On Thursday, April 16, the annual Connekt members' dinner took place in the characteristic Hotel Arsenaal by WestCord Hotels in Delft. It was an evening entirely dedicated to meeting, deepening connections, and strengthening the public-private partnership that Connekt has championed for 25 years.

Connection, appreciation, and looking ahead

With a large turnout of members and an impressive representation from government and public organizations, the strength of the network was once again evident. Among those present were State Secretary Annet Bertram, Secretary-General Jan Hendrik Dronkers, and Director-General Martin Wijnen, as well as representatives from Rijkswaterstaat, RDW, and the National Data Portal for Road Traffic, among others.

In their speeches, they emphasized the importance of cooperation in tackling the major mobility and logistics challenges of our time. A message that aligns perfectly with the core of Connekt: connecting to move forward.

Special moments: recognition and appreciation

The members' dinner featured several special and personal moments.

Honorary membership for Jan Hendrik Dronkers

One of the highlights of the evening was the appointment of Jan Hendrik Dronkers as an honorary member of Connekt. As Secretary-General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, he has played a key role in the transitions within mobility and logistics for years.

The speech praised his unifying leadership: his ability to look beyond systems and place collaboration at the center. He has been involved with Connekt from the beginning, not just as a supporter, but as a co-builder of the network as it exists today.

Ambassadorship for Freek van der Valk

Freek van der Valk was also put in the spotlight. For his years of dedication and involvement with Connekt, he was appointed as an ambassador. As a connector, inspirer, and a steady force within the network, as well as an energetic participant in member trips, he has made a lasting impact.

New connections and familiar faces

In addition to appreciation for existing relationships, there was also room for new connections. For instance, 14 new members were introduced, 10 of whom were present and given the opportunity to briefly introduce themselves. A great opportunity for new parties to immediately find their way into the network and contribute to knowledge sharing and innovation.

The growth of the Connekt network of ambassadors and advisors was also highlighted. Bruno Bruins was proudly introduced as a special advisor and ambassador of Connekt. His involvement emphasizes the ambition to further strengthen the network with experience from politics, government, and the business community.

The Netherlands runs on mobility and logistics

The members' dinner made it clear once again: the Netherlands thrives on mobility and logistics. From road and rail to data and digitalization. The challenges are great, and so is the collective strength of the network.

For 25 years, Connekt has brought together government, business, and knowledge institutions. It is precisely in this cooperation that the key lies to a smarter, more sustainable, and future-proof mobility system.

Acknowledgements

On behalf of Connekt, we would like to sincerely thank all attendees, speakers, and those involved for their contribution to this special evening. Together, we continue to build a powerful network for mobility and logistics in the Netherlands.

Save the date!

Don't want to miss this dinner next year? Then mark your calendar now! Because on March 18, 2027, we invite all our members to come together again during this special evening!

View the video and photo impression here