The bar was set high!

Martin van Nierop has earned his spurs in hospitality. Among others, he has worked for leading companies such as Hotels van Oranje, Center Parcs, Servex and RAI Amsterdam. He is currently a Mt member at C-point (C.), one of the location partners of Event Park Amsterdam.

"In our search, we set the bar high. We were looking for a charismatic and committed foreman or woman within our regional network, with solid knowledge of and experience in the market. He or she needed to occupy as independent a position as possible and be able to be a discussion partner at various levels. After all, with the convention bureau we move within the business tourism market between both (inter)national meeting planners, national and regional platforms and politics." Says Michiel, also destination manager of Event Park Amsterdam.

The new chairman is boarding a moving train, but there is still a lot to gain. The meeting market is developing strongly in municipality Haarlemmermeer; a 20-minute drive from metropolis Amsterdam, with national airport Schiphol within its borders, over 45 international hotel brands and 5,500 beds the 2nd hotel municipality of the Netherlands. Thus, despite optimal accessibility, high availability and the fact that prices are on average 30% lower than surrounding historic cities, there is still much ground to be gained on the relative unfamiliarity of the events region within the market. "It takes time, but there will come a time when no one can ignore us," Michiel said.