The City of The Hague is at the beginning of an exciting period. It has already begun with the celebration of the opening of the Peace Palace 100 years ago.
A few more highlights include:
- In November the city will celebrate the 200th anniversary of the arrival of King Willem 1 in Scheveningen and which is considered to be the start of the Dutch Kingdom
- The Mauritshuis Museum will reopen in 2014 after having undergone extensive renovations
- In April 2014 The Hague will host the Nuclear Security Summit
- And last but not least the season will close with the 2014 Hockey World Cup
A lot of excitement in town and changes too!
I trust that the WBII will also have an exciting year ahead with positive changes and renewal for everybody.
Our Executive Board is back from Summer, renewed and full of energy.
Our first network evening, held in August, was very well attended. Toon Buddingh – a true business incubation professional – talked with us about the importance of presenting our business with a solid pitch.
We learned how important it is to listen well and try to get a personal connection with our contacts.
As the new President of WBII, I would like to use our time together effectively, and for our mutual benefit. It’s important that we get to know each other even better, because if we know more about what each of our members is doing, it is much easier to collaborate, and to help each other’s business grow.
To put this idea into action, we are starting with a new column in our newsletter (sign up using the form on the right). We will be showcasing a few members in each of our newsletters, in order to help you to get to know each other better. All members are invited to fill in a questionnaire so we can highlight you and your business in one of the upcoming newsletters. We have such an interesting group of members, working in an amazing variety of businesses; this column will be one you won’t want to miss reading!
Our new WBII International Community Calendar 2014 is hot off the press!
It is fair to say that thanks to Lisa Hall of Lemonberry, we have again a beautiful calendar with amazing photos! So a big thank you to Lisa from all the members for all the time and energy you have put into it.
Thanks also to our members and others who have supported the calendar through their advertising. We encourage you to contact them the next time you need a particular service or product. Because of their generous support, we are able to provide free calendars to all!
The calendars will be available at the ‘Feel at Home in The Hague Fair’. You can pick up one for yourself and for your business relations.
With this calendar, you will be sure not to miss all the upcoming activities at the WBII, the important dates in our local schools and events in the city.
We look forward to hearing from you with your ideas and suggestions. We hope to see you at the ‘Feel at Home in The Hague Fair’ on September 15 and at our upcoming network evening with Diane Lemieux about ‘The Mobile Life’ on September 26.
Or by chance we just meet you around town!
Akkie Okma
WBII President & Owner of Okma Advies
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photo credits: (Peace Palace) Karen Rustad