EuroCHRIE 2022: Wittenborg Hosts International Conference with Great Success

07.11.2022

Nearly 200 delegates from over 20 countries

From 24 to 27 October, Wittenborg University of Applied Sciences had the pleasure of hosting the 2022 European Council on Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Education (EuroCHRIE) at the ROC Aventus building in Apeldoorn. EuroCHRIE is an event where members of the hotel, catering and tourism sectors come together to share knowledge and connect with each other to form stronger relationships. Experts took time out of their busy schedules by travelling to Apeldoorn to present their research around innovative entrepreneurial strategies, emerging technologies and rising trends in a post-pandemic industry. Those who signed up for the lectures got privileged access to research that could potentially shift the entrepreneurial world. Attendees were also treated to exclusive events, including tours, dinners, songs from an Irish choir and a whiskey tasting hosted by Wittenborg's in-house expert. On the final night, there was a gala during which awards including the President's Award and the Regional Award were handed out at the Theatre Orpheus in Apeldoorn.

About 170 delegates from more than 20 countries, including places such as Japan, France, Morocco, Australia and Finland, came to the conference to network and share information. Wittenborg thanks them for enriching this event with their attendance.

“It was amazing,” says Wittenborg Communications Administrator, Bishal Bhandari. “So many people from all over. And even the youngest of the first-year student volunteers were so professional. I was really proud to be part of Wittenborg when I saw them,” he enthuses. “So much work went into putting on EuroCHRIE, but it all paid off in the end.”

Showcasing Wittenborg's event-hosting capacities

Thanks to the expertise at Wittenborg, the conference went off without a hitch. “It was a massive success,” says Wittenborg President Peter Birdsall of the multi-day event. “We're very pleased with how things turned out. It shows how we, as a school, have the capacity to put on events like this or even larger ones in the future.”

“And it was all thanks to our lovely staff and student volunteers,” adds Wittenborg CEO, Maggie Feng, who also thanked Wittenborg’s partners in Apeldoorn for supporting the effort. “Not to mention the fact that people from all over the world got to know Apeldoorn, which has a vibrant and growing entrepreneurial sector,” she highlights.

Introducing Apeldoorn

One of the perks of signing up as a delegate was being treated to Apeldoorn's growing hospitality sector in the form of dinners at restaurants such as Bistro Meester and De Pastazaak, “Wine & Spice” tastings and a welcome reception hosted by the mayor of Apeldoorn, Ton Heerts. Delegates who came from abroad were accommodated in the local hotels, Bilderberg de Keizerskroon, Bastion Hotel Het Loo, Hotel van der Valk Apeldoorn and Hotel van der Valk Cantharel, in addition to having all transport organised for them in advance. Wittenborg hopes all who signed up had an amazing experience. We graciously thank all who attended EuroCHRIE, as well as those who helped make the conference successful. Looking forward to hosting more events like this in time, Wittenborg continues to expand its vision for the future.