All Bell ceremonies

ING Starter of the month:QualityWash

ING Starter of the month April QualityWash sounds gong

QualityWash has been elected by the ING jury to be ING startup of the month April 2016. For this occasion they open trading at the Amsterdam exchange. Jordy Bakker, co-owner QualityWash, sounds the gong.

QualityWash offers a car wash service which is different from others. They do not use water,  make use of sustainable products and have a flexible service. QualityWash washes your car at any venue and without the use of water. They save approximately 100 liters per car doing so. On top of that, every wash provides extra protection for the car paint.

Every month ING Netherlands (ticker symbol: INGA) organizes the startup of the month election. Previous winners this year are Awareways and MedAngel

For more information: www.qualitywash.nl  

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Witbe

Listing of Witbe on Alternext

Marie-Véronique Lacaze, co-founder & President - Chief Executive Officer, Witbe and Jean-Michel Planche, co-founder & Senior  Vice President Innovations & Technologies, Witbe open the European trading day in Paris.

Witbe specializes in business monitoring services. The company offers solutions to manage Quality of Experience (QoE) of services delivered to any platform (enterprise application, website, IPTV servers, etc.) to any device (PC, tablet, smartphone, mobile phone, etc.) and to any type of network (fixed, mobile, etc.). Witbe provides testing and monitoring system designed to help enterprises and service providers keep their commitments to their end-users by proactively identifying service defects and producing accurate, yet relevant indicators.

Winner Artcadia

Winner Artcadia opens trading day at Amsterdam exchange

Het Vellesan College from IJmuiden has won the art and technology competition Artcadia of Arcadis. The winning design is the “air bath”, a solution combining water savings and comfort. The winners visit the Amsterdam exchange and open trading.

After months of competition 12 different schools presented their ideas in the Evoluon in Eindhoven. Innovative and creative ideas ranged from a solution for the refugee problem and sustainable water use in different formats to energy production with the help of trains and airplanes.

The competition is organized by design and consultancy firm Arcadis (ticker symbol: ARCAD), Koninklijke Nederlandsche Heidemaatschappij (KNHM) foundation and print services provider Canon Business Services and aims to involve students in the exciting world of technical solutions. A record number of 112 schools participated in this year’s edition.

Arcadis is a global Design & Consultancy firm for natural and built assets. Applying their deep market sector insights and collective design, consultancy, engineering, project and management services they work in partnership with their clients to deliver exceptional and sustainable outcomes throughout the lifecycle of their natural and built assets.

For more information: www.artcadia.nl

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GeNeuro lists on Euronext Paris

Jesús Martin-Garcia, Chairman and CEO of GeNeuro, rings the opening bell, while the company celebrates its listing on Euronext Paris.

GeNeuro is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company developing a new approach to the treatment of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis and other diseases associated with human endogenous retroviruses (HERV). GeNeuro seeks to block a suspected source of the inflammatory and neurodegenerative components of the disease, rather than targeting the immune response of the body as do most current treatments.

Morningstar Awards

2016 Morningstar Awards winners sound gong

The Morningstar Awards are designed to help investors around the world identify the year's most exceptional funds and fund managers. The 2016 Morningstar Awards recognize retail funds and fund groups that have been good stewards of investor capital within the context of their relevant peer group in 2015 and over longer time periods. 

Winners are selected using a quantitative methodology developed by Morningstar that considers the one-, three- and five-year performance history of all eligible funds. Morningstar adjusts the returns for risk using a utility theory based screen that imposes a higher penalty for downside variation in a fund’s return than it does for upside volatility. The 2016 Morningstar Awards winners visit Beursplein 5 and sound the gong.

For more information: www.morningstar.nl

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Asparagus For Life Foundation

Asparagus For Life Foundation opens trading on the eve of the new asparagus season

On the eve of the 2016 asparagus season, the Asparagus For Life Foundation will present itself. In honor of this event, asparagus ambassador Joop Braakhekke, opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange  with the traditional gong ceremony.

15 April is the first day of the 2016 asparagus season and on that day a new wing of the AVL hospital is completed. A special day on which a special event will also take place. A charity event, hosted by Erik de Zwart, where guest will be treated to a sumptuous dinner with fresh asparagus served in several variations prepared by Hostellerie De Hamert in cooperation with the Brotherhood de l'Asparagus Limbourgondië.

With a series of activities during and outside of the asparagus season, the Asparagus For Life Foundation will raise funds for the benefit of the DNA and immunology research of the Dutch Cancer Institute and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek Foundation.

Partners of this event are, among others, Euronext listed Moët Hennessy and BNR, FD, Radio Veronica, Muller Visual/Grafiplaza.

For more information: www.aspergesvoorleven.nl

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Double listing anniversary KBC

Together, KBC and KBC Ancora write 80 years of stock market history

Today Euronext celebrated a double listing anniversary: that of bank-insurer KBC and its reference shareholder KBC Ancora. They are listed respectively 65 and 15 years on the Euronext markets. On this occasion, Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group, and Franky Depickere, CEO of KBC Ancora, opened the financial markets by ringing the bell.

It's 65 years ago that Kredietbank shares were first listed at the then Brussels Stock Exchange. Since the KBC merger in 1998, the shares have been listed under the KBC label.

Since 2001, following the establishment of Almancora by KBC shareholder Cera, that share has also been listed on Euronext,
first as Almancora and later as KBC Ancora. And so it is that, today, KBC and KBC Ancora have chalked up 80 years of stock market history. Over that period, the two institutions have actively contributed to the development of Belgium's economy and society. Today, Johan Thijs, CEO of KBC Group, and Franky Depickere, Managing Director of KBC Ancora, therefore had the pleasure of being invited to ring the bell to start trading at Euronext Brussels.

Johan Thijs looks to the future: 'In the past 18 years, KBC has grown to become an important, visible market  player  that  is  actively  followed  by  both  individual  investors  and  large  institutional  investors, both  at  home  and  abroad.  In  spite  of  the  sometimes  turbulent market  environment,  KBC's  unique integrated bank-insurance model has proved itself as a foundation for sustainable, profitable growth. With  the  support  of  our  core  shareholders,  we  can  confidently  work  on  rolling  out  our  long-term strategy in the interests of our clients, employees, shareholders and other stakeholders.'

Franky Depickere adds: 'Together with Cera and the other core shareholders, KBC Ancora constitutes a shareholder structure for KBC Group that is stable and rooted in the local community as a basis for healthy onward development and the creation of shareholder value in the long term.'

For more information:
www.kbc.com
www.kbcancora.be

Stedelijk Museum

Stedelijk Museum sounds gong for Living in the Amsterdam School

In 2016 the Amsterdam School will return to the Stedelijk. Immerse yourself in a spectacular exhibition of Amsterdam School interior design: furniture, lamps, clocks, ceramics, textiles, and graphic designs such as those for wallpaper. Beatrix Ruf, Director Stedelijk Museum, sounds the gong together with Carlo Verhart, Senior Advisor Marketing & Communications Rabobank Amsterdam.

This exhibition of over 500 works includes work from designers like Jaap Gidding, Michel de Klerk, Piet Kramer, Hildo Krop, and Marie Kuyken. The architecture of the Amsterdam School is internationally renowned. It is regarded as the highly original Dutch correlative to the lively anti-rationalist design movement in Europe between the two World Wars. With this exhibition the furniture and interiors designed by the architects, sculptors and designers of the Amsterdam School get the recognition they deserve for the first time, while revealing that the expressive furnishings functioned within an exuberant, colorful environment.

The exhibition ‘ Living in the Amsterdam School’ runs from April 9 to 28 August, 2016 and is sponsored by Rabobank Amsterdam, the principal sponsor of the Stedelijk Museum.

For more information: www.stedelijk.nl

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Kempen & Co Structured Products

Kempen & Co brings attention to Structured Products by sounding gong

Kempen & Co visits the Amsterdam exchange to bring attention to their new Structured Products platform and the awards they have won for the same subject. Florian Hillen, Director Structured Investments Kempen & Co sounds the gong.

In the past few weeks, Kempen & Co has worked hard to finalize their new website, www.kempenmarkets.nl, which was created with the help of the input of their clients. This new website provides extensive information about structured products. They hope that this website will help to make this product group easier to understand by presenting the information conveniently and with maximum transparency.

The sounding of the gong to open trading is also to celebrate that recently, for the second year in a row, Kempen & Co has won the ‘Regional Awards - the Netherlands’ for ‘Best Distributor’ at the annual awards ceremony for best structured products of SRP Europe. In addition, Kempen won an award in the category of ‘Best Performance’. The results are determined on the basis of votes cast by active regional producers, distributors and service providers.  

For more information: www.kempenmarkets.nl

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Nedap MOOV

Nedap sounds gong for launch MOOV

Nedap (ticker symbol: NEDAP),  - leading specialist in vehicle identification and detection technology - launches the next generation of its solutions for vehicle access control. Nedap MOOV is the world’s first access control system specifically designed for vehicle entrances in cities and parking facilities. Eric Urff, CFO, sounds the gong on this occasion.

With this new solution Nedap responds to the worldwide trend towards smarter cities and the increasing focus on mobility challenges in those cities. Nedap has been active in the field of vehicle access control for decades. The Dutch company is also known for its building access control and RFID readers. Nedap MOOV originates from the Dutch market where the product is applied in more than 40 cities to regulate the volume and the flow of motorized traffic in city centres and shopping areas. In these cities, managed vehicle entrances to the city centre are created to control who is granted access and who does not get access.

For more information: www.nedap.com

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Nyenrode Private Investor Program

Nyenrode Business visits Beursplein 5 for Private Investor Program

Nyenrode Business University opens trading for Private Investor Program. Participants in the Private Investor Program actively learn to analyze and manage their own investment portfolios according to the latest insights in the field of investing. They are being taught by top experts who will assist them in every step of the way ensuring that they make the right investment decisions.

After successful completion of this program, the participants are able to independently take control of their own portfolio and are, at least, at the same level as a professional investor with several years of experience. Leonard van Thuijl, graduate of the Nyenrode Private Investor Program, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.executiveeducation.nl

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ABM Financial News

ABM Financial News sounds gong after acquisition Dow Jones Dutch language services

ABM Financial News acquired the Dutch language service of the renowned Dow Jones Newswires at the end of 2015. The editors of AMB Financial News are now all operating from Beursplein 5, the most famous financial address in the Netherlands. Merwin Bisseling, Managing Director of ABM Financial News, sounds the gong with Simon Rodda, Executive Director Dow Jones.

By merging the two companies the largest financial news feed for the Dutch-speaking region was created. Dow Jones and ABM Financial News work closely together, including in the field of product development. ABM Financial News also gets direct access to the products of Dow Jones, including business newspaper The Wall Street Journal, Barron's investors magazine and the headline service. Dow Jones, on the other hand, will internationally distribute the newsfeed of ABM Financial News in its publications.

‘’By merging these two companies, both of which have some unique qualities, Dutch user gain access to an extremely powerful news service’’ said Merwin Bisseling of ABM Financial News in a statement on the acquisition. The editors of AMB Financial News will continue to operate from Beursplein 5, the most famous financial address in the Netherlands.

For more information: www.abmfn.nl

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EnterNext TechShare program

Gong to conclude EnterNext TechShare program 2015-2016

To conclude the successful EnterNext TechShare program 2015 – 2016 the Dutch participants and partners sound the gong.  TechShare is an educational program designed especially for fast growing tech companies who want to know more about the process of an IPO. The participants have had educational sessions on the capital market in recent months.

TechShare is a unique pan-European program that helps directors of tech companies to better understand the role and functioning of financial markets. Entrepreneurs are thus better able to assess the chances of a listing in relation to their specific projects and to take time to prepare.

The program began in September 2015 in France with a kick-off where 30 companies were present from from France, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands. The customized trainings are organized and supported by regional Expert partners.

Dutch partners of the TechShare program are Deloitte, Citigate FF, ABN AMRO and Rutgers & Posch. In four sessions they discussed all relevant issues of the capital market. The open discussions and case studies have resulted in a very useful and professional program for entrepreneurs. CM, Experty, Leadpharma and Ultimaker the four participating Dutch companies in the TechShare program.

‘’The TechShare program is a unique opportunity for intensive support in the search for alternative forms of capital. Think of it as a ‘crash course’ IPO. I have experienced the contact between professionals, fellow entrepreneurs and institutions as positive. My network has greatly expanded.’’ says Reinier de Jonge, CEO Experty.

Due to the success of the first edition the next edition of TechShare will start soon, where the number of participant companies from the Netherlands will be expanded to 10 companies.

For more information: www.enternext.biz

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Socially Responsible Investment Funds

Bell Ceremony to promote Socially Responsible Investment Funds

Isabel Ucha, interim CEO of Euronext Lisbon, Flavia Micelotta, executive director of Eurosif, an organisation that promotes sustainability among European financial markets, and Diana Guzman, director of the Carbon Disclosure Project for Southern Europe, talked to more than 40 guests about socially responsible investments and funds. These funds promote sustainability by funding projects with profitability targets under the low carbon economy, such as sustainable forests or other topics related to sustainable development. After the conference, they rang the closing bell.

ENGIE Netherlands

ENGIE Netherlands sounds gong for name change

The Euronext Brussels and Paris listed ENGIE (ticker symbol: ENGI) changed its name from GDF SUEZ. A new name, but with a rich history in the Netherlands. One of the Dutch predecessors of ENGIE was founded 200 years ago by King William I. On this occasion Han Blokland, CEO ENGIE Netherlands, sounds the gong.

The main reason for the change they will make as a company, is the energy transition. ENGIE wants to be the leader in the energy transition: continues the transition from the old to the new energy world and set globally in less CO2 emissions and at the same time ensures that the growing demand for energy available and affordable for the customer.

Because of the climate, ENGIE finds that this transition must happen soon. This acceleration can only happen if more integrated solutions are available that accelerate energy and make it accessible. By combining the power of ENGIE Services and ENGIE Energy, a unique combination of skills and knowledge in the field of renewable energy, technology and digitization is created. As one brand they can serve their customers broader in their overall energy problem.

For more information: www.engie-energie.nl

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Festival des Métiers

Gong highlights Festival des Métiers from Hèrmes

Hermès Benelux, part of the Euronext Paris listed Hermès (ticker symbol: RMS) organizes the Festival Des Métiers, an exhibition where the different crafts of Hermès are shown in the Hollandsche Manege in Amsterdam.

From April 1 to April 10, the French workshops of Hermès have been moved to the Hollandsche Manege in Amsterdam. The artisans will manufacture a wide selection of handmade Hermès products for 10 days.

It is no coincidence that Hermès has chosen the Hollandsche Manege as venue for the Festival des Métiers. Hermès was founded in Paris as a workshop for saddles, halters and harnesses in 1837. The magnificent building of the Hollandsche Manege houses the oldest riding school in the Netherlands, now a modern and versatile equestrian business. The Hollandsche Manege is the oldest horse riding school in The Netherlands and the history of this riding school dates all the way back to 1744.

For more information: www.hermes.com

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400th anniversary Royal Vopak

Celebration of Royal Vopak’s 400 Year By Sounding The Gong

This year, Royal Vopak (ticker symbol: VPK) is celebrating its 400th anniversary. To mark this occasion, the opening gong is sounded by a “colleague” from the 17th century in the presence of Royal Vopak’s Executive Board and staff members of the Dutch Vopak terminals.

Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman of the Executive Board and CEO of Royal Vopak: “Our 400th anniversary in 2016 is a unique moment. We would like to celebrate this with all our staff and other parties involved. In our celebrations, we place emphasis on connecting our past, present and future. It is great to see that we are still, 400 years later, standing on the quayside for our customers to facilitate worldwide product flows. And over a period that has seen such immense change. Time and time again the company has been able to adapt to the changing society and maintain its relevance. That is a great source of inspiration and an ongoing challenge for the future.”

Royal Vopak is the world’s leading independent tank storage provider, specialized in the storage and transhipment of bulk liquid products, gases and oil products. Vopak has a worldwide network of tank terminals.

For more information: www.vopak.com

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NVA Autism Week

Sounding of the Gong for Autism Week of NVA

This year the NVA organizes the Autism Week for the 7th time, from 2 to 9 April, to create awareness about autism. Diederik Weve from Shell sounds the gong.

Diederik Weve is a safety engineer at Shell and with his project “Coming out for Autistics” he laid the very foundations for the Autism Embassy. The embassy is a fast growing network of employees with autism who are successful at making autism visible in their own organizations as a Diversity & Inclusion proposition.

This year the Autism Week focuses on physical activity and sports. More and more research shows that sport contributes to stay healthy - physically as well as mentally. Our brain actually works better when we sport regularly. Data from the Dutch Autism Registry (NAR) show that people with autism are particularly vulnerable to stress and negative feelings and social isolation is a problem among this group. Practicing sports can help to reduce these problems and increase self-confidence. Autism-friendly sports clubs and sports coaches help to overcome barriers to actually join a sports club.

Members of the Dutch Autism Association (Nederlandse Vereniging voor Autisme, NVA) are people with autism and their families. From their perspective the NVA tries to establish an autism-friendly society; a society in which people with autism are optimally integrated, accepted and self-reliant.

For more information: www.autisme.nl

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