About

Nicolette van Erven

My experience in the Meetings Industry exceeds 30 years during which I was involved in the bidding and organization process of various international conferences worldwide. Starting as the internal PCO of the Free University in Amsterdam, after 10 years I launched my own company in 2002. Over the years the company eventually numbered 15 employees in 2 Netherlands’ based offices. ‘Congress by design’ is now a full service PCO supporting international associations and institutions organizing their meetings in the Netherlands and abroad.

In 2022 I chose to rethink my future since I felt I could no longer do what I love best: organizing meetings and advise clients. Stealthily, my job had turned into managing my employees, limiting my in person contact with clients. So I decided to hand over my company and am now fully available again as consultant, sparring partner or project manager.

I am very passionate about my work and have served on several boards in order to further the development and recognition of the industry and facilitate best practice through networking and education. First in my home country and from 2017 on, in an international setting, joining IAPCO Council.

Driven by a passion for events and a firm believer in the power of face-to-face interactions to build communities, inspire and promote change, I first and foremost strive for added value for clients. It has always been the core of my business thinking. I relish in master planning, developing and implementing innovative events and concepts that inspire, stimulate and engage audiences.

And last but not least: I am target oriented, to the point and doing my best to always stay a step ahead. I stay calm under pressure, pay attention to detail and love to work with a team.