As our staff works hard to bring you the best DPW Amsterdam conference to date, it’s brought up some great memories from 2022. The talks remain very relevant and the memories, well, they’ll last a lifetime.
Why we’re rewriting the rules of events.
At DPW, our mission is simple: to be the super-connector of procurement and supply chain. But connection today needs a new definition—less transactional, more transformational.
We’re flipping the script on what B2B events look like. Because let’s face it: traditional formats are broken.
“The future of business isn’t business-to-business. It’s human-to-human.”
Buyers are tired of being pitched. Sellers are struggling to stand out. What everyone wants instead is relevance, trust, and real connection.
Too much content. Not enough connection.
I’ll be the first to say it: we used to pack our stages with too much content. And it came at the cost of what really matters - creating space for meaningful interactions.
So we’re making a bold shift: connection first, content second. Our new rule? 50% content, 50% connection.
Here’s what we’re moving toward:
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Curation over clutter
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Relevance over reach
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Relationships over random encounters
More attendees. More personal.
As our audience grows, we’re not scaling by default—we’re scaling by design. At DPW, bigger doesn’t mean broader and blander. It means sharper, smarter, and more personal.
We’re doubling down on curated, meaningful micro-experiences tailored to who you are, what you care about, and where you’re headed on your transformation journey. Because innovation isn’t one-size-fits-all and neither is your DPW experience.
“The more we grow, the more we focus on what matters: human connection through curated micro-experiences.”
Empathy empowers every connection.
If personalization is the how, empathy is the why. Real connection starts by understanding the human behind the badge.
At DPW, we design for intent, not just identity. Empathy helps us build not for the average attendee but for the individual who’s navigating change, seeking clarity, or chasing bold ideas.
We’re also honest: we haven’t always been happy with how sponsors have shown up in the past. Too many pitches. Not enough purpose. Too much chasing attendee lists - not enough effort to truly engage with the people behind them.
“The best sponsors don’t show up to sell. They show up to challenge our attendees.”
So we’re stepping up. We now coach our sponsors to connect, not just sell. We limit sponsor tickets to ensure the right people are in the room—not just bodies, but brains and hearts ready to listen and contribute.
Empathy isn’t soft. It’s strategic. It’s what transforms attendance into belonging—and sponsors into true partners in the experience.
The DPW human connection model
We’re not anti-trade show. Stages and badge scans still have their place, but as we shift toward a 50/50 model of content and connection, we're rolling out bold new formats designed to deepen engagement, drive relevance, and make every interaction count.
What connection looks like today:
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Facilitated Networking
Self-directed DIY 1:1 meeting scheduling and lounge access via the event platform. -
Tech Safaris
Guided tours of the expo hall centered on key innovation themes and technologies. Open to all practitioners. -
Private Dinners
Intimate, invite-only gatherings of up to 20 guests for high-value conversation. -
C-Suite Track
Dedicated programming and networking designed specifically for chief procurement and supply chain officers. -
Parties & Receptions
Informal social events that encourage serendipitous interactions in relaxed settings. -
Sponsor-Led Side Events
Off-agenda meetups and activations organized by partners around the city.
What’s coming in 2025 & 2026
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Connection Concierge (pilot in 2025)
Human-led 1:1 introductions curated for C-level and VIP participants based on mutual relevance. -
Private Tech Safaris (pilot in 2025)
Customized expo tours created for corporate teams based on their specific innovation and transformation goals. -
Challenge-Based Roundtables (pilot in 2025)
Small-group sessions focused on solving real business challenges through shared perspectives. -
Reverse Pitches (pilot in 2025)
A stage format where corporates present internal challenges and attendees respond with ideas and approaches. -
Hosted Buyer Program
Curated 1:1 meetings between qualified buyers and solution providers, designed around mutual fit. -
Startup Scouting Sprints
Personalized startup discovery tracks for corporate teams aligned to their specific innovation priorities.
We don’t gatekeep. We connect.
We don’t gatekeep behind Slack logins or member paywalls. The DPW ecosystem grows through shared experience—not exclusivity. It lives in hallway conversations, in tech demos that spark follow-up calls, in introductions that turn into pilots.
“We’re not building a members-only club. We’re building a movement.”
Ready to join the H2H movement?
The next generation of B2B events isn’t bigger—it’s better. It’s about connection over congestion. Intention over automation. People over pipeline.
The future is:
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Intimate, not massive
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Designed, not templated
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Human, not transactional
DPW Amsterdam 2025 isn’t just an event—it’s a reset. Let’s reinvent procurement through the power of human connection.
