All Bell ceremonies

Gong starts Pluk de Nacht festival

The open-air film festival Pluk de Nacht (Seize the Night) opens on Wednesday, August 6th with the film Stop the Pounding Heart (Germany). This special film by director Roberto Minervini is a mix of documentary and fiction. The award-winning film is the kick-off of the eleventh edition of the Pluk de Nacht Film Festival, taking place in Amsterdam until August 16th.

For eleven summer nights, visitors can enjoy free (inter) national feature films, documentaries and animations that have not been shown in the Netherlands before. This year, the festival takes place in different locations. After Amsterdam, Pluk de Nacht travels to Utrecht (21-23 August). The festival closes in Arnhem (27-30 August). In addition, on August 29th, there is a special performance at the Nutshuis in The Hague. Producer, Anne-Perine van der Torren, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.plukdenacht.nl

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Assistance dogs Europe sounds gong for International Assistance Dog Week

By sounding the gong Caroline Vink opens trading together with Viktor, the assistance dog that accompanies her beside the wheelchair. The gong is sounded for the International Assistance Dog Week.

The International Assistance Dog Week  is an excellent opportunity to generate world-wide interest in assistance dogs: dogs that help and assist people with a visual, hearing, physical or psychological disability in their daily lives, and medical alert dogs that support people with diabetes or epilepsy. Assistance Dogs Europe (ADEu), the European Chapter of Assistance Dogs International, is a well-established forum for European organisations involved in the training of assistance dogs. “The most important function of ADEu is to assure the quality of the work of its member organisations”, says Elma Burg, coordinator of ADEu, “and the consequent provision for certified assistance dog partnerships to have unhindered access to shops, restaurants and hotels, something that has already been legally regulated in the United States”.

This week is also an opportunity to raise awareness for the importance of these dogs for people with a disability. “My dog helps me to regain independence and self-sufficiency”, says Caroline Vink, “and effectively reduces my need for professional care and help from my support network. My assistance dog Viktor is ready to help me 24/7!”

For more information: assistancedogseurope.org

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Gong draws attention for Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam

The gong sounds for Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam. Francois Mulkens, board member of this Dutch House of the international Ronald McDonald House Charities, calls out to all companies to become ‘friend’ of Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam. This House enables families of hospitalized children to stay in the vicinity of their child in Emma Kinderziekenhuis AMC. It receives no subsidies and depends on the generosity of volunteers and donors.

Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam opened in 1985, as the first Ronald McDonald Huis in the Netherlands and Europe. To mark its 30th anniversary next year, Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam invites 30 companies to become their ‘friend’. For an annual contribution of € 1.500 ‘friends’ for three years get the exclusive opportunity to organise events for personnel and business associates. Whether it’s through fundraising or volunteering, as a corporate sponsor you will be a vital part of helping to deliver comfort and care to children and their families. Ronald McDonald Houses are homes-away-from home. They are filled with more than help, they’re filled with hope. Become a friend of Ronald McDonald Huis AMC Amsterdam and allow families to stay together, to help kids heal and cope better.

For more information: www.kinderfonds.nl/amc 

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Amsterdam Gay Pride sounds gong for Gay Pride 2014

A colourful and multicultural group of Moroccan and Jewish gays and transgenders open trading at Beursplein 5 by traditionally sounding the gong. They mark the nineteenth edition of the Amsterdam Gay Pride (AGP), which will last until Sunday August 3^rd.

Irene Hemelaar, content director of the AGP sounds the gong accompanied by representatives of the Stichting Art. 1, who initiated the Moroccan boat, organizers of the LGBT Jewish festival Exodays and a small delegation of transgenders who organized this year’s first edition of TransPride. She is proud that this year’s Pride is more inclusive due to the participation of Moroccan, Jewish and transgender organizations: “It shows that the Amsterdam Gay Pride could be a platform for the marginalized voices regardless of gender or cultural identity.”

Amsterdam Gay Pride 2014 has the highest number of international participants which contributes to its efforts to become more cultural and gender-inclusive. This year’s theme is 'Listen' and focusses on human rights in general and tolerance, acceptance and equality for the LGBT community (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) in particular.

For more information: www.amsterdamgaypride.org

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Sounding of the gong marks start of Sneekweek

The sounding of the gong by Gerlof van der Werf, Managing Director Public Relations & Sponsoring KWS, marks the start of the Sneekweek. The Sneekweek is the largest sailing regatta on inner lakes of Europe and is having its 79^th edition. Over 1600 participants in 35 differents classes will compete for the champion trophy from August 1-7. Organising committee is the Royal Yacht Club Sneek.

The races will be held on the Sneekermeer, with more than 100 volunteers ensuring all will be flawless. The Royal Yacht Club Sneek is financially supported by main sponsor Lipton Ice Tea (Unilever) and sub sponsors Gaastra Pro Gear, Snakewear, Sony, Rabobank, Brunel, Heineken and Veenema/Texaco.

For more information: www.sneekweek.nl

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Sounding of the gong marks start of preparations for Amsterdam Helps

The Present Foundation opens trading by sounding the gong, exactly three months before the official start of the cooperation between the Foundation Present, Neighbours Network and Serve the City. Together, they will coordinate around 5000 Amsterdam-based volunteers who will make the city nicer, cleaner and more helpful. Volunteers are linked to practical care needs of vulnerable fellow citizens of Amsterdam.

By joining forces, this enthusiastic group of people can now make an even bigger difference. The first joint project is the Christmas gift operation "Christmas for the City”, where many will set off with a well-filled gift set to fight loneliness at Christmas time. This operation will be launched on October 30^th.  Coordinator Carlo de Waal sounds the gong.

For more information: www.burennetwerk.nl, www.stcamsterdam.nl, www.presentamsterdam.nl

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EnterNext welcomes Planet.fr on Alternext in Paris

Planet.fr SA is an independent 100% digital media company founded in 2000.
Through Planet.fr focused on News and Entertainment, and Medisite.fr focused on Health and Wellness information, the Company enjoyed a fantastic growth through the past 3 years both in audience (x3) and in turnover (x2). 

Dutch Skin Foundation calls attention to skin diseases by sounding the gong

By sounding the gong, the Dutch Skin Foundation calls attention to over one million patients with a skin disease in The Netherlands. This number is increasing due to lifestyle and aging. Skin cancer is a good example. Many patients suffer because of their skin disease and barely step out. Shame may play a role. Our society underestimates their burden.

National Skin Foundation is an independent charitable organization that puts up a vigorous fight against skin diseases. It does so with scientific research and improvement of health care. These activities require a lot of money. The Dutch Skin Foundation is entirely dependent on donations, gifts and grants. Managing director, John de Korte and Chairman of the Supervisory Board, Roland Koopman, sound the gong.

For more information: www.huidfonds.nl 

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Natuur & Milieu sounds gong for World Nature Conservation Day

In context of World Nature Conservation Day, Natuur & Milieu Foundation sounds the gong with a focus on the organisation’s summer campaign ‘Sun Seeks Roof’ (Zon Zoekt Dak). This summer, Natuur & Milieu offers solar panels at a historically low price, to anyone seeking to benefit from the sunny weather.
Over the past three years, consumers have purchased 40 000 solar panels through Natuur & Milieu’s solar energy campaigns. These 40 000 solar panels generate an average of over 8 million kWh per year. This saves the Netherlands approximately 9000 tons of CO2 emissions, which translates to driving 42 million kilometers with an average car.

Olof van der Gaag, Campaigns Director at Natuur & Milieu, who sounds the gong,: “Solar panels do offer guarantees for the future. For example, when you invest 4,250 euros in our solar panels, the return of investment is 20,000 euros in 25 years.” While the number of homes with panels is doubled, the prices are halved. Van der Gaag: "It's amazing how fast the price of panels have dropped. With our first campaign in 2011, the purchase of 10 panels cost € 6000, which was a very competitive price at that time. Now, you can buy 18 panels for the same amount.”

For more information: www.zonzoektdak.nl

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Unilever The Netherlands sounds gong for the return of the OLA WINNER TACO

OLA proudly presents her new acquisition, the return of the Winner Taco, by sounding the gong. After a great demand from the Dutch consumer, the well-known bear snack is back.

After almost ten years of absence, the polar bear returns. OLA is reintroducing the Winner Taco ice cream: a sweet taco filled with ice-cream, caramel sauce and covered with chocolate and nuts. OLA is part of ‘the Heartbrand’, the most famous ice-cream logo in the world. In 1997 Unilever created the heart symbol as a main symbol for all her ice creams brands. Meantime the heart logo is now worldwide known in more than 50 countries. The most popular OLA ice cream brands are Magnum, Cornetto, Calippo and Raket. Unilever is listed on Euronext (ticker symbol: UNIA). Category Manager Out-of-Home Ice Cream, Jasper Spaargaren, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.unilever.com

Rabobank and MKB-Nederland sound gong for The Next Entrepreneur

Rabobank and MKB-Nederland sound the gong to draw attention to survival for budding entrepreneurs. Of all the new companies that are founded each year, about 70 percent cease to exist within the first five years. For that reason, Rabobank and MKB-Nederland have organized the third edition of The Next Entrepreneur.

With this program, they want to encourage and challenge start-ups to constantly improve. In addition to the election of the most innovative starter in The Netherlands, The Next Entrepreneur includes a pathway to knowledge, for which start-ups can register free of charge. It provides them with relevant knowledge and targeted information. Signing up is possible until October 17th. Managing director MKB-Nederland, Leendert-Jan Visser and Senior executive vice president Rabobank Nederland, Paul Dirken, sound the gong.

For more information: www.thenextentrepreneur.nl

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Sounding of the gong marks start of Hortus Festival 2014

The sounding of the gong marks the start of the eleventh edition of the Hortus Festival, the Dutch greenest summer festival of chamber music that begins on July 23. Chairman, Willem Korthals Altes, sounds the gong.

The Hortus Festival program consists of 28 concerts to be held from 23 July to 31 August in the wonderful gardens Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam, the Oude Hortus in Utrecht, Hortus Botanicus in Leiden and Hortus Haren. This edition of Hortus Festival pays tribute to Ludwig van Beethoven. Nature was his biggest inspiration, he composed numerous works in nature. The festival theme this year is therefore Naturally Beethoven. Besides Beethoven, there are also natural Scandinavian work on the program include Grieg, Sten Hammer and the German-Danish composer Kuhlau.

Master pianist Ronald Brautigam opens Hortus Festival on Wednesday, July 23. Brautigam plays include Beethoven's Sonata No. 15, also known as the Pastoral, a work that is entirely inspired by nature.

For more information: www.hortusfestival.nl

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ING Commercial Banking celebrates winning Extel Award Best Broker Benelux

ING Commercial Banking was awarded the title of best stockbroker in the Benelux by market players for the fifth consecutive time. ING visits Beursplein 5 to celebrate winning the Extel Award.

The bank was deemed to be best in class in equity research, by combining solid research with a fundamental and medium term horizon without foregoing opportunities for the short term for investors both in regular updates of our vision and by in-depth company reports. The award is based on the assessments made by international professional investors of their brokers’ services. The award reflects the success of ING’s strategy to offer Benelux-based companies the best possible access to international capital markets, and allowing international investors to benefit from our easy access to the management of these companies. Head of Benelux Equity Research, Marco Gulpers, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.ingcommercialbanking.com

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Amsterdam Small Business Network sounds gong for local entrepreneurship

Amsterdam Small Business Network is a platform that promotes and supports small and local businesses, ultimately turning them into thriving success stories. Founders Sharon Tainsh and Marjolijn Hendriksen sound the gong.
Amsterdam Small Business Network, 020SBN in short, was founded at the end of 2012 and currently holds over 1800 members, offering them a business environment where collaborations can be formed and knowledge can be shared. The network organizes monthly informal networking events, lectures and brainstorm sessions to help (starting) entrepreneurs. The platform aims to promote and support local businesses for example by a website with business profiles to highlight the person behind a business, organizing regular 'pop-up' events for consumers, and very soon the launch of the online webshop Locally Yours.

For more information: www.020sbn.nl

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EnterNext celebrates first anniversary in Lisbon with a Closing Bell

EnterNext, the Euronext subsidiary set up in May 2013 to promote and grow the market for SMEs , has published encouraging results for its first full year in business.
To meet the goals defined in its original brief, EnterNext rolled out an action plan in all four countries where it operates, targeting three key priorities:
• expand and consolidate ties with local SMEs, both listed and unlisted, and promote the stock market as a source of finance
• develop market liquidity in midcaps by reconnecting them with investors
• rally brokers, bankers and the rest of the financial eco-system that finances SMEs

Gong marks Zomercompetitie 2014

The Zomercompetitie (Summer Competition) is a football and hockey tournament for companies in the Amsterdam area and is being held for the 8th time this summer. Head of Athletics & Operations, Astrid Emons, sounds the gong and marks the start of the Summer competition 2014.
Between June 3 and July 25 over 80 companies participate in the tournament. Teams compete during over 20 playing days for the 2014 football and hockey title. The league has a unique character; both football and hockey take place in one location, and is played in a format of six against six. In addition to the sporting aspect, the Summer Competition provides a networking platform where both participating companies and sponsors can meet young professionals. Summer Competition supports charity organisation Sunday Foundation.

For more information: www.zomercompetitie.com

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Gong marks Zomercompetitie 2014

The Zomercompetitie (Summer Competition) is a football and hockey tournament for companies in the Amsterdam area and is being held for the 8th time this summer. Head of Athletics & Operations, Astrid Emons, sounds the gong and marks the start of the Summer competition 2014.

Between June 3 and July 25 over 80 companies participate in the tournament. Teams compete during over 20 playing days for the 2014 football and hockey title. The league has a unique character; both football and hockey take place in one location, and is played in a format of six against six. In addition to the sporting aspect, the Summer Competition provides a networking platform where both participating companies and sponsors can meet young professionals. Summer Competition supports charity organisation Sunday Foundation.

For more information: www.zomercompetitie.com

Transavia sounds gong voor Transavia Grand Slam Beach Volleyball 2014

Transavia.com visit Beursplein 5 and sounds the gong for the Transavia Beach Volleyball Grand Slam 2014. After the European Beach Volleyball Championships in 2012, transavia.com is title sponsor of the Beach Volleyball Grand Slam for the second consecutive year. Next year transavia.com occurs at the World Beach Volleyball Championships as the presenting partner. Transavia is a part of Air France-KLM, listed on Euronext (ticker symbol: AF).

The Transavia Grand Slam will be held in three of the four cities that are the setting for the beach volleyball World Cup in the Netherlands next year (The Hague, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Apeldoorn). On 16 and 17 July the group matches not only take place in The Hague, but also in Amsterdam and Apeldoorn. As of July 18, all matches are played at The Hague Beach Stadium in The Hague. With teams from over 30 countries, the grand slam is more international than ever. Tournament director Bas van de Goor sounds the gong

For more information: www.transaviagrandslam.nl

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