New technologies are emerging at a rapid pace, but real progress isn’t just about what’s new—it’s about what actually works for your organisation. At the “The Connected Workplace” event, we’ll explore how people, technology and organisations reinforce one another and how innovation, collaboration and optimisation come together in one connected workplace. Where progress meets practice.

We are hosting this event together with our sister organisation Bechtle   and you can expect inspiring keynote speakers, in‑depth sessions where you can engage with experts, clear insights and practical takeaways. With two dedicated tracks—Innovation and Optimisation—you choose whether to focus on IT trends or on what matters right now for your organisation.

And that’s exactly why you’ll want to be there. Click the button below to register.

Event information.

  • Date: Thursday, 19 March 2026
  • Start: 09:30
  • End: 15:45
  • Location: Midden Nederland Hallen (Evenementenkas), Thorbeckelaan 123D, 3771 ED Barneveld
  • Host: Gijs van der Putten

Count me in

Join us on 19 March to explore answers to the questions that matter most:

  • How do you identify the next step for your organisation, and which IT trends are truly relevant?
  • How do you use AI tools such as Microsoft Copilot Agents in a practical way, without adding unnecessary complexity?
  • How do you maintain control over both security and ease of use in the modern workplace?
  • What can you already optimise today to enable faster innovation tomorrow?

Together, we bring structure to a landscape full of choices so you know what to act on now, and what can safely wait.

Agenda.

09:30 – 10:00

Arrival and welcome

We’ll welcome you with a cup of coffee or tea, giving you time to arrive at ease and connect with other participants. Please arrive on time, as the programme starts promptly at 10:00.

10:00 – 10:10

Opening

We kick off the day and set the tone right away with what’s hip and what’s happening, and how do you find the path that fits your organisation?
10:10 – 10:55

Keynote 1:

The power of a bad idea (Rico Bakker)

Innovation doesn’t always start with a brilliant idea. In fact, more often than not, it begins with something that initially sounds illogical or even “too crazy to be true”. In an accessible and humorous way, Rico Bakker shows how to break patterns, create space for renewal and learn to look at opportunities from a different perspective.

What you’ll take away from this keynote: A fresh perspective, along with practical tools to have smarter and more effective conversations about innovation.

11:05 – 11:40

Deep dive round 1:

The modern workplace

Innovation track: Microsoft Copilot Agents in practice (Tim ter Haar, Bechtle)

AI is everywhere. But what can you actually do with it these days? In this session, we explore the latest developments within the Microsoft Copilot platform. Using recent Microsoft Copilot Ignite updates and Microsoft Build Agents, we show which features are already available and what they mean in practice for your organisation. You’ll gain a clear overview of what can be deployed today—practical, accessible and focused on immediate value.

Why choose this deep dive: Because you want to understand how to specifically use agents, without turning them into an experimental side project.

 

Optimisation track: Meetings without the hassle (Onno Janssen, Bechtle)

Discover which solutions and best practices from recent years truly make a difference in hybrid meetings, and how to set up your meeting rooms for optimal use. During this deep dive, we’ll show how to make meetings reliable and user‑friendly, both for people in the room and for colleagues working in a hybrid setup.

Why choose this deep dive: You’ll leave with three tangible actions you can apply immediately, helping you reduce meeting noise and achieve better results.

11:55 – 12:30 

Deep dive round 2:

Security and compliance

Innovation track: Future‑proof IT security (Jules Wouters, Trend Micro) 

Security isn’t a box you tick once—it’s an ongoing discipline. In this session, we explore how to keep IT security future‑proof in a workplace that is becoming smarter, more flexible and increasingly connected, without restricting or locking down end users.

Why choose this deep dive: Because you want to move forward with security—with control and realism.

 

Optimisation track: Data sovereignty under control (Gino van Essen, Bechtle)

Data is everywhere, and the question “Where is my data actually located?” is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of geopolitical tensions. In this session, you’ll gain practical guidance on how to approach data sovereignty. What does this mean for the way you design your data landscape, and how do you maintain control in a changing geopolitical environment without locking everything down?

Why choose this deep dive: Because it’s more important than ever to think strategically about a data setup that aligns with both your policy and your operational reality.

12:30 – 13:15

Lunch

Time to recharge and, above all, continue the conversation with peers and experts while enjoying a delicious lunch.

13:15 – 13:50 

Deep dive round 3:

Data and cloud

Innovation track: The power of Microsoft Fabric

Data and insights only truly deliver value when they work together. In this session, Rick Deneer and Mark Bisschop from Advantive share the latest developments in data‑ and AI‑driven working with Microsoft Fabric. You’ll gain a clear view of the trends shaping the field today and what they mean for your organisation, plus they’ll show how data and AI agents help you answer data questions faster, create reports easily with Copilot, and gain immediate insights from your own data.

Why choose this deep dive: Because you want to work in a data‑driven way, without adding extra silos or complexity.

 

Optimisation track: Stable on‑prem architecture (Clemens Esser, HPE)

On‑prem is far from a thing of the past. In fact, for many organisations it remains a smart path to stability, control and scalability—especially in times of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. In this deep dive, we explore modern on‑prem architecture: how to design it efficiently, how to build a future‑proof solution, and how it fits within a hybrid reality. What belongs in the cloud, and which data is best kept on‑prem?

Why choose this deep dive: You’ll gain practical guidance on making the right choices between cloud and on‑prem and on how to implement them effectively.

14:00 – 14:30 

Panel discussion:

Innovation vs Optimisation

Should you innovate first, or start by optimising? And when is something truly happening? In this panel, we bring the two tracks of the day together and make the discussion practical and relevant. Which choices move your organisation forward, and which mainly drain time and energy?

14:30 – 14:45

Wrap-up

We wrap up with the key takeaways of the day and a look ahead.
14:45 – 15:45

Drinks

Time to continue the conversation and network. Ask questions, share experiences and ideas, and make connections that will remain valuable well beyond 19 March.

Why you don’t want to miss this event.

Because you’re not looking for trend‑driven theory, but for clear direction.

  • You’ll gain practical insights for a future‑proof workplace strategy.
  • You choose the track that best fits your organisation’s needs—Innovation or Optimisation.
  • You’ll learn how people, technology and organisation reinforce one another in the connected workplace.
  • You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions and network with experts and fellow IT professionals.
  • You’ll take away actionable ideas you can start applying in your organisation tomorrow.
  • You’ll leave with one clear takeaway—what’s hip and what’s truly happening.

 

Count me in

Meet our speakers.

Rico Bakker

Rico Bakker

Keynote speaker on innovation and creativity.

Rico Bakker is a keynote speaker who brings creativity and innovation to life in an accessible and humorous way, using recognisable anecdotes and practical tools. He takes audiences into his philosophy of “The Power of a Bad Idea.” As the creator of the Bad Ideas Podcast, he challenges people to let go of fixed patterns, dare to ask unconventional questions and explore ideas that fall outside the norm—because that’s exactly where innovation begins. Rico’s presentations are interactive, sharp and refreshingly down‑to‑earth, showing that innovative thinking isn’t about grand visions, but about creating space for new perspectives.

 

Clemens Esser

Clemens Esser

Chief Technologist & Presales Manager at HPE Netherlands.

Clemens Esser shares his vision of a stable on‑prem architecture in a hybrid world. In his role at Hewlett Packard Enterprise, he works closely with large organisations, coordinates cloud initiatives, and supports customers in making future‑proof decisions for their IT architecture.

Tim ter Haar

Tim ter Haar

Alliance Manager Microsoft at Bechtle Netherlands.

Within Bechtle, Tim ter Haar is responsible for strengthening and expanding partnerships with Microsoft and other strategic partners. With a focus on solutions such as Microsoft 365, Microsoft Azure and Microsoft Copilot, he helps organisations apply new technologies in a practical and purposeful way. During his session, he demonstrates how Copilot Agents add real value, without becoming complex or experimental.

Onno Janssen

Onno Janssen

AV Solution Consultant at Bechtle Netherlands.

Onno Janssen has over ten years of experience with audiovisual solutions for modern workplaces. With a strong background in Microsoft Teams Rooms and the integration of AV solutions within IT environments, he helps organisations make hybrid meetings reliable and user‑friendly. His focus is always on solutions that simply work, ensuring smooth collaboration—both in‑person and hybrid.

Rick Deneer en Mark Bisschop

Rick Deneer en Mark Bisschop

Team Lead Productivity & Tech Lead Data & AI at Advantive.

Rick Deneer and Mark Bisschop guide audiences through the world of Microsoft Fabric, Copilot and data‑driven working. Drawing on their day‑to‑day practice, they support organisations in using Microsoft 365, AI and cloud solutions in a smart and secure way. Combining strategic insight with hands‑on demonstrations, they show how data and AI can already deliver value today—without unnecessary complexity or hype.

Gino van Essen

Gino van Essen

Solution Consultant at Bechtle Netherlands.

Gino van Essen advises organisations in both the public and commercial sectors on cloud strategies and architectures. With in‑depth expertise in Microsoft Azure, AWS and hybrid IT environments, he helps organisations make well‑considered choices around cloud, data and governance. During his session on data sovereignty, Gino explains how to maintain control over data in a changing geopolitical landscape—and how to combine cloud and on‑prem intelligently without compromising control, compliance or flexibility. A topic that is more relevant than ever.

Jules Wouters

Jules Wouters

Solution Engineer at Trend Micro.

Jules Wouters is a Solution Engineer at Trend Micro, advising large organisations on their cybersecurity strategies. He supports organisations in strengthening their security architecture with modern, effective solutions and helps bring cyber risks into focus—all the way up to board level.

Connected Workplace Event Location

The venue – Midden Nederland Hallen (Evenementenkas)

The event venue perfectly aligns with the theme “The Connected Workplace.” The bright, open greenhouse symbolises transparency, connection and growth—exactly the elements needed to bring people, technology and organisations together. Thanks to its flexible layout, the venue offers space for both plenary sessions and interactive break‑outs, without ever feeling large or impersonal. Everything is within walking distance, enhancing flow and connection between participants. A location where ideas, conversations and technology naturally come together.

Register now for the “The Connected Workplace” event.

We look forward to welcoming you to this Bechtle & ARP event. Secure your place and sign up today, and let us know your preferred deep‑dive sessions when completing the registration form.

Deep dive round 1:
Deep dive round 2:
Deep dive round 3:
Deep dive round 1:
The modern workplace
Innovation track: Microsoft Copilot Agents in practice (Tim ter Haar, Bechtle)

AI is everywhere. But what can you actually do with it these days? In this session, we explore the latest developments within the Microsoft Copilot platform. Using recent Microsoft Copilot Ignite updates and Microsoft Build Agents, we show which features are already available and what they mean in practice for your organisation. You’ll gain a clear overview of what can be deployed today—practical, accessible and focused on immediate value.

Why choose this deep dive: Because you want to understand how to specifically use agents, without turning them into an experimental side project.

 

Optimisation track: Meetings without the hassle (Onno Janssen, Bechtle)

Discover which solutions and best practices from recent years truly make a difference in hybrid meetings, and how to set up your meeting rooms for optimal use. During this deep dive, we’ll show how to make meetings reliable and user‑friendly, both for people in the room and for colleagues working in a hybrid setup.

Why choose this deep dive: You’ll leave with three tangible actions you can apply immediately, helping you reduce meeting noise and achieve better results.

Deep dive round 2:
Security and compliance
Innovation track: Future‑proof IT security (Jules Wouters, Trend Micro) 

Security isn’t a box you tick once—it’s an ongoing discipline. In this session, we explore how to keep IT security future‑proof in a workplace that is becoming smarter, more flexible and increasingly connected, without restricting or locking down end users.

Why choose this deep dive: Because you want to move forward with security—with control and realism.

 

Optimisation track: Data sovereignty under control (Gino van Essen, Bechtle)

Data is everywhere, and the question “Where is my data actually located?” is becoming increasingly relevant in the context of geopolitical tensions. In this session, you’ll gain practical guidance on how to approach data sovereignty. What does this mean for the way you design your data landscape, and how do you maintain control in a changing geopolitical environment without locking everything down?

Why choose this deep dive: Because it’s more important than ever to think strategically about a data setup that aligns with both your policy and your operational reality.

Deep dive round 3:
Data and cloud
Innovation track: The power of Microsoft Fabric

Data and insights only truly deliver value when they work together. In this session, Rick Deneer and Mark Bisschop from Advantive share the latest developments in data‑ and AI‑driven working with Microsoft Fabric. You’ll gain a clear view of the trends shaping the field today and what they mean for your organisation, plus they’ll show how data and AI agents help you answer data questions faster, create reports easily with Copilot, and gain immediate insights from your own data.

Why choose this deep dive: Because you want to work in a data‑driven way, without adding extra silos or complexity.

 

Optimisation track: Stable on‑prem architecture (Clemens Esser, HPE)

On‑prem is far from a thing of the past. In fact, for many organisations it remains a smart path to stability, control and scalability—especially in times of heightened geopolitical uncertainty. In this deep dive, we explore modern on‑prem architecture: how to design it efficiently, how to build a future‑proof solution, and how it fits within a hybrid reality. What belongs in the cloud, and which data is best kept on‑prem?

Why choose this deep dive: You’ll gain practical guidance on making the right choices between cloud and on‑prem and on how to implement them effectively.

* We take the protection of your data very seriously. For details, please read our Privacy Policy.
By submitting this form you agree that ARP Nederland B.V. may process your personal details in line with our Privacy Policy. You also agree that we may contact you by phone about our products and services.