All Bell ceremonies

Women cycle team Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) opens trading

One week before the start of the Tour for Life 2014, captains Margit van Zon and Nicole de Vries-Noach of the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) cycle team open trading at Euronext Amsterdam.

The Tour for Life is the spectacular cycle tour for MSF: more than 1,200 kilometers and over 20,000 altitude meters in eight classic stages through five countries. The sixth edition starts on 31 August in Italy with an amazing peloton of 36 determined cycling teams. The cyclists had to train hard for the tough challenge ahead, and had to raise a minimum of 15,000 euro for MSF’s medical emergency aid. The cyclists will finish the tour on 7 September in Landgraaf in Limburg.

For more information: www.tourforlife.nl

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ShelterBox The Netherlands sounds gong to kick-off Challenge

ShelterBox The Netherlands sounds the gong to mark the kick-off of the ShelterBox Challenge 2014.

During the weekend of 23 and 24 August, national and international teams will compete at the annual ShelterBox Challenge. This year’s edition is named 24 hour back to basics. In the heart of Amsterdam, the participants have to survive as if they have just been hit by a natural disaster. They follow a route along the highlights of the city to raise awareness for the Challenge and experience the power of ShelterBox.

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that provides emergency shelter and relief to people worldwide affected by a natural disaster or humanitarian crisis. ShelterBox is a unique concept consisting of an emergency kit with basic materials such as tents, blankets, cooking utensils and tools in order survive the first phase after a disaster. Team member Events, Brenda van Laar, sounds the gong in the presence of the board and a Challenge Team.

For more information: www.shelterboxchallenge.nl

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Bell Ceremony to celebrate the listing of the bond issued by Group Sleuyter

On Wednesday 21 August 2014, Franklin Sleuyter, CEO of Group Sleuyter Real Estate, opened the European stock markets with a Bell Ceremony to celebrate the listing of bonds by Group Sleuyter. Lead Manager and Bookrunner is Merit Capital.

Groep Sleuyter is the best reference on the subject of coast apartment construction : www.sleuyter.be

Aegon sounds gong to mark World Rowing Championships

On Sunday 24 August, the best rowers in the world gather at the Bosbaan Amsterdam for the World Rowing Championships.

For eight days rowers from 60 countries will compete for 27 world titles. This is the first time since 1977 that the Netherlands has hosted the World Rowing Championships. Aegon is the main sponsor of the Royal Dutch Rowing Federation (KNRB) and one of the sponsors of the World Rowing Championships. Visitors from all over the world are expected to come together in the Aegon Fanzone, where daily activities, receptions and live performances take place. On the final days of the competition, medal winners will be honoured in the Aegon Fanzone. The official opening of the World Rowing Championships will take place on Saturday 23 August during a spectacular opening ceremony at the Museumplein. The finals of the competition on 29, 30 and 31 August will be broadcasted live by the NOS.

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Sounding of the gong by nine year old Lotta for the Clean Air Rally

By sounding the gong, nine year old and former asthma patient, Lotta Bakkum calls attention for the Schone Lucht Rally (Clean Air Rally) for electric and plug-in hybrid cars on the 20th of September.

With this event, the organization promotes electric mobility and the importance of clean air for the future of our children. The event consists of ten car rallies in the cities of Amsterdam, Almere, Amersfoort, Den Haag, Eindhoven, Enschede, Helmond, Rotterdam, Tilburg and Utrecht. The Schone Lucht Rally is the largest event for electric mobility with many participating politicians, top managers and celebrities. Lotta calls everyone with an electric or plug-in hybrid car, to participate in one of the rallies.

Main partner of the event is Lung Fund to which a donation will be made. Lung Fund is a Dutch health and patients organization, which provides information about asthma and COPD and finances scientific research. Clean and healthy air is one of the main objectives of the foundation.

For more information: www.schoneluchtrally.nl

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New CEO Dutch Investors’ Association, Paul Koster, visits Euronext

Paul Koster sounds the opening gong at Euronext Amsterdam to celebrate his appointment as the CEO of the Dutch Investors’ Association (VEB).

The new CEO is anxious to start his job representing the interests of investors and standing up for their rights where necessary. “At a time when more and more financial responsibility is being shifted to the individual, I look forward to supporting investors,” Paul Koster said. “The VEB wants to help investors accept their responsibility, for example by encouraging transparency about risks and costs. In addition we will continue to act in the best interest of the investors, as the VEB has so successfully done in recent years.” The Dutch Investors’ Association is celebrating its 90^th anniversary this year.

In 2013 Paul Koster was senior advisor to the Governor of the DiFC. In the period from 2008 – 2012 he was the CEO of Dubai’s financial regulator. Koster, who trained as an accountant, has also served on the managing board of the AFM and as chief compliance officer at the Amsterdam exchange. Paul Koster’s predecessor Jan Maarten Slagter held the position at the VEB for seven years.

For more information: www.veb.net

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National Association De Zonnebloem celebrates 65th anniversary

National Association De Zonnebloem celebrates its 65^th year anniversary by sounding the gong at Euronext Amsterdam.

The mission of the association is to help disabled people to enjoy life as much as possible. Over 40,000 volunteers in The Netherlands help realize this goal. Around 155,000 people with physical disabilities use the services of the association and more than 8,000 of them enjoy a customized holiday every year. Very special is the fact that there are almost as many volunteers to provide the necessary care. De Zonnebloem believes that there are still plenty of opportunities to help people with disabilitiesby providing the needed knowledge and expertise.

For more information: www.zonnebloem.nl

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Grachtenfestival Amsterdam opens trading with clarinetist Bart de Kater

Clarinetist Bart de Kater opens trading at Euronext Amsterdam for the opening of Grachtenfestival Amsterdam.

The festival has alternative ways to introduce classical music to a broad audience and it helps young, talented musicians to shine. The program starts on Friday 15 August with a concert on the pontoon in front the Bellevue theater. Grachtenfestival Amsterdam will be held until 24 August, and this year it boasts 250 concerts on 90 different venues. The venues of this year's concerts are the future subway station Vijzelgracht, the future bicycle tunnel under Amsterdam Central Station, the Hembrug area, several venues at the Zuidas, and more. Clarinetist Bart de Kater performs at the Portuguese Synagoge on Thursday 21 August at 8pm.

For more information: www.grachtenfestival.nl

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AIF and NYU Stern School of Business sound gong for Master in Risk Management

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) and NYU Stern School of Business sound the gong for the Master of Science in Risk Management for Executives program, a Master’s program for professionals in Risk Management. The program takes place in New York, Amsterdam and Hong Kong in one year.

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) is a self-supporting, not-for-profit foundation, specialized in providing high-level financial training for finance and other professionals. Participants in AIF programs have the advantage of learning from the world's leading experts who have significant teaching as well as consulting experience. AIF has welcomed participants from more than 1000 organizations representing over 100 countries to its programs. Particular areas of expertise include Risk Management, Corporate Finance, Project Finance, Valuation, Financial Analysis, Investments, and Negotiation Skills. In The Netherlands, AIF worked together with PRMIA (Professional Risk Managers' International Association) to launch PRMIA's first Dutch chapter. AIF is also a PRMIA Partner for seminars and financial training.

For more information: www.aif.nl

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Gong marks 5th World Cinema Amsterdam edition

World Cinema Amsterdam sounds the gong to mark the start of the 5^th edition of the festival.

Twelve days in a row (till August 24) visitors can enjoy the best independently produced films from Latin America, Asia and Africa in Rialto and De Balie. World Cinema Amsterdam Open Air is traditionally a popular feature. As in the previous year, four new films are screened at Marie Heinekenplein in Amsterdam. The films from Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico tell stories about ordinary and quite extraordinary people who try to keep going in their current situation. Tito Rodriguez Torras and Veerle Snijders, responsible for marketing and communications, sound the gong.

For more information:www.worldcinemaamsterdam.nl

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ChildsLife draws attention for International Youth Day

By sounding the gong ChildsLife International draws attention for International Youth Day.

For almost twee decades ChildsLife has provided Chances for Children in Eastern Europe and Africa. ChildsLife provides practical help, using local partners and staff with a tailored-made approach leading towards self-sustainability and has developed an extensive and diverse development program. One aspect of this is the building of schools to provide education and school meals for a better future for children ranging in ages from 4 to 18. The ChildsLife vocational school located in the middle of one of the largest slums in Africa gives youths from the slum an opportunity to learn a profession and take one step further from poverty. Two children of ChildsLife staff, Stefan van Klarenbosch and Lotte Brands sound the gong.

For more information: www.childslife.org

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IMC Weekend School celebrates start alumni Summer Camp

IMC Weekend School celebrates the start of the new academic year for the alumni. The start of the new academic year is marked by two summer camps. On Monday August 11^th the second summer camp starts. These summer camps consist of several workshops and master classes by dedicated guest lecturers.

IMC Weekend school provides supplementary education to young people between the ages of ten and fourteen who come from deprived backgrounds and are anxious to learn. Lessons are given by enthusiastic professionals such as entrepreneurs, nursing professionals, judges and artists. The students come into contact with different professional groups and sectors, and are given a broader view of society so that they can make better, more informed choices about their education and career. IMC Weekend School receives a substantial yearly contribution from ING and is also financed by over one hundred companies and funds.

An important part of the cooperation with ING is that employees participate as volunteers. For example by providing guest lectures about learning how to manage personal finances, workshops for alumni or guidance throughout the school year. Alumni, Candice Lepelblad, sounds the gong together with other alumni and representatives of partner ING.

For more information: www.imcweekendschool.nl

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NederlandSchoon supporters sound the gong

NederlandSchoon (The Netherlands Clean) opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange, together with the cleanest hockey club in the Netherlands, Peel en Maas. This hockey club, based in the town of Panningen, has set an example by creating a sporting environment that is easy to keep clean, as well as helping to encourage good sportsmanship and involvement.

The objective of NederlandSchoon is to reduce the amount of litter in the Netherlands. In order to achieve this goal, the foundation holds anti-litter campaigns, conducts research into the importance of a clean environment, and advises companies on how to process rubbish. People are becoming increasingly aware of the positive effect of a cleaning living environment, and as a result the country is now cleaner.

If everyone picked up their own litter, the government could save approximately 200 million euros a year. In fact, if only one in ten people picked up not only their own litter, but someone else’s litter as well every now and then, the litter problem would be solved. People who volunteer to pick up other people’s litter are known as Schoon Supporters. The director of the NederlandSchoon foundation, Helene van Zutphen, sounds the gong.

For more information: www.NederlandSchoon.nl and www.supportervanschoon.nl

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AFC Ajax celebrates winning KNVB Women’s Cup

By sounding the gong AFC Ajax celebrates winning the KNVB Women’s Cup. On June 9, 2014 the AFC Ajax team won the finals of the KNVB Cup and defeated PSV / FC Eindhoven (2-1). To celebrate this victory, coach Ed Engelkes sounds the gong at Euronext Amsterdam.

On May 18, 2012 the women's team of AFC Ajax was founded, which is now two seasons playing in the Women's League BeNe, an international competition with clubs from the Netherlands and Belgium. The Ajax Women play their home games at Sportpark De Toekomst. The kick-off for the 2014-2015 season is scheduled for Friday, August 29 (Ajax - KAA Gent). It's goodbye to four players, and so far there are three new players added to the selection of coach Ed Engelkes, including Anouk Hoogendijk. The International was already part of the Ajax selection last season but was the first player who made a transfer. After six months in the English Premier League with Arsenal LFC she returns to the selection of Ajax Women. Ajax is listed on Euronext Amsterdam since 1998 (ticker symbol: AJAX).

For more information: www.ajax.nl

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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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