The gong: an age-old tradition
The Amsterdam Stock Exchange is the oldest stock exchange in the world and a household name in the Netherlands and abroad. As early as the 17th century, trading was opened and closed by sounding a gong. Today, all securities trading is automated and the opening is a ceremonial act. Directors of listed companies, business people, politicians and charity ambassadors have helped keep this tradition alive in recent years.
Amsterdam Gong Ceremonies
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Natuurmonumenten - National Nature Quiz
| Amsterdam
8548b52ccd3f-fa62-441a-8bb0-542cb57545e1Natuurmonumenten - National Nature Quiz
Natuurmonumenten sounds gong ahead of National Nature Quiz
Financial director of Natuurmonumenten Coraline Bronsky opens the Amsterdam exchange together with rangers Hanne Tersmette and Frans Kapteijns on the occasion of the first National Nature Quiz which airs on 11 May at the VARA on NPO1.
For the National Nature Quiz, Chris Zegers explores nature in our own country, along with ranger Hanne Tersmette of Natuurmonumenten. He wanders through the caves of the St. Pietersberg in Maastricht and gets his feet wet in Overijssel. “The more you know, the more you will experience and enjoy. And also want to protect", said ranger Hanne Tersmette," You step out your front door and the nature is everywhere. "
Natuurmonumenten wants to share their love and fascination for nature. Natuurmonumenten protects nature areas, valuable landscapes and cultural heritage. Nature is preserved for future generations by purchasing land, managing nature reserves and making natural areas accessible for all. Their work is made possible by volunteers, members, benefactors and corporate sponsors. Partners of Nature include the Euronext-listed ING, DSM and PostNL.
For more information: www.natuurmonumenten.nl
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DPA and De Nieuwe Zaak
| Amsterdam
8547b90db8ff-e2a0-4646-a415-ecdc4a4dcf32DPA and De Nieuwe Zaak
DPA and De Nieuwe Zaak celebrate joint venture by sounding gong at Euronext
To mark the occasion of their new joint venture, DPA (ticker symbol: DPA) and De Nieuwe Zaak sounded the opening gong to usher in the new trading day on Euronext. These two companies have launched Digital Marketing Professionals B.V., which focuses on the (ongoing) training, and placement of young professionals and senior marketing specialists.
This initiative will contribute to the improved recruitment and promotion of online marketers. “We ensure that talented individuals acquire specific knowledge and experience, enabling them to immediately offer clients added value. This is especially useful for organizations that want to optimize their online marketing strategy and operations, or that want to design new online activities,” says Eric Winter, DPA’s CEO.
Johan Keurentjes, the Managing Director of De Nieuwe Zaak, points out that, in partnership with Windesheim University, the new company has developed a traineeship for college and university level students. “Our experienced specialists provide them with a wealth of knowledge on topics such as online advertising, SEO, social media and big data analytics. In addition to strategic, legal and technical modules, they will also take a training course in communication skills. They will then start work on appropriate projects, under the guidance of our clients. In this way, these young people develop into fully-fledged online marketing professionals in a very short space of time.”
For more information: www.dpa.nl
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World Wish Day
| Amsterdam
8546a8c23e79-1859-4550-8f3f-c3eb8eb98348World Wish Day
Make-A-Wish The Netherlands sounds gong on World Wish Day
Every year on the 29th of April Make-A-Wish celebrates World Wish Day all over the world. In 1980 the first wish was granted to the 7-years old Chris, he suffered from leukemia. The whole village contributed enthusiasm to fulfil his dearest wish: being a cop. Make-A-Wish The Netherlands is founded in 1989 and annually fulfills more than 500 dearest wishes of children between 3 and 18 years with a life-threatening illness. Fulfilling a wish means a world of difference for these children and provides them and their family with hope and strength for the future.
For more information: www.makeawishnederland.org
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DeGiro
| Amsterdam
85453f4c0d2e-3599-41e6-b137-aa69fbbfa2ffDeGiro
DeGiro opens trading at Amsterdam exchange
DeGiro, market leader among Dutch Retail Brokers, opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange. Martijn Rehling of DeGiro sounds the gong.
‘’In all of our processes we make optimal use of technology resulting in efficient processes. We give all the benefits of our efficient approach to our customers through low costs. Technology allows us to offer a service in which our clients benefit fair rates. At the same time DeGiro is able to create a stable financial institution with solid results.’’, says Gijs Nagel, director DeGiro.
DeGiro was established in 2008 in The Netherlands. Their vision was to service the professional market as well as retail investors with a highly innovative and low-cost alternative to the existing range of brokerage platforms. Low prices combined with a secure, reliable and innovative trading platform has resulted in rapid growth.
For more information: www.degiro.nl
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King’s Day
| Amsterdam
8544275c901c-ad8d-4b58-8e89-05910a2cdc51King’s Day
Koninklijke Bond van Oranjeverenigingen sounds gong on King’s Day
On King’s Day many ‘Oranjeverenigingen’ are busy organizing a village or town festival. The KBOV is the national representative of all ‘Oranjeverenigingen’. They visit Beursplein 5 and sound the gong.
The KBOV helps ‘Oranjeverenigingen’ with advice and information and organizes meeting points for exchange of experiences and ideas. In addition, the KBOV want to make clear that this kingdom, which is not bound by party or group, will be present in the plural society for every Dutch citizen, regardless of origin, race or religion.
The KBOV stresses the importance of promoting and strengthening the bond between the Dutch population and the House of Orange. It seeks to achieve this by initiating and stimulating celebrations, churchal- and other commemorations to mark heyday in the House of Orange. Meanwhile, more than 320 local ‘Oranjeverenigingen’ are a member of the KBOV.
For more information: www.oranjebond.nl
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Eurovision Song Contest
| Amsterdam
85437e9791ec-4901-48fe-953e-9877e2923b82Eurovision Song Contest
Douwe Bob sounds the gong before Eurovision Song Contest
On May 10 the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals will be held in Stockholm. Douwe Bob will represent the Netherlands with the song ‘Slow Down’. Before he leaves for Stockholm he visits the Amsterdam exchange and sounds the gong.
Douwe Bob wrote the song to create an awareness that one occasionally may take things slower in life. "Slowdown is a protest song against myself, against the speed with which I live in Amsterdam." The Netherlands is 6th in line during the semi-finals and thus stands between two women from Croatia and Armenia. Douwe Bob will sing ‘Slow Down’ for all of Europe between the power-ballads of his contestants. 18 participants take part in the first semifinal.
Douwe Bob amassed fame by winning "Best Singer-Songwriter Netherlands' in 2012. After that yielded a successful collaboration with Anouk with their hit" Hold Me "and the album 'Pass It On' the earned the number one position in the Album Top 100. Douwe Bob’s new album, ‘Fool Bar’ will be released on May 6.
For more information: www.douwebob.nl
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ABN Amro and Singer Laren
| Amsterdam
8542ae3da40e-4c09-429d-9564-77aeb175e9faABN Amro and Singer Laren
ABN Amro and Singer Laren confirm collaboration by sounding gong
Last week, Johan van Hall, vice-Chairman and member of the Executive Board of the Euronext listed ABN AMRO (ticker symbol: ABN), and Evert van Os, Managing Director of Singer Laren Museum, signed the renewed main sponsor contract. This sealed their long-term partnership of over 25 years. To corroborate their collaboration once more they sound the gong to open trading at the Amsterdam exchange.
Evert van Os was very proud and pleased that the bank, the main sponsor of the museum since 1990, chose to renew its partnership with Singer Laren. The confidence that ABN AMRO expresses with its renewal in our exhibitions, theater productions, the construction of the new theater and other activities is fantastic for us as a subsidized cultural organization.
ABN AMRO and culture have gone hand in hand for a very long time. The bank's sponsoring ensures that art, music, design and theater reach a maximum audience. This long relationship goes beyond just sponsoring. The bank is truly Singer Laren Museum's partner, sharing its knowledge and network. This is why ABN AMRO is equally pleased to announce its renewal of its long-term partnership with Singer Laren Museum.
For more information: www.abnamro.nl
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Aimforthemoon
| Amsterdam
85382602a9d7-6edd-4f9c-a990-9d2dc3a8fc8bAimforthemoon
Aimforthemoon opens trading and brings entrepreneurs and corporates together
Aimforthemoon is a collective of entrepreneurs in Amsterdam and aims to bring together the different worlds of entrepreneurs and companies to jointly launch as new businesses. They visit Beursplein 5 and open trading.
Recently, Aimforthemoon organized the Skylab event. During this event entrepreneurs and corporate business were introduced to one another. The focus was on exploring how to join forces in order to build new businesses. ‘’Corporate Innovation the Startup Way!’’. Aimforthemoon works together with, among others, the following Euronext listed companies: Wolters Kluwer, Robeco, Randstad, PostNL, KPN and NN.
Aimforthemoon was founded early 2013 in Amsterdam and has grown into a like-minded and passionate community of entrepreneurs who love to kick start and scale new ventures together with corporate businesses. Their dream is to create a global community of entrepreneurs and innovative companies and stimulate and facilitate co-creation between those different worlds.
For more information: www.aimforthemoon.com
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Launch TALX magazine
| Amsterdam
85377e9b1f08-063a-477b-9366-6ffb385b190cLaunch TALX magazine
Trading day opened by 3D printed robot for launch TALX magazine
Trading day at the Amsterdam exchange is opened by a fully 3D printed robotic arm. The Amsterdam Leadership Exchange (TALX) is an event on the impact of disruptive technology on various industries. The gong is sounded for the launch of TALX magazine.
A team of students from the Nova College developed the 3D printed robotic arm. TALX is an interactive inspirational platform for business leaders who want to be inspired by national and international experts from the world of innovation and technique. In active debate sessions, they discuss the future of the following sectors: Finance, Healthcare, Automotive, Retail, Smart Industries (3D printing, Internet of Things, Big Data), Data Security, Law, Recruitment, Smart Cities, Food, Media, Eduction and Energy. Partners of TALX are among others the Euronext Listed ING, Heineken, ABN AMRO and IBM, EY and NXP
For more information: www.talx.nl
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National Hennessy Hospitality Award
| Amsterdam
8536140e30fd-34f9-4e66-899c-36cc10e716edNational Hennessy Hospitality Award
National Hennessy Hospitality Award winner visits Beursplein 5
The winner of the National Hennessy Hospitality Award (Nationale Hennessy Gastvrijheidsprijs), Moët Hennessy is part of the Euronext listed LVMH Group (ticker symbol: MC), visits Beursplein 5 to open trading.
The purpose of the annual competition is to put a spotlight on the hosts and hostesses in the hospitality industry and to promote knowledgeable, friendly and enthusiastic hospitality. Since 2012 the competition goes under the name of National Hennessy Hospitality Award. The original Alliance Hennessy Hospitality Award was initiated in 1999 by former president Jaap Klosse, honorary member of Alliance Gastronomique Néerlandaise (currently Alliance Gastronomique ) Hans Flink and the Hennessy Cognac House. Nowadays, the seven major culinary associations of the Netherlands - united in the G7 - participate in the initiative. These culinary associations are: Alliance Gastronomique, Chateaux et Residences gastronomiques, Fine Eastern Restaurants, Jeunes Restaurateurs d'Europe Netherlands Les Patrons Cuisiniers, Relais Restaurants and Selected Indonesian Restaurants.
The 2016 edition of the National Hennessy Hospitality Award was handed over to Thomy Kleijngeld of restaurant Wollerich in Sint-Oedenrode by Maurice Hennessy.
For more information: www.moethennessy.nl
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ING Starter of the month:QualityWash
| Amsterdam
85351202bbc6-e7d5-4140-99f1-23248e8fe691ING 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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Winner Artcadia
| Amsterdam
85348dbcf743-2397-4a8b-8eb1-7edd5d8f88d9Winner 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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Morningstar Awards
| Amsterdam
852651990496-8164-4da9-aa9f-11ae524eb4f3Morningstar 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
| Amsterdam
85255ab9cc2d-6f3a-47d5-97f4-f5b4e4b155ccAsparagus 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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Stedelijk Museum
| Amsterdam
8527651d3435-e5fd-46b6-8278-2eeb44fcba88Stedelijk 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
| Amsterdam
8524250f66b4-0c20-4d4d-a0a2-5fdd5572b44cKempen & 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
| Amsterdam
852368385ed6-8ac0-4f1e-9e77-545e7b8ae6f5Nedap 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
| Amsterdam
852220d2f7f4-da41-4e70-988a-86f145459ba1Nyenrode 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
Amsterdam
Would you like to sound the gong with your company at Beursplein 5?
Open the trading day at Euronext Amsterdam
Companies or institutions that have a natural connection to the Amsterdam capital market can be invited to take part in a gong ceremony. For example, this might be to mark a special milestone or to raise awareness of a charity.
The ceremony starts with a reception hosted by a senior Euronext Amsterdam representative in the former Board Room at Beursplein 5. Just before 9 am, the participants and their guests take their place on the gong stage to open the trading day, The gong is sounded at 9 am precisely. The group then returns to the Boardroom for a cup of coffee.
Media coverage
The gong strike is broadcast live every morning on RTL Z. A picture of the gong strike illustrates the daily stock market report on the Financiële Telegraaf's website. In addition, Euronext shares the images on its social media channels.
Photos and video footage taken of the gong ceremony are shared with guests, who are free to use them for their own communications and on social media.
Practical information
Programme
Timings for gong ceremonies at Beursplein 5 are as follows:
Reception: 8.30 am
Sounding of the gong: 9.00 am
End: 9.15 - 9.30 am
Group size: minimum 8 people, maximum 15 people.
There is no charge for the gong ceremony.
Additional options
You can combine your gong ceremony with the Amsterdam Exchange Experience: a special tour of the stock exchange building.
Or if you would like to use the gong ceremony to kick off a conference or event, consider organising your event at Beursplein 5. Euronext has several historic rooms where events for 10 to 150 people can be held.
The Euronext Events Team will be happy to give you all the information you need about the options available.