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Event location: The Rooftop at Groot Handelsgebouw

Bryan van Putten productivity 17 April 2024

ROTTERDAM, 17 April 2024 – A dynamic new chapter opens this spring for Rotterdam's skyline with the transformation of the Groot Handelsgebouw's rooftop into a vibrant events hub, The Rooftop at GHG. The new space promises a unique venue combining history with panoramic city views, fostering community and innovation.

New life at the Groot Handelsgebouw

An exciting new phase is announced for the Groot Handelsgebouw, an iconic symbol of Rotterdam's reconstruction and the home base for over 450 companies. This spring, in partnership with Révolt, a pioneer in innovative event experiences in Rotterdam, the rooftop of the Groot Handelsgebouw is set to become The Rooftop at GHG, a dynamic events location.

The historic Engels halls and terraces are being transformed into a lively hub for events and public activities. Jamestown, the real estate firm owning the Groot Handelsgebouw, commits to further activating this Rotterdam icon for both businesses and the public. “Our aim is to continue the legacy of the Groot Handelsgebouw for a new generation with site activations and programming that align with the building’s rich history while also serving the tenants and surrounding community,” says Thomas Sandlin, Head of Asset Management, Europe at Jamestown.

The Rooftop at GHG will offer various indoor spaces with adaptable halls ranging from 120 to 700 square metres and terraces from 40 to 200 square metres, capable of accommodating any type of event with basic amenities provided and the potential for customised event creation through various suppliers.

Event location: The Rooftop at Groot Handelsgebouw

Role of Révolt

Révolt, a Rotterdam-based event organisation, focuses on creating unique and memorable experiences at notable locations. With a passion for innovation and creativity, Révolt aims to push the boundaries of the events industry.

“Rotterdam is bursting with creativity and energy, and this dynamism deserves a magnificent venue. The Rooftop at GHG is designed to be a unique event space that matches the city’s ambition. It is an inspiring place where people from Rotterdam and visitors can come together, develop new ideas, and experience unforgettable moments. With a breathtaking view of the city as a backdrop, The Rooftop at GHG will become the hotspot for high-profile events,” said Yagoub, founder of Révolt and operator of venues such as Annabel and culture platform Perron, as well as festivals including REC Festival, het Vrije Volk, and Kralingse Bos Festival.

Event location: The Rooftop at Groot Handelsgebouw

Central location with a fine view

Strategically located adjacent to the Central Station, The Rooftop at GHG is perfectly accessible for both national and international visitors. The ample parking facilities, coupled with a plethora of nearby hotels and restaurants, position this venue as a prime location for events. Starting in May this year, The Rooftop at GHG will welcome its first events, marking a new chapter as Rotterdam's premier events venue with the finest view.

Directions and local information

The Rooftop at GHG is conveniently situated next to Rotterdam Central Station, making it easily accessible by public transportation. The area is known for its vibrant atmosphere, surrounded by numerous dining options and accommodation.

Unique meeting space at d'Ouwe Moer

Bryan van Putten productivity 12 December 2023

Flexible Workspaces

ROTTERDAM, 12 December 2023 – A new venue for meetings and events, d'Ouwe Moer, has been opened in Rotterdam, offering a unique space with colourful interiors and accommodation options.

New event location d'Ouwe Moer opens in Rotterdam

In December 2023, d'Ouwe Moer, a meeting and event location, opened its doors on Admiraliteitskade in Rotterdam. The pink veranda house, notable for its vibrantly coloured spaces, is designed to host various types of gatherings. It features a meeting 'suite', a large bar, multiple breakout rooms, and an apartment accessible through a separate entrance. The apartment includes a living area, a bar, and bedrooms. This venue aims to provide an inspirational space for meetings, events, or photo shoots in the heart of Rotterdam.

The interior and atmosphere of d'Ouwe Moer pay homage to the father of the property's owner, a colourful and sociable individual with a deep affection for the outdoors, the city of Rotterdam, and celebrating significant occasions. Marie-Claire Moerkerk, the owner, stated that they have deliberately chosen not to design d'Ouwe Moer as a standard meeting place, aiming to make everyone feel at home, whether for meetings, book presentations, or social gatherings.

Unique meeting space at d'Ouwe Moer
Unique meeting space at d'Ouwe Moer

Versatile rental options and catering

D'Ouwe Moer offers flexible rental options, allowing clients to book the entire house or separate floors. On the ground floor, The Admiral bar can accommodate up to 60 people, followed by two breakout rooms. At the back is The Mary, a garden room that serves as a meeting space for up to 14 people. The basement, accessible through the bar area, houses The George, a cosy hangout styled like a man cave. The upper floor features 'l'Amoer', an apartment with sleeping arrangements for two to four people, a dining table, bar, kitchen island, and living area, suitable for casual meetings or private stays in the city.

For catering, d'Ouwe Moer collaborates with Kaat Mossel, a well-known local restaurant, to provide a range of dining options for events.

Unique meeting space at d'Ouwe Moer
Unique meeting space at d'Ouwe Moer

Directions to d'Ouwe Moer

d'Ouwe Moer is located on Admiraliteitskade in Rotterdam. The area is well-connected by public transport, with nearby bus and tram stops. For those driving, there are several parking options in the vicinity.

Rotterdam pass - how to have fun and save money in Rotterdam

Anne Soetens productivity 08 August 2023

The 'Rotterdampas' is an all-access pass to the city. With it, you gain access to upwards of 600 special deals on movie theatres, day trips, workshops, museums, swimming pools and the Rotterdam Zoo.

If there is one thing that is an evergreen in the top three of favourite things for every Dutch person, it’s a bargain. If you are staying in Rotterdam for a weekend or a fortnight, go right ahead and skip this article. If you are here for a couple of weeks, months or years and are averagely active, do consider getting a Rotterdam pass, especially, if you have children!

I have been here for a while and I hadn’t got one until recently, the main reasons being:

1. Thinking it was a touristy thing to do,
2. Having to fill out a form online which includes uploading a photo,
3. It does cost €65* per person (kids pay €20)*.

*Note that there are various tariffs depending on whether you live in Rotterdam, have a low monthly income or are a student. The list of exceptions is quite long, so do check the rotterdampas.nl website (Dutch) for the latest up-to-date information.

The Rotterdam pass helps with saving money

However, you really get your money out of it. If you, let’s say, go to a few museums, a couple of movies, for a swim and a few ice creams. There are more things like discounts on eating out, special movies, beauty and relaxing therapies, indoor children’s playgrounds, sports clubs and tours. And there are lots of seasonal discounts as well.

Capri Ijssalon 📷 Anna Soetens

Children love the Rotterdam pass

For parents with children, there are more discounts in there, like good savings on a yearly zoo card or playgrounds aka theme parks like Plaswijk Park. But already the seasonal discounts, free nature playground, free ice creams, as well as the fact that all museums are free with the Rotterdam pass will provide a lot of entertainment.

Rotterdam Zoo 📷 Anna Soetens

Natuurspeeltuin de Speeldernis 📷 Anna Soetens

Validity

Before you sign up, check the date, though. It's valid from March to March. And consider if you will make use of it. Are there really a couple of deals you are sure to use? If some options are going to float your boat, you really can save some bucks.

Is this really a winner for me? Ask me next a year in March! For more information on the Rotterdam pas, check out the official Rotterdampas website.

Haggling for it

P.S. If you do not want to get a Rotterdam pas, but still want a bargain on long or short holidays, funfairs, eating out and theme parks, you can decide to haggle. Just go on the auction site (it's more like eBay than Sotheby’s obviously) Vakantieveilingen, see what you like and place your offer. You might get a fantastic discount for a couple of people. It's all mostly on short notice, but it’s a bit more straightforward than Marktplaats (the Dutch eBay).

The cheapest supermarkets in Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten productivity 02 August 2023

Nobody likes to pay too much for groceries. The more you save on food, the more you can save or spend on other activities such as home improvement or travel. Find out where you can get more bang for your buck!

In a recent price survey by the Consumers' Association, the prices of basic groceries at various supermarkets in the Netherlands were examined. In this article, we focus on the results of this survey for the city of Rotterdam.

Cheapest Supermarkets

According to the Consumers' Association's price survey, the cheapest supermarkets in Rotterdam are Dirk and Hoogvliet, which are 11% and 8% cheaper than the national average, respectively. Other affordable options are Aldi, which is 1% cheaper than the average, and the large chains Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus, which are at the average price level.

Average-Priced Supermarkets

Albert Heijn, Jumbo, and Plus, three of the largest supermarket chains in the Netherlands, have prices that are equal to the national average. These supermarkets have a strong presence in Rotterdam and offer a wide range of products.

More Expensive Supermarkets:

According to the survey, Coop is 3% more expensive than the national average, Picnic is 5% more expensive, and Spar is 20% more expensive, making them pricier options for consumers in Rotterdam.

Conclusion

While price is a significant factor in choosing a supermarket, it's also important to consider other factors such as location, product quality, customer service, and product range. Consumers are encouraged to compare the prices of their frequently purchased products at different supermarkets to find the best value for their money.

Meet the International Women's Networking Group in Rotterdam

Bryan van Putten productivity 08 March 2022

Anybody who has done it before can tell you, and if you're reading this, you probably agree: moving to a new country is as exciting as it is challenging. In all cases, the adventure is made better by finding a community of individuals with whom you share the same passions or experiences.

In this article, we interview Yustine Alvares. Yustine is one of the founding members of the International Women's Networking Group (IWNG). In her day-to-day role, Yustine is in charge of sponsorships and partnerships for IWNG. She also helps with events and with the setting up of dedicated member groups.

For Yustine Alvares, the pleasures and pitfalls of living abroad are things she has experienced first-hand. After spending a decade abroad, she came back to the Netherlands and tried to seek out an international community in Rotterdam. "When you move to a new country, the first thing you do is go on Facebook and search for what is available. That's what I did abroad and that's what I tried to do here as well."

This is actually how the IWNG was founded. From humble beginnings as an informal Facebook group, the women have now built a real, increasingly influential organization run by and for women.

What is the International Women's Networking Group?

IWNG can best be described as a networking community of entrepreneurial women. Entrepreneurship, however, can mean different things to different people. For some members, it's a side hustle, while others have gone in all the way. For the women of IWNG, networking is not just about exchanging business cards. "We want to see women supporting each other rather than competing. When women support women, incredible things happen."

IWNG monthly networking lunch

How does the IWNG support women?

"At first, we started with small-scale events and meetings. In January 2019, after two years of only existing as online group, the IWNG organized its first major in-person event. Ever since, the organization has grown quite a lot. The Facebook group now has over 700 members and the events have become more frequent. We now do monthly social events, lunches and dinners. These are great moments to meet up with other members, promote a new business or find partners to spar with."

"With our professional events, we focus on the growth of these women, whether it's career-wise or in personal development. We do so by offering them workshops on a wide range of business-related topics, from business presentations to social media and storytelling."

For a taste of the depth and breadth of IWNG's dedication to issues faced by women, one need only take a glance at the IWNG blog. The articles cover insightful topics like women's healthcare and intersectional feminism as well as practical skills like how to write a business plan and SEO copywriting.

Social Media Madness event March 2019

What kind of businesses do they start?

"What they have in common is that they are flexible entrepreneurs. This shows in the wide range of projects they come up with. It varies from sustainability initiatives to yoga, mindfulness and professional coaching. Some have taken up cooking as a means to teach or sell meals that are unique to their culture and hard to find in the Netherlands. Our members also organize and participate in a lot of workshops."

Why is entrepreneurship popular among female expats?

"Most women come to the Netherlands as a trailing spouse or because they joined their Dutch partner and have high hopes for the future. However, after spending a lot of time looking for a job and failing to find something suitable, they eventually start their own business. Whether it's out of frustration, necessity or boredom, what all these women have in common is that they want something to do and aren't going to let language or any other barrier stand in their way."

How would you describe the typical IWNG member?

"Many women are looking for a connection with others; new friends, like-minded women they can spar with. The IWNG's members are highly diverse. Though most of the women are expats who have started a new life in the Netherlands, quite a few members are Dutch. Also, while most members are based in the Rotterdam area, many women who attend our meetings come from other cities. Some of our members are students. Being a member provides them with the opportunity to network while working towards their masters or PhD degrees. Others are still living abroad and planning a move to the Netherlands."

(left to right) IWNG co-founders Sterling Schuyler, Kristina Kay and Yustine Alvares

The "spouse initiative"

The IWNG is one of the organizations behind the Rotterdam Spouse Initiative, a monthly event that takes place as part of the Venture Café programme. At these events, spouses who have come to Rotterdam with their partner can join others who have also come to the country for similar reasons and exchange ideas on how to reinvent themselves and discover new talents.

While Venture Café is held weekly, on Thursdays, at the monumental Groothandelsgebouw near Central Station, the Spouse Initiative is included in the programme once a month. Be sure to check out the Venture Café website for more information. The Rotterdam Spouse Initiative is organized by Rotterdam Expat Centre, Venture Café, Madam Rotterdam, IWNG and Leiden-Delft-Erasmus.

How can somebody join IWNG?

"Our Facebook group is open to any and all women who would like to join a wider community of ambitious women. For those who would like to take their professional development a step further, we've recently also started with memberships. We've made available three membership tiers; for students, internationals and professionals. All the benefits and prices can be found on the IWNG website."