IAB: International Advisory Board

The International Advisory Board (IAB) was established in 2004 by the Municipal Executive of the city of Rotterdam to serve as its sounding board on issues related to international economic developments. The aim of the IAB is to provide the city with economic perspectives and practical recommendations from an international point of view that will support the Municipal Executive and the city’s stakeholders in making the right choices for the ongoing economic development of Rotterdam. The IAB is a unique advisory council made up of international leaders in academia and the private and public sectors. Members of the IAB are invited to participate based on their expertise. Rotterdam Partners is tasked by the Municipal Executive to execute the IAB.

IAB conference 2021: MICE industry

The MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) industry is important for the Rotterdam economy. It  is a vehicle to drive high-value tourism generating local economic value, employment and income from tourist taxes. The industry also supports adjacent sectors such as leisure, hospitality and retail that are vital for the attractiveness of Rotterdam. Moreover, by bringing together people and knowledge across industries, MICE events can also act as a catalyst for the economic transition of our key sectors.

The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the outlook of the MICE industry: it paralysed the tourism industry and triggered an unprecedented economic crisis. The MICE industry is one of the sectors that has been hit hardest: restrictions on travel, business operations, and social interactions have led to countless event cancellations and postponements and declining participant numbers. As MICE events move online, it eliminates the need for MICE and hospitality services connected to the physical aspects of events and the local MICE sector is struggling to survive.

The MICE industry is not expected to return to normal after the pandemic. Global trends such as the adoption of sustainable business practices, the increasing demand for authentic experiences, and rapid technological advancements were already pushing for change in the industry and COVID-19 acted as a powerful catalyst to speed up this change.

The underlying transformations will force associations and corporations, the hosts of MICE events, to re-think their business models and the role of events within them. This fundamental reset will not only change the nature of events, but also impact the make-up of the MICE industry ecosystem and revenue models for destinations such as Rotterdam.

For this reason, the city government of Rotterdam asked Rotterdam Partners to form a special IAB to get a fresh perspective on the future of the MICE industry. This IAB MICE industry was chaired by Lars Crama and brought together around seven international experts from the MICE industry as well as some other industries. The IAB was asked to define how the transformation of the MICE industry will change future business and revenue models, to assess the impact on the MICE sector on our city and to identify how Rotterdam should move forward to take advantage of opportunities that arise.

During the IAB conference from 14 to 21 April 2021, the IAB members met virtually to work on these recommendations to the city government. At the end of the conference on 21 April, the IAB presented their advice to the city government (represented by Vice Mayor Roos Vermeij) and city stakeholders.

 

The final advice report of the IAB MICE Industry 2021 is now available. Click the image to open.

Image of the cover of the IAB MICE Industry report

View the final IAB MICE Industry report

View the IAB MICE presentation

Download the IAB MICE presentation

The members of the IAB conference 2021: MICE industry are:

Lars Crama is Managing Director at Innovators Inc and helps enterprise leaders to future proof their business. He is also one of the founding fathers of Arches Capital, a fast-growing group of business angels that is bridging the gap between Venture Capitalist (VCs) and business angels by joining the best of both worlds. Prior to founding Innovators Inc, he scaled a marketing technology agency to 300 employees; launched a Fortune 500 analytics venture into Europe and led corporate venturing programs at multinationals including Unilever, Liberty Global and NN Group. Today, as Private Lead of Up!Rotterdam, he connects and strengthens initiatives to provide Rotterdam based startups and scale-ups with easier access to talent, international markets and financing. He is also the Chief Ambassador for Upstream Festival, a platform and week-long festival to explore the new economy and foster connection, collaboration, and inspiration to scale change. Lars is also a member of the Supervisory Board of Rotterdam Partners.

Based in Paris, Bruce Redorr is an Anglo-American who has seen his international career develop over a 25-year period in a variety of sectors within the services, hospitality and meetings industries. Bruce began his management career working for a group of hospitals in the San Francisco Bay Area, after having received his Master’s in Hospital Management from U.C. Berkeley. After a five-year consulting stint with the CEGOS group in Paris, he joined the management team that built and operated Disneyland Paris, where he set up and ran the successful business unit for meetings and incentives: Disneyland Paris Business Solutions representing over €60m of annual sales. He then was recruited by the city of Lyon to take on the job of Chief Executive at the Convention and Visitors Bureau, where he was instrumental in turning the city into one of Europe’s leading business-travel and leisure destinations. During his stay, the number of international meetings held in Lyon increased by over 50%. Over the last few years, Bruce has developed a consulting and executive search practice. He has worked with key players in the travel industry including Hilton International, Accor, Expedia, Inc. and Lufthansa Airlines. As a partner at GainingEdge, Bruce has managed a number of strategic projects in the business events sector with a variety of leading destinations in Europe and in Africa.

 

Born and raised in New York City, Christina Caljé is a Goldman Sachs Executive Director turned startup founder and investor. A seasoned entrepreneur in the finance and technology sectors, Christina has launched and scaled businesses across New York, London and Amsterdam. Her hands-on approach has garnered Christina an esteemed reputation in the European startup scene as an effective operator, advisor and leadership role model. She has been profiled in such publications as Emerce, Business Insider, MT/Sprout, Telegraaf, Silicon Canals, RTL-Z and by tech giants Google and T-Mobile. The marketing tech platform she co-founded, Autheos, garnered distinction as a top ‘Startup Disrupting Media’ by EU-Startups and ‘Deep Tech Disrupting Industry’ by EIG Digital. Named by EUtop50 as ‘Top Woman Entrepreneur’, by Inspiring Fifty as one of the Netherlands’ most inspiring women in tech and by Silicon Canals as a ‘powerhouse female entrepreneur’, she is often invited to speak at industry and academic conferences on topics such as marketing innovation, entrepreneur-ship and accountability within AI-systems. Alongside her advisory leadership roles to multiple startups, she has expanded her focus in 2021 to the investment space, partnering with industry and governmental organisations to address the funding gap of underrepresented founders in Europe.

 

For the last 15 years, Guy has been delivering award-winning consulting services focused on helping cities, governments, associations and the hospitality industry step up, scale up and speed up their sustainability programmes and operational practices. Guy is a recognised expert on creating sustainable and regenerative destinations, communities and events. He is the founder and Managing Director of the Global Destinations Sustainability Movement; a transformation platform that engages, inspires and enables destinations to become more regenerative, flourishing and resilient places to visit, meet and live in. Previously Guy was the President of the Green Meeting Industry Council, and from 2006 to 2018 he was the Sustainability Director of MCI, the world’s largest association management, communications and events agency. Guy’s pioneering work has been recognised with 22 sustainability awards including the prestigious Events Industry Council Pacesetter Award, the IMEX-EIC Innovation in Sustainability Award, the UNWTO Innovation Award. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment and teaches Regenerative Leadership at the Esade Business School in Barcelona.

As a world-leading expert in human-focused design and gamification, the global career of Joris Beerda in creating engagement spans across 17 years, 15 countries and 7 languages. He has designed human-focused experiences for dozens of Fortune 500s and medium sized companies. He is also a well-known keynote speaker on gamification at conferences throughout Europe, Asia, and Australia. Early in his career, Joris was a high level diplomat in the Netherlands Foreign Service and was responsible for creating people-engagement in high-stress dangerous situations. He also authored and coached the virtual training mission for the NATO mission in Afghanistan (ISAF). In Joris’ work as a Global Advisory Manager for PricewaterhouseCoopers, he continued his engagement consulting services and pioneered a project with the United Nations to achieve better engagement of the organization with its members and beneficiaries. Prior to joining The Octalysis Group, Joris focused on the human resources industry, implementing innovative ways for virtual, distance HR and project management methods in finance, oil and gas and IT. He resided in Indonesia, Singapore and Hong Kong, where he headed up large corporate entities. Joris holds a Masters in International Relations and Economics from the University of Amsterdam and an EMBA from the Kelley School of Business.

Nick Morgan is CEO of We Are The Fair and We Are Placemaking. Nick, has over 23 years’ experience across large-scale event production, licensing and health & safety within public realm, large scale events and festivals. Nick sits on the NOEA Council (National Outdoor Events Association), is Vice Chair of AIF (Association of Independent Festivals), a Vice Chair of BVEP (Business Visits and Event Partnership), Mentor and Facilitator for The High Street Task Force, is a member of the NTIA and strongly believes that the ‘informal events’ industry, an industry that brings in over £5 billion / year, should be championed, developed and supported by Government. More recently Nick joined the Festival DCMS/Public Health England Workforce. The independent festival sector is close to his heart and The Fair are one of the largest independent festival production houses in the UK working across 128 shows from Gala, Peckham to Eastern Electrics, Morden. Nick often speaks on and facilitates discussion on topics that include managing growth, independent festivals, the experience economy, government advocacy, placemaking, licensing and health & safety at many industry events including the Event Production Show, LAEOG and The All Parliamentary Group for Events.

 

Patrick de Laive is founder and CPO of TNW (The Next Web) a global digital brand that informs, inspires and connects people who love tech through media, events and services. TNW is now part of the Financial Times Group. Patrick has 15 years of experience in building digital products, companies and rolling out award winning large scale events like TNW Conference as well as The Global Boardroom. Patrick is an advisor to several startups in the digital space. He is born and raised in Rotterdam.

Senthil Gopinath has over 20 years’ experience in the meetings, association and leisure industry. He has held a wide spectrum of positions in the meetings industry. Such as CEO of Convention Bureau of Sri Lanka, Vice President of Kuoni. He moved to Dubai in 2006 and has been working for Congress Solutions International, the Professional Congress Organizer (PCO) arm of Emirates Group, eventually holding responsibility for wide ranging business development, sales and operations functions for some of the largest international meetings held in the UAE, including the World Diabetes Congress, UITP, and World Economic Forum. He has been involved in winning many congress bids for Dubai, UAE and the Region. Senthil has been working with the global association fraternity for more than two decades and has in depth knowledge on global association segment development. He was the Regional Director Middle East for the last three years of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) headquartered in the Netherlands. Since 2019, he is the Chief Executive Officer of ICCA. He was named Global Business Events Strategist of the Year by PCMA-USA in 2019.

Previous IAB editions and recommendations

Please find below the reports and recommendations of previous editions of the IAB.

Over the last couple of years, Rotterdam has experienced growth in many aspects. Netherland’s second city has entered a new stage in its development, characterised by the arrival of new companies, new inhabitants settling and more tourists visiting the city. In a relatively short timeframe, Rotterdam went from an industrial city that only Rotterdammers knew how to appreciate, to a city dubbed by CNN to be the ‘New Capital of Cool’. Last year alone the number of overnight stays increased by 15% to a total of 2,1 million.

The city of Rotterdam celebrates these numbers and the positive effects they have on the local economy and the livelihood in certain areas. At the same time, we are aware that there are places in the world where tourism isn’t just a force for good, but can have a negative impact as well. Known examples are Venice, Amsterdam and Barcelona. That is not to say that Rotterdam is in danger of becoming the next Venice. On the contrary: Rotterdam finds itself in a luxury position. Right now, the city profits from its increased popularity and at the same time it can still make choices to let tourism be a force for good in the future as well.

The City Council has decided to develop a broad and long term vision on the role tourism should have in the city of Rotterdam. Their starting point is that ‘every Rotterdammer should profit from tourism’. This means that tourism is not a goal in itself, but that it should contribute to the larger ambitions the city has: ambitions in the area of economic development, but also in the areas of sustainability, livability and the identity of our city.

To assist in this process, the Municipal Executive Committee  asked Rotterdam Partners to organize a special ‘expert’ edition of their International Advisory Board (IAB), an IABx Tourism. From 13-15 May international experts in the fields of tourism, (city)branding and urban development came together in Rotterdam to share their knowledge and expertise on the subject.

The members of the 2019 IABx Tourism were:

  • Larry Beasley
  • Anna Pollock
  • Martin Boisen
  • Miek de Roeck
  • Peter Jordan
  • Jannelieke Aalstein
  • Claudio Milano
  • Renee Marcelis
  • Jeremy Smith

Rotterdam underwent enormous development on various fronts in the past five years. Its image has greatly improved, both nationally and internationally. As a tourist destination the growth of its popularity is outperforming the national average, but Rotterdam is also on the rise as a business destination and as a destination for creative industries and international encounter.

The ambition of both the cultural sector and the city is to strengthen Rotterdam’s position as a national and international cultural hotspot as well. How can we profile the city in such a way that it really earns a place on the map internationally, not only for tourists, but also for the art lovers, curious residents and collectors?

That is why a new-style IAB, the “IABx”, will be dedicated to the cultural sector. This new-style IAB, the IABx, will be comprised of two key meetings: one in April and a shorter session in September or October 2017. During the preparations for these sessions there will be close collaboration with the municipality, RRKC (Rotterdam Art and Culture Council), the consultations of the directors of Rotterdam Art Institutions (DO), Rotterdam Festivals, etc.

Involvement of the field

One of the important elements of the new set-up of the IAB is that the field/urban stakeholders will be involved at several times to ensure that the line of interaction/knowledge exchange becomes longer and that the preparation of the advice becomes an iterative process that is longer than almost one year.

By building in several feedback loops, returning 1st ideas/early opinions to the field and asking for reactions and reflection, the advice will have been jointly designed and will be better supported.

Together all this input led to the recommendations of the IABx 2017 on Culture.

Members

The members of the IABx Culture 2017 were:

  • Mr J.P. (Jan Peter) Balkenende
    Chairman IAB Rotterdam | External Advisor to EY | Professor Governance, Institutions & Internationalisation at Erasmus University Rotterdam | Former Prime-Minister of the Netherlands
  • Mr. M. (Michael) Shanks
    Professor of Archaeology, Stanford University I Senior Faculty Member, Hasso Plattner Institute of Design (Stanford d.school) I Co-Director Revs Program, Center for Automotive Reserach at Stanford I Former Co-Director, Stanford Humanities Lab.
  • Ms. F. (Francine) Houben
    Founding Partner / Creative Director at Mecanoo | Board Member at the Society of Arts of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences | Member of the Van Alen Institute | Member of the Akademie der Künste | Board Member at the Carnegie Foundation | Member of the Supervisory Board at Kröller-Müller Museum.
  • Mr. P. (Peter) Aspden
    Arts Writer at Financial Times
  • Mr. R. (Robert) Palmer
    Robert Palmer is an independent consultant who works internationally on a wide range of cultural projects in the areas of cultural policy and strategy, organisational development, festivals and events, the creative economy and issues related to cultural policy and strategy, cultural rights and the cultural development of cities. He was formerly the Director of Culture and Cultural and National Heritage for the Council of Europe based in Strasbourg, France (2006-2013).
  • Ms. Y. (Yasha) Young
    Yasha Young is the director and curator of URBAN NATION. Her creative vision is catalyst to the creation and evolvement of the two internationally renowned Project M/ and OneWall series. As former gallery owner, curator and producer, Young is deeply involved in the international urban arts sphere.
  • Mr. B. (Burkhard) Kieker
    Burkhard Kieker has been Chief Executive Officer of visitBerlin since 1 January 2009 and is thus the city’s senior tourism advertiser. He previously headed the Marketing and Corporate Communication department of Berlin Airports for many years. Kieker is a trained journalist (“Die Zeit”, Deutsche Welle TV).
  • Ms. M. (Michelle) Provoost (advisor)
    Dr. Michelle Provoost is an architectural historian specialised in urban planning history, postwar architecture and contemporary urban development.
  • Mr. S. (Sander) de Iongh
    Secretary General of IAB Rotterdam.

Download the report and of appendices:

The 9th International Advisory Board (IAB) Conference took place on 19, 20, 21 May 2015

We are all aware of our changing environment. Current trends drive profound changes in political, economic, societal and organisational systems. The world’s population is growing rapidly and massive urbanisation is tipping the balance on the way humanity has up until now inhabited this planet. The consequences of climate change are manifesting themselves. It is clear that we are in the middle of another industrial revolution, driven by these trends and by ongoing digitization and technological advances. It is also clear that our existing systems and structures are not geared towards dealing with this latest industrial revolution. This ‘Next Economy’ calls for ‘Next Cities’ and calls for governments, businesses and societal structures that are much more flexible and resilient than the rigidity of existing systems allows. Just like the rest of the world, Rotterdam faces the challenges presented to us in this next economy. However, Rotterdam also happens to be one of the best-placed and bestequipped cities to take on these challenges and turn them into opportunities, provided we move ourselves into a leading-edge position to take the most advantage.

Rotterdam has an enviable natural delta position with world-class state-of-the-art port facilities. The largest challenge for humanity in the coming decades will center around the three most important basic needs of people: food, water and energy. These three basic needs translate into major global sectors that provide these basic needs to people. Rotterdam is unique in the world in that it happens to be world-leading in these three specific sectors, supported by world-class logistics to enable distribution of products, services and the sharing of knowledge.

However, these three sectors are still for a large part producing and functioning according to the existing systems and being supported by the old structures of government, rules and regulations. Rotterdam and the Netherlands can boast many major innovations in the fields of food, water and energy, and the companies and main actors within these sectors are very aware further innovation is needed. However, rapid progress towards making the most of opportunities provided by the next economy is imperative. Government, businesses, science and the educational sector, and citizens need to work closely together to make this happen.

Rotterdam is well underway to realising this potential, but speed and focus are needed by its key players. Rotterdam has a strong and diversified economic base well positioned for the growth and connection of the sectors food, water and energy. Rotterdam has a strong knowledge-base and a flexible and resilient attitude within its people. Rotterdam has strong networks that it needs to know, be aware of and interconnect so they can build on each others’ strengths. Rotterdam has a very young and creative population: a new generation that needs to be challenged and encouraged in experimentation, inventing and entrepreneurship.

The members of the IAB were impressed by the tangible progress of all the physical changes in the city, and were particularly inspired by all the activities and initiatives they found at grass roots level in the neighbourhoods. The overall conclusion is that Rotterdam has real treasures, real dynamics and vibrancy and real sources for growth and progress available within its population. In short, Rotterdam has everything it needs to be a leading discovery city.

The seventh edition of the International Advisory Board Conference took place in Rotterdam on the 18th, 19th and 20th of May 2011. Twelve experts from various different countries around the world, led by Chairman Mr Alexander Rinnooy Kan, spent three intensive days debating the future necessary choices Rotterdam has to make in order to be able to guarantee sustainable economic growth for the coming decades.

The members of the International Advisory Board presented their recommendations to the Municipal Executive on Friday 20 May 2011.

During 2010 and 2011 the members of the Economic Development Board Rotterdam embarked on a comprehensive scenario study project called Rethinking Rotterdam. During this time the economic and social future of Rotterdam over the next 20 to 25 years was analysed and four possible scenario’s emerged, both positive and negative. The IAB was asked to consider possible future policy options against the background of these four scenario’s. As a result of this the members of the IAB advised on four main themes, keeping in mind the challenges raised by the scenario’s and possible future outcomes:

  1. Make sure that Rotterdam becomes and remains an attractive city in which to live and work, with a strong underlying economy. The IAB gives several recommendations on how and why this should be achieved.
  2. Focus on new types of governance structures and ensure decisive executive action. Rotterdam is excellent at making plans, but less proactive in the execution and implementation of these plans. Global developments call for new and decisive leadership. The IAB gives examples of how and why this should be achieved in Rotterdam.
  3. Give priority to regional cooperation and include building alliances across the board – from economics,, to culture, to knowledge institutions, to healthcare – and look at a much larger area than just the towns in the immediate vicinity. There are many more opportunities out there and in order to be able to continue to compete globally more regional cooperation in necessary.
  4. A recurring recommendation from the IAB is to focus more on making both the city and the port more sustainable. The IAB feels that the development towards a bio-based economy is an opportunity that Rotterdam should embrace whole-heartedly and without reserve. Efforts should be made to speed up this process within the city and port.

 

In 2009 the International Advisory Board convened for the sixth time to discuss Rotterdam’s future economic development from an international perspective on 4, 5 and 6 november. The central theme for this year’s Conference was “Our challenge to achieve strategic leadership and to set up decisive governance for the next decade against the current climate”.

According to the International Advisory Board 2009:

Rotterdam is a mature economy built on some great historical successes and achievements. However, it is our belief that Rotterdam must not rely on its past glory in order to secure a great future for the port and the city. Rather we believe it is the time to embark on an exciting next stage of transformation and development. Internationally, Rotterdam has many new competitors, yet she retains many strategic advantages. You have great geography and resourceful and diverse people. To capitalise on these strengths, clarity around Rotterdam’s next stage of development is essential, a new leadership commitment by all stakeholders critical, and a renewed sense of urgency and momentum, highly desirable.

As a result of the world economic crisis and the re-inventions phase that the Rotterdam Port and City is going through, it is our view that a rare opportunity exists to exercise decisive strategic leadership in building new economic opportunities and deepening your sense of community. If you succeed you will define your future.

The members of the International Advisory Board of the City of Rotterdam 2009 have every confidence that if a significant number of our recommendations are implemented as outlined above, then along with your own very extensive efforts to date, Rotterdam will continue to be described in the future by those who live here and those who visit or do business here, as a World Port, World City in every sense of the words. We encourage the EDBR and YoungEDBR to both lead and monitor this process.

Download the 2008 IAB report

In 2008 the IAB assembled for their fifth annual conference. During this edition the IAB looked back to see what has been achieved through the IAB’s previous recommendations and to see whether any of the previous recommendations would need a further boost from the IAB to turn them into real achievements.

Theme 1: Leadership: achieving follow through

  • The Rotterdam Climate Initiative The IAB recommends that the city’s ambition is raised to go from a reduction in CO2 emissions by 50% by 2020, to a reduction of 80% by 2050.
  • Rotterdam needs to outsource the execution and implementation of plans and projects to dedicated external organisations.
  • More emphasis is needed on the development of green energy and green logistics.
    The city needs to move forward with more speed and determination on the development of Stadshavens and their intention of realising the proposed Climate Campus.
  • Rotterdam must exploit their knowledge and expertise on water; make it a key industry and export product.
  • Rotterdam has the most excellent facilities to build a world renowned knowledge centre on logistics. Rotterdam has the potential to play the leading role in the world in this field and there is real commercial potential to exploit this further.
  • It is fundamentally necessary for the Traffic Management Company to have the mandate, budget and authority to make the necessary decisions with speed.

Theme 2: Quality of life: improving the city’s living environment

The city should continue to let her inhabitants build on their own community: give them a sense of ownership and responsibility.
The IAB feels stresses again the need for the city to develop the waterfront into attractive living and meeting places.
Rotterdam should do far more to showcase this architecture and these architects. Architecture is a catalyst for further economic growth.
The IAB asked for special attention for the younger generation. More attention should be paid to involve the younger generation and make sure they are given a feeling of stakeholdership with their own Rotterdam future.

Download the 2008 IAB report

Download the 2007 IAB report

As was done in 2006, the 2007 conference reached back to some of the themes and issues that were discussed before and sought to introduce further recommendations on these. The themes and the main recommendations for 2007 were:

Water

Looking at one of Rotterdam’s USP’s and how to capitalize on it.
– Develop the waterfront for business.
– Develop living and leisure environment.
– Build more water storage areas in the city/green roofs
– Develop transport over water.

Leading Intercultural City

Leading on from themes introduced in 2004 and 2005, focus was given to:
– Building a common economic dream.
– To set shining examples.
– Create opportunities for economic participation.

New Cooperation Models/Accessibility

This was introduced as a new theme for 2007. Recommendations involved:
– The creation of a new traffic management system for the port.
– Building a new ring road, expand transport via water.
– Make a comprehensive infrastructural plan for the future, not just a ‘transport plan’.

Download the 2007 IAB report

Download the 2006 IAB report

2006 saw a continuation of some of the themes introduced in 2005, where the IAB members looked at some of the issues in a more in-depth way. Such as taking the theme negativism and turning it into identifying Rotterdam’s USP’s. Two new themes were introduced as well.
Unique Selling Points

  • Positioning Rotterdam as the world capital of CO2 free energy/smart port of the future and become the leading intercultural city in Europe, develop an ambitious marketing plan, shake off modesty, vitalise the city and become a leading city.
  • Other USP’s of Rotterdam are: the creative industry, the medical sector and the City of Water (central theme for the IAB in 2007).

Development of Science Business Park Schieveen

  • In order to achieve this goal the existing preconditions concerning physical limitations (Rotterdam Airport and city boundaries) need to be addressed.
  • Focus on attracting the right type of businesses.
  • Universities, knowledge and science centres need to work together and accessibility needs to be improved.

Energy

  • Position Rotterdam as the world capital of CO2 free energy/smart port of the future attain this goal by 2025.
  • The target is to reduce the emissions of the city by 50% from 80 million tonnes to 40 million tonnes. This will be done by introducing energy efficiencies, CO2 capature and storage, and producing CO2 free energy.

Download the 2006 IAB report

Download the 2005 IAB report

From the themes discussed in 2004, a number were discussed at the conference in 2005, with the following recommendations:

Rotterdam/Shanghai

  • Capitalize on the relationship between Rotterdam and its sister city of Shanghai. For instance working together to become the global number one port, initialising an exchange of people and culture, an increased exchange of goods and money and an exchange of knowledge and ideas.
  • Establish a China Desk.
  • Make Rotterdam road signs in Chinese.
  • Take part in the Rotterdam-Holland House World Expo in 2010.

Creating an inclusive society

  • Integration does not work, create an inclusive society instead.
  • Stop thinking in terms of groups, start thinking in terms of individuals.
  • Find heroes and inspirational leaders and involve them in the processes.
  • Make use of the talents of immigrants.

Regulation/planning

  • Stop over-regulating and over-planning.
  • Enable young entrepreneurs, don’t discourage them.
  • Create free zones for new business, for creative industries, help, enable and empower.

Culture/negativism

  • Be proud, stop being humble.
  • Make a progressive and aggressive agenda, move forward.
  • Be explicit about eagerness to win.

Download the 2005 IAB report

Download the 2004 IAB report

2004 saw the start of the IAB and the first conference was used mainly for the establishment of the IAB, the fleshing out of the IAB’s tasks and to let the members get to know Rotterdam better. The conference was also used to discuss several themes that are not only important to Rotterdam, but to all cities in the world. The IAB looked at the meaning of these themes for Rotterdam. From these discussions the topics for the IAB conference in 2005 were chosen.

Is Rotterdam ready for ongoing globalization?

  • The world is getting both smaller and larger.
  • Are we ready for the post-oil era?
  • Are we ready for robotics, genetics, ICT and nanotechnology? Are we ready to make the best use of new technologies to induce economic growth?

Are we fully aware of the impact of up-and-coming Asian Markets?

  • What is the value of Asian markets and their impact in world economies and what does it mean for the position of Rotterdam in the world. Where can we compete?

Introducing new ways of seeing and doing

  • How does Rotterdam see itself, how do city and port relate. Where can we improve ourselves?

Showing leadership

  • Organise and market yourself successfully.
  • Motivate and inspire.
  • Government, businesses, universities, regions, should work together.

Download the 2004 IAB report

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Pictures on this page: Bas Czerwinski, Iris van den Broek, Guido Pijper

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