A thousand visitors a day, demos full of data, a personal welcome and an opening video that set the tone for the rest of the event. All this and more showcased why Esri Connect is no ordinary software gathering. It is a valuable annual experience where Esri Netherlands brings its clients together at Royal Jaarbeurs.
More than 2,400 companies and organisations in the Netherlands work daily with Esri software, which helps them make better decisions using location data. The ArcGIS platform enables organisations to combine data on a map and ensure everyone is on the same page. In the simplest terms, Esri develops geo-information software that allows, for instance, a water board to inspect ditches or a retailer to find the best location for a new branch. To ensure customers make the most of the software and are aware of the latest trends and developments, Esri organises a large-scale event every year called Esri Connect. Last April was the second time that it was held at Jaarbeurs.
Central location
Esri Nederland deliberately chose Jaarbeurs as its event venue, as Event Manager Ilona Leuvenkamp explains: “We had outgrown our previous location in Rotterdam and were looking for a central place that would be easily accessible by public transport. Jaarbeurs offered exactly that as well as the perfect combination for our particular requirements: a large plenary hall, sufficient breakout rooms and space for an expo.” The choice fell on the Beatrix Building, which is located right next to the station. “The theatre hall is a beautiful setting for a plenary session, and sitting in those cool red seats really adds to the experience.”
A day full of experiences
Ilona emphasises the importance of creating a genuine experience during the event.
“As Esri Connect we look to inspire our customers. In this context it means giving them an inspiring day to remember that ensures people go home with a smile on their face. That’s why we kicked off with a powerful video focused on social themes like climate, energy and the living environment. It illustrated very well how our software can make a meaningful contribution.” Jaarbeurs Account Manager Corry Neggers was also present: “It was the combination of light, sound and visuals that made for such a strong opening that really hit home. The audience instantly realised that they were not at a standard event.”
Personal touch
Esri Connect was a mix of keynotes, demos and customer stories, along with live music and a singer during breaks. Despite the fact that more than a thousand people attended each day, the event felt surprisingly personal. One reason for this was the way Esri involved as many of its own employees as possible in various roles. Examples included at the event entrance and registration desk, as Ilona explains: “We didn’t hire external hosts. All the people welcoming guests, managing the doors and or assisting in the rooms were my colleagues. Even those behind the registration desks were staff who often have direct contact with customers. This helped ensure a familiar and easily approachable atmosphere.”
Ilona now looks back on the event with satisfaction and is impressed with the flexibility of Jaarbeurs. Esri has long worked with its own trusted AV partner, Bourgonje. “They know exactly what we need for our events and Jaarbeurs was very accommodating about us bringing them along. My colleagues and Bourgonje worked seamlessly with the Beatrix Theatre’s technician Gert, giving us both peace of mind and confidence. Everything went exactly as agreed.”
Meeting challenges
Jaarbeurs feels the same and, as Corry points out, Esri Connect was not just another event but a major project where content, technology and teamwork all came together. “It was technically quite challenging. Each breakout room hosted live demos featuring their own systems, which required lots of power points and a powerful internet capacity with as many as 150 laptops running simultaneously. We knew every detail had to be right and it’s precisely that complexity which makes it so rewarding. Every element matters, from technology to cleaning, routing to signage. Together, we were able to deliver something of which we can all be very proud.”
Long-term collaboration
This positive cooperation has now evolved into a multi-year agreement between Esri and Jaarbeurs, with the next edition of Esri Connect scheduled for April 2026. Ilona is pleased and calls the partnership with Jaarbeurs “a breath of fresh air: Communication is clear and the lines are short. I pass everything I get from my colleagues straight on to Corry and love that fact that if she says ‘I’ll take care of it’, everything will indeed be efficiently dealt with.”
