Speakers

With over 30 years of experience in the events industry, John understands the needs of membership organisations deeply and intrinsically. After spending the first 14 years of his career as a PCO, he founded Shocklogic in 1997, where today he leads an international team to deliver cutting edge event management technology. John has a PhD in Quantum Physics from MIT and has previously been named one of the “Top 100 Movers & Shakers in Events” by Eventbrite. In 2020, he was also listed as one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People in the Event Industry” and one of the “Top 50 Virtual Meetings & Events Innovators” by Eventex.

I'm a polymath, starting at 13 years as an actor in professional theatre. It made me fell in love with the magic of storytelling. Which would become a Red Line throughout my career.

My career started working in various positions from life-guard, fitness instructor and barman to call center management and loyalty marketing at Disneyland Paris (opening), Marriott, KLM, Singapore Airlines & Garuda Indonesia EMEA.

With my backpack of building and managing teams and love for tech (as enabler) in a highly competitive customer first environment, I joined my first startup. After The Dotcom bubble, I continued working hybrid, combining management functions in the arts & education with event management for leading tech companies in EMEA. The arts ignited my creativity and I co-founded the Poetry Jockeys, a collective of interactive poets and spoken word storytellers with a sole purpose to connect people on a deeper level. Performing at events internationally, resident artist of the legendary Supperclub Amsterdam, writing lyrics for Dr. Atmo (Bread & Butter Berlin) to performing for the King and Queen of the Netherlands.

As a teamplayer with a customer first and growth mindset, I get energy from supporting organisations realizing more impact.