2024 conference program
8:30 - 9:10 Welcome coffee & networking
Participants are welcome in the central area of the conference venue for coffee or tea. This is also a first opportunity to network, explore the exhibition and meet the sponsoring partners.
9:10 - 9:20 Opening of the conference by the conference organiser and today's conference host
Setting the scene for today's event, including all the practical information about the conference and the venue.
Christiaan Lustig will be your conference host throughout the day.
Guy Van Leemput (ValueIntranet) & Christiaan Lustig
9:20 - 9:50 Opening keynote : Internal Communication in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Bombarded by new technology and unsure where artificial intelligence will take us? Asking yourself how this will impact communication in your organisation? Global internal communication leader and book author
Monique Zytnik
will address these big questions and reveal a modern, multilayered approach to internal communication. Expect an inspiring talk that's fully aligned with this year's conference theme "The Digital Workplace in the Age of AI".
(Monique Zytnik Consulting)
9:55 - 10:30 AI in the Digital Workplace - past, present and future
So much has happened so fast across the industry with AI, especially since its explosion into the world of work end 2022. But what is the (long) history of AI, and where is it headed in the coming years? And more practically: what opportunities are available now for internal comms professionals and within intranet products and the broader digital workplace? No one is better placed than
Sam Marshall, who has a background and a Master of Science degree in industrial AI, to make sense of it all. Sam is a global thought leader in the world of intranets and the digital workplace, and his session will combine practical advice for today with his vision for the future.
(ClearBox Consulting)
10:30 - 11:00 Break
Time to grab a cup of coffee or tea, network with other participants and visit the booths of the exhibitors.
11:00 - 11:40 Breakout session 1
During each of the break-out sessions, you have a choice between different parallel presentations.
Case study: Introducing a conversational approach to internal comms at Aegon
Aegon is an international financial services group with headquarters in the Netherlands, offering insurance, pension, and asset management solutions. At Aegon, Marielle has infused a ‘conversational approach’ into all communications across the business. In doing so, she has increased leadership visibility and approachability, created clearer call to actions, and ensured every conversation is what she calls ‘purposeful.’ In this interactive session, Marielle will talk about how she has recently used the conversational approach to launch a new company purpose and set of behaviours at Aegon.
Director Corporate & People Communications at Aegon Asset Management
Expert session: AI-powered search: enhancing findability for tomorrow
Knowledge workers spend a vast amount of time each day to find and gather information. While data is growing at an unprecedented rate, of which about 90% is unstructured, findability becomes a critical challenge. Employees grow frustrated and disengaged as they struggle to find the information they need to perform their tasks effectively. AI-powered search solutions are essential to enhance findability by navigating this growing data landscape.
Improving findability is no longer just about efficiency—it’s about maintaining a competitive edge as the speed and scale of data growth accelerate.
Sales Manager Digital Workplace & People at delaware BeLux
Manager Digital Workplace at delaware BeLux
11:45 - 12:25 Breakout session 2
During each of the break-out sessions, you have a choice between different parallel presentations.
Evolution of the hybrid and augmented workplace: results from the 2024 "Observatory" on latest trends in hybrid and augmented work
For more than 20 years, the French business consulting firm Arctus has been conducting annual studies to analyse trends in digital transformation and digital tools for the workplace. This year, their study focuses on the hybrid and augmented workplace. The focus of the report is on the transformation of today's workplace, from a technological point of view but also looking at the human aspects.
Alexander Twose, senior consultant at Arctus, will present the key figures and findings from the report.
Senior Consultant in Digital Transformation at Arctus
Case study: InSite, the key to UZ Brussel's internal communication
Petra Van San has been responsible for the internal communication of UZ Brussel for over 10 years. With about 4,000 employees, UZ Brussel is one of the largest hospitals in Belgium. Together with her colleagues, Petra has managed three different intranets. The current intranet, InSite, was launched about 2 years ago and occupies a central role in UZ Brussel's internal communication matrix. During a one-on-one interview with Pascal Herreweghe (Involv Intranet), Petra elaborates on the development and use of InSite. How was the development managed? What are the key objectives of InSite? How are ownership and content creation managed? What are InSite's challenges and roadmap? Petra and Pascal address these and other questions during their talk.
Petra Van San, Internal Communication Manager at UZ Brussel
Pascal Herreweghe,
Digital Communication Expert & Customer Success Manager at Involv Intranet
12:25 - 13:30 Lunch
A walking lunch is served in the central area of the conference venue. This is also an opportunity to network and to visit the booths of the exhibitors.
13:30 - 14:30 Choice between two workshops
In these interactive, one-hour workshops, you will take a deeper dive into the topic of your choice. Expect a mixture of tips and best practices presented by the workshop moderator, combined with audience interaction.
Unlocking the Real ROI of Copilot for Microsoft 365
When evaluating the $30 'Copilot for Microsoft 365' pricing, the first question that comes to mind is, “What is the Return on Investment (ROI)?” However, don’t be misled by oversimplified calculations. Determining the true ROI involves more than just a quick estimate.
What I will cover in this session:
- Understanding Copilot’s most interesting features and benefits.
- Real-world examples of ROI (share success stories).
- Practical tips for maximizing Copilot’s impact.
As an early adopter of Copilot since August 2023, I’ve introduced it to over 40+ organisations. Drawing from personal experiences and extensive discussions with customers and the community, I’ll provide a hands-on exploration of Copilot’s actual ROI.
Is it worth the investment? Let’s delve into the details together and find out in this interactive session!
Trusted Advisor Microsoft 365 at The Flow Consulting
The Ideal Communication Channel Mix:
Guarantee engagement and productivity with a Communication Channel Mix which perfects the balance of Channels & Platforms to target your employees most effectively
This session will cover:
- Refine channel choice with personalised, creative and tailored content and an innovative multichannel mix
- Help employees to navigate and prioritise the channels to improve their user experience
- Harness the potential of data insights to select the optimal channels and tools
- Balance promoting content with exciting and innovative storytelling to engage and motivate employees
Head of Digital Communications at Philips
14:35 - 15:15 Breakout session 4
During each of the break-out sessions, you have a choice between different parallel presentations.
How can AI support you with your internal communication efforts?
Looking for practical tips about how to use AI within internal communication? In this interactive session, Samuel will give tips and examples, and he will also present the results from research conducted jointly by Evolve and the VU (Vrije Universiteit) Amsterdam.
Principal Consultant at Evolve
Putting users at the heart of your intranet: DPG Media case study
Join this session to find out how DPG Media, a leading media powerhouse in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Denmark, revolutionized employee engagement and communication across its vast network. With a formidable reach of 15 million people daily and a portfolio of 90 diverse brands, DPG Media embarked on a transformative journey by adopting the LumApps platform to connect and empower its 5,900 employees.
Specifically, you will discover:
- How to design a central intranet for engaged employees?
- How can gamification revolutionize intranet experience and boost adoption?
- How to master a smooth transition from traditional emails to bottom-up community interactions?
- Next steps to engage our mobile workforce?
This session is a must-attend for those looking to enhance their internal communication strategies, offering insights into DPG Media's best practices and the tangible benefits of their digital transformation.
Karolien Van Loock, Internal and Corporate Communication Officer at DPG Media
15:15 - 15:45 Break
Time to grab a cup of coffee, network with other participants and visit the booths of the exhibitors.
15:45 - 16:25 Panel Discussion: The Digital Workplace in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
An expert panel will debate the subject and share their insights. Questions and active participation from the audience are strongly encouraged!.
16:30 - 16:50 Laugh 'n' Learn: How to Guarantee the Failure of your Digital Workplace Project
This year the conference will close on a lighter note, with a funny - but also educational - presentaton by digital workplace expert Sharon O'Dea. Sharon will do a cheeky, sharp and fun PowerPoint-based comedy act. She will take you through the steps to guarantee the failure of your digital workplace. Warning: You may recognise some of these steps in your own organisation... So now you'll know what to avoid going forward!
(Lithos Partners)
16:50 - 17:00 Closing remarks
Highlights and key take-aways of the conference presented by the conference organiser and the conference host.
Guy Van Leemput (ValueIntranet) & Christiaan Lustig
17:00 - 18:00 Networking drink
We end the day with some refreshments served in the central area of the conference venue.
organiser of the Brussels Digital Workplace Conference
CONTACT ME