing downloads, it makes connecting faster and more natural. The result: effortless networking, visible engagement, and events where conversations -not technology- take center stage.
- Cycle into new worlds
Partner: MediaMixer & Spectr BIM
Experience: Hop on the bike, put on the VR headset, and start exploring! Pedal your way through future buildings and hidden spaces that come alive around you. This fun, hands-on ride lets you discover places you’d never reach otherwise… an adventure that makes the impossible possible.
- Event Gateway & Event Kiosk
Partner: Eventronics
Experience: EventGateway, combined with EventKiosk, makes every delegate’s journey seamless. With one profile and login, participants access all tools through a personal dashboard while easily connecting onsite and online.
The result: less hassle, more interaction, and an event experience that feels smooth, connected, and engaging.
- Emogg
Partner: Eventronics
Experience: Emogg brings audiences closer by making emotions visible in real time. Organizers can instantly sense mood and engagement, adapting content to keep participants connected and involved.
- Gaussian Splatting
Partner: Thomas More
Experience: Gaussian Splatting virtualizes event spaces into lifelike digital twins, making it easy to plan technology, lighting, and setup in advance. Beyond preparation, it also creates a virtual version of the venue, allowing remote participants to explore and engage, bridging the gap between onsite and digital experiences.
- Meta human host of the future
Partner: Thomas More
Experience: Meet a lifelike digital host, greeting delegates visitors, answering questions and guiding them through the event in real time. Faster info, shorter queues, and smoother navigation make the delegate journey simpler and more personal.
- Virtual production studio
Partner: Thomas More
Experience: Step into the future of event storytelling with cutting-edge studio techniques. Using LED walls, camera and motion tracking, speakers can appear in lifelike virtual environments… whether live or pre-recorded. Discover how these tools create immersive stages, seamless visuals, and unforgettable experiences for audiences onsite and online.
TECH partners
- Digital badge experience
Partner: Fielddrive
Solution: Skip the pre-printed tags and long queues; with Fielddrive, your event badge is custom-designed and printed on the spot in just ~6 seconds. Touch-free check-ins (including facial recognition or QR/scan options), sustainable badges, and real-time data make the process fast, clean, and memorable… letting you dive straight into content and connection.
- AI event companion
Partner: RooKoo
Solution: Rookoo is a smart, accessible assistant that guides participants before, during, and after the event. By removing barriers and encouraging interaction, it enhances the journey of onsite delegates… making participation smoother, more engaging, and truly memorable.
- Event Robot
Partner: WMAS
Solution: Event Robot ensures smooth operations by handling practical tasks that normally require extra staff. From guiding participants to supporting logistics, it removes friction and keeps workflows seamless. The result: delegates enjoy a stress-free event where attention stays on learning, networking, and valuable experiences.
- Networking app
Partner: Conversation Starter
Solution: Web-based matchmaking and networking platform tailored for events; online, hybrid, or in-person. Attendees create profiles, signal what they offer or seek, then match with relevant peers, speakers, sponsors, or exhibitors.
AI-driven matchmaking helps schedule one-on-one meetings or group sessions seamless. No app download required. Available in English, French, and Dutch.
- Audio-visual production
Partner: Auvicom
Solution: Auvicom is one of the largest audiovisual companies in Belgium, specialised in rental, sale, installation, and maintenance of the latest and most sophisticated audiovisual equipment. In addition to audiovisual support for traditional events, Auvicom also provides all-in-one solutions for all your hybrid events. Their highly qualified team has over 50 years of experience and expertise in supporting countless indoor, outdoor and hybrid events.