The Circle 2017

AMSTERDAM SEPTEMBER 20TH - 22ND

CHANGING DYNAMICS

CHANGING DYNAMICS The world is radically changing and organizations must be aware of the global issues that are affec­ ting their business and its environment. Open stake­ holder dialogue has become more important than ever. In the boardroom there are two actors capable ­of ­advising the CEO on these external developments: ­the Chief Communications Officer and the Chief Human ­Resources Officer because of the tools and channels they use every day.

This demanding situation means it is essential to bring together these two thought leaders at the 2017 Circle gathering, where we want to address the changing dynamics of our time. We want to focus on the innovation, ideas and organisations that are bringing change to our world. Together we will critically reflect on how they impact our work, and how we can position ourselves and our organizations in relation to the changes in dynamics.

It may seem hard to believe these days but the po­ sitive effects of the evolving process are within our reach. However, if we want to achieve c ­ hange for the better we also have to review our understanding of existing processes to influence ­attitudes, lives and ultimately, the world.

The fact is the world we live in has reached a critical inflection point. Never before were so many people influenced by changing dynamics. Geopolitical shifts, differing value systems, disruptive business models, the changing nature of work and a new radi­ cal way of c ­ ommunication and media consumption usher us into a new ­period of history.

The sharpest minds in their respective fields will present snapshots of the most ­transformative ideas shaping our future. In various formats you will dis­ cuss the effects on our profession and ­discover the personal challenges and obstacles you need to over­ come. This will strengthen your role as your CEO’s most important advisor.

To engage in the discussion on changing ­dynamics, the 2017 Circle will be held in the lively city of Amsterdam, a cultural and progressive place in the heart of Europe merging history with an innovative and open atmosphere. This global ­European city has a unique spirit of commerce and creativity, making it the perfect setting for our gathering.

HERBERT HEITMANN President EACD & Chairman of the Steering Committee 2017

EXPERIENCE THE CIRCLE IN AMSTERDAM GET LECTURES IN THE RIJKSMUSEUM

ENJOY GREAT COMPANY IN THE SKYLOUNGE

RELAX YOUR MIND IN THE KANARIECLUB

DISCOVER ­ALTERNATIVE IDEAS AT DECEUVEL

DAY ONE SIMON ANHOLT Founder The Good Country Index

Making the Case for Big Good.

In an age where we are positively spoilt for huge challenges that urgently need addressing, it’s remarkable how many organisations settle for boring approaches to tiny problems. Simon Anholt, founder of the Good Country and the Global Vote, shows how simple and rewarding it is for the corporate mind to ‘telescope instead of microscope’ and focus on Big Good instead of Little Good.

The day has 48 hours In a mere of five to ten years’ we should get used to a day which will consist of 48 hours: 24 hours physical and 24 hours digital.

Everybody will have its own avatar that is smart enough to attend meetings, that decides when the icebox needs to be filled,

KEVIN WARWICK Emeritus Professor Reading and Coventry Universities

Cyborgs and ­ robots with ­biological brains Kevin Warwick will be talking about what‘s going on in ­Biohacking and what can be done with implant technology to enhance humans as well as for therapy. He will also present material on growing biological brains and putting them in a robot body. The basis for all will be practical examples due to actual experimentation.

what journeys we make and when we need to go to our family doctor. Scary? Maybe. Are we holding back on that development? No. So we might as well embrace it. Artificial intelligence and robotics that make computers even smarter represent probably the biggest change to change our lives dramatically.

ERIK HOVING Group Chief Technology Officer KPN

How to innovate in the presence of demanding shareholders When he started as an engineer and scientist, Marijn Dekkers was always driven by the ability to invent better solutions. Later as a CEO he had to focus on successfully turning inventions into innovations. Only when customers

DR. MARIJN DEKKERS Chairman Unilever PLC

choose innovative products more often or are prepared to pay more, can demanding shareholders be satisfied too.

An open window on the future When looking far into the future, what do we see? The promises that the future will keep, be they the boom of the middle classes, an aging population or a huge increase in ­communications, cities and the Internet.

Looking even farther forward in time, the future becomes less certain, a hazardous area where the worst runs alongside the best: increased inequality, vanishing beaches and populism on the one hand, but on the other, clean energy and an end to waste and massive poverty.

By using datas, maps and graphs, future studies are like leaning out a window onto the future where we discover a wide range of possibilities, the future as it is inventing itself today, as we may shape and decide it as well, and the force of thought when it is free and open to change and avoids one-sided ideas, old habits and surrender.

VIRGINE RAISSON President of LEPAC

DAY TWO

Beyond Smart Cities: Redefining the „Smart Everything“ Paradigm A critical reflection of the „Smart Everything“ paradigm is necessary. Thus, I present a citizen-centered design approach for smart cities, which allows transforming them into Humane, Sociable and Cooperative Hybrid Cities.

The approach aims at reconciling humans and technology and implies to keep the human in the loop and in control. Security and privacy infringements are of major concern as they become more important now also in the real world when cities develop into smart, hybrid cities.

Facing the future: the power of art and history

DR. DR. NORBERT STREITZ Scientific Director Smart Future Initiative

Over the past decade the Rijksmuseum has undergone a complete renovation. This provided a rare opportunity to completely rethink a national institution. Not only the building and the display but also the role and position it aims to have in our society and in people’s lives. The lecture will give an insight into this process: the way the collection is always our point of departure and of arrival. It will argue for the importance of simplicity, and how it is often

TACO DIBBITS Director of Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

most complex to arrive at it; why authenticity is key in the digital age and what power do art and history have to bring people together in today’s world.

DAY

THREE

SHERMIN VOSHMGIR Founder Blockchainhub

Disrupting ­Organizations: Decentralized Autonomous Organizations Blockchain is the driving force of the next generation Internet, also referred to as the Decentralized Web. It allows us to decentralise trust. Smart contracts on the Blockchain radically reducing transaction costs creating the basis for a P2P society, allowing for new forms of organisational structures that were not feasible before. What is the state of that technology and what are the pitfalls and challenges of Blockchain based DAOs (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations)?

When Everyone has Superpowers BEN HAMMERSLEY Futurist, explorer, pilot, ­medic, and scientist

How the latest developments in technology, training, biology, and politics are redefining our world, and how to survive and prosper in the coming turmoil.

JEREMY GALBRAITH CEO, EMEA Burson-Marsteller

PIERRE GOAD Group General Manager, Group Head of HR and Communication HSBC

NICOLE GORFER Global Head Public & Employee Communications Roche Group

DR. HERBERT H ­ EITMANN President European ­Association of Communication ­Directors

JAN HOL Senior Vice President Communications VU Medical Center

STEPHEN JOLLY Executive Director M&C Saatchi

CHARLOTTE ­ INDSEY-CURTET L Director of Communication and Information Management International Committee of the Red Cross

ANNE VILLEMOES Public Relations Specialist AnneVillemoes.dk

BRIAN LOTT Chief Communications Officer Mubadala

INGE WALLAGE

MICHAEL MURPHY Senior Partner Michael Murphy & Ltd.

CAROLINE WOUTERS Chief Brand Officer/VP, Corporate Communications Wolters Kluwer

FLORENCE RANSON Communication Director FoodDrinkEurope

S EE T

INGMAR DE GOOIJER Partner Flare Growth

M IT T

MARC CLOOSTERMAN CEO VIM Group

RI N

O GC M

EE

HANS KOELEMAN Director Corporate ­Communications & CSR KPN

MÉDARD

­SCHOENMAKERS

W

RE

R W E

VIE

2015 DENMARK

VIE

2014 ITALY

ROME

COPENHAGEN

2013 TURKEY

ISTANBUL

2011 ENGLAND

2016 GREECE

OXFORD ATHENS 2012 GERMANY

POTSDAM

­Registration

Location

Participation in the event is possible by invitation only.

The 2017 Circle will be held in the lively city of Amsterdam, a

Arround 60 high-level Chief Communications Officers and Chief

cultural and progressive place in the heart of Europe merging

Human Resources Officers are expected to attend the 2016

history with an innovative and open atmosphere. These cha-

Circle. The registration for the event has to be done online:

racteristics of course are reflected in the venue for our this ye-

www.thecircle.eu/register

ars Circle as well: The Royal Concertgebouw, which is considered one of the finest concert halls in the world, offers the perfect

Conference fees The regular conference fee is 2,490 Euro (plus VAT). The fee for participants working in NGOs is 1,290 Euro (plus VAT). This includes access to all parts of the conference programme as well as catering and entertainment programm for all days. Tra-

setting for our gathering.

The Royal Concertgebouw Concertgebouwplein 10 • 1071 LN Amsterdam • Netherlands

Contact

vel costs and hotel accommodation should be organised by the

THE CIRCLE

participant. Check our website www.thecircle.eu to review hotel

Square de Meeûs 37 • B-1000 Brussels

recommendations located nearby our event location.

Tel +32 (0)2 219 22 90 info@thecircle.eu

Host

www.thecircle.eu

The European Association of Communication Directors (EACD) wants to attract, inspire and engage current and future communication leaders to drive excellence in our profession. Recog-nising the growing importance of communications, we offer the

Terms & ­Conditions

professionals a platform to connect, deepen their expertise,

Please check all terms and conditions here:

share best practice, establish and promote relevant standards.

www.thecircle.eu/terms

www.eacd-online.eu

For further information visit www.thecircle.eu

See you in Amsterdam!

www.thecircle.eu