DETAILS
Date: May 7, 2026
Location: Naritaweg 118, 1043 CA Amsterdam, Netherlands
Host Sponsor: Arup
Theme: “Digital Transformation: Connecting Data, Teams, and Decisions”
Access: Open (view presentations and photos below)
OVERVIEW
In partnership with SWAN Member Arup, this unique UnConference brought together utilities and water boards from the Netherlands and surrounding region for a participatory, purposeful, and highly collaborative experience. Together, we unpacked real challenges and opportunities at the intersection of data, teams, and decisions — drawing on collective knowledge to co-create insights, practical approaches, and outputs.
Programme
All underlined text is clickable.
Networking Lunch Sponsored by Arup
- Vikki Williams, Digital Water Leader – UK (Arup)
- Tico Michels, Manager of Research & Innovation (Brabant Water)
UnConference Purpose, Process and ‘Big Brain Voting’
- Shirley Ben-Dak, Senior Advisor (SWAN Forum)
‘Big Brain’ Voted Topics:
- How can we speed up knowledge extraction from experts? Facilitated by Ed van Leeuwen (Brabant Water)
- How do we realise integral, strategic decision-making to help steer innovation? Facilitated by Akshay Ramkisoensing (Datavolwassenheid.nl / Waterbedrijf Groningen)
- How can we make sure dashboards actually benefit teams? Facilitated by Jason Soesman (Blueprofs)
- In a fast moving digital world, how do we take our employees on the digital and AI journey? Facilitated by Vikki Williams (Arup)
- How can we get board-level buy-in when ROI is unclear? Facilitated by Tim Twisk (Smartvatten)
Group Session 1: Unpacking the Problem
- Align on a specific challenge statement
Group Session 2: Solution Ideation
- Align on a specific solution to address the challenge statement
- Erik Nobbe, Programme Manager (Het Waterschapshuis)
Group Sessions 3 & 4: Prototyping & Prepping Final Presentations/Demos
- Align on how you want to present/design/explain your solution and prepare for final showcase
Rapid-Fire Recaps
Closing Remarks
- Vikki Williams, Digital Water Leader – UK (Arup)
Happy Hour/Networking Session Sponsored by Arup & Infotiles
Photos
Featured SWAN Members:
