Organizing an event is like assembling a complex puzzle. Every piece must fit together to create a cohesive whole that not only stimulates but truly resonates. That’s exactly what we aimed to convey during the fourth edition of Obsession Dialogues. An afternoon where, together with 70 event managers, Partners for Live, we explored how meaningful choices can make all the difference—not only for the event itself but also for the journey of the organization. The setting? The iconic Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, a venue that perfectly reflects what we strive for: inspiring reflection and sparking inspiration.
This was Obsession Dialogues 2024
Look in the Mirror and Design Your Live
Under the theme Design Your Live, we challenged participants to critically reflect on their role as event managers. At the Depot, with its reflective exterior, guests experienced—both literally and figuratively—the importance of pausing to consider themselves and the choices they make. The program brought the art of curation to life through inspiring dialogues, practical workshops, and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the Depot. From the venue to the content, everything was designed to foster meaningful connections. The Obsession Expo offered insights into our organizational identity, Picture This allowed participants to design AI-generated artworks, and the workshop The Story of My Live provided practical tools to make events even more impactful.
In Dialogue with the 'Best in Class'
Three exceptional guest speakers—what we consider the 'best in class'—invited us into their worlds and shared their insights on making meaningful choices.
Annemartine van Kesteren, Design Curator at Depot Boijmans Van Beuningen, emphasized that compromise isn’t always the answer. "Create conditions that allow for flexibility, so you can make adjustments at the last moment for a better result. And if you hit a roadblock? Consciously seek inspiration at the source."
Lars Crama, Director of Up!Rotterdam, shared how a sharp focus on audience segmentation contributes to the success of the Upstream Festival and can lead to "Structured Serendipity." His advice? "Be crystal clear on whether your event is an end in itself or a means to a greater goal. That clarity will guide every decision you make."
Miriam van der Lubbe, Creative Head of Dutch Design Week, inspired action with her call for leadership over curation. "Just do it. Dare to make mistakes and learn from them. That will bring you closer to what truly works for your audience." She also provided insights into the five Mission Days and Mission Perspectives that have brought visitors and designers closer together.
The Story of My Live
To make the insights practically applicable, Program Developer Amber Jobse and Account Director Hans Klaver organized a workshop where participants crafted their personal ‘Story of My Live’. This tool helps organizations establish a clear starting point for designing an event.
The model consists of two chapters:
- Chapter One focuses primarily on the organizational identity—the familiar ‘Why?’ from Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle.
- Chapter Two centers on the key players of the event: what conversation needs to happen, and between whom?
Visualized on full-length mirrors—a nod to the theme of reflection—the workshop provided a tangible keepsake of the day.
Would you like to get started with our Story of My Live model? Download it right away.
On to the Anniversary Edition
It was a day full of inspiration, reflection, and action. The interactions between speakers, participants, and our own team once again demonstrated the power of co-creation and the spirit of growing sustainably together. With a doubling of the number of participants compared to previous years and an average score of 9, we are already looking forward to the anniversary edition on Monday, December 8, 2025. Mark it in your calendar and stay tuned. Together, we will continue to build meaningful live moments.
Want to relive the Obsession Dialogues? Check out the photo album here.