Time to Make Sense Summit 2025
Real progress thrives in the areas others overlook. Step into a day filled with transformative plot twists and critical (re)thinking. Challenge your beliefs with those who dare to drive change. Go beyond business as usual and take home unconventional yet practical ideas that make an impact. Powered by Springbok, Dawn and Joe Public.
Relive the summit
We enjoyed an afternoon in nature filled with talks, art and music. Featuring a refreshing lineup of visionaries, creative spirits, and changemakers. Check out the images below.
Who you’ll get inspired by
Trix van der Vleuten is a keynote speaker, board member, and currently Chief Marketing Officer at The Social Hub. She has held senior commercial roles at multinationals including Versuni, KFC, Kraft Heinz, FrieslandCampina, SABMiller, and PepsiCo, where she led innovative commercial programs on an international scale.
Alongside her executive career, she is also a guest lecturer at institutions such as Nyenrode, EDHEC, and SRM. Trix has been recognized in the MT/Sprout Next Leadership 50, the Inclusive 30, and the SER Top Women list.
How to do good and make money at the same time?
Trix shows that purpose and profit don’t have to be at odds. By solving real business challenges with impact-driven thinking, brands can stand out, win consumer trust, and unlock growth proving that doing good is not a cost, but a competitive advantage.
Caroline van Turennout leads with a sharp sense of purpose proving that simplicity, respect, and long-term thinking can outperform flash. She’ll share how cost-consciousness can drive real value for people, planet, and profit. A masterclass in marketing with a conscience.
How cost-consciousness can drive real value for people, planet, and profit.
For Zeeman, low pricing isn’t about being cheap. It’s about being radically clear on what matters.
Vince Buyssens stands at the crossroads of tech and culture helping Loop Earplugs scale smarter with AI. He believes that AI's true potential isn't unlocked through skills or frameworks, but through intuition; learning to think with machine intelligence rather than just using it. With the founding of Thoughtform he helps teams cultivate that sense, turning AI from just a productivity tool into a creative force multiplier. As Belgium’s first Pokémon GO strategist and now a leading voice in generative AI, he rides trends as if they are sandworms.
The future isn’t just automated, it’s curated
At Time to Make Sense, Vince brings a fresh lens on digital transformation: how to use AI with intention, and how to curate meaning in a world of infinite output.
Gili, aka Lieven Gheysen, is an all-round entertainer, presenter of a series of amazing acts, and above all, hilariously absurd. This master of perception is not just funny, but bold, weird and captivating.
Nothing is what it seems
How easily misled is our brain? With a unique mix of comedy and magic, Gili defies your mind, shakes your beliefs and leaves you flabbergasted for 45 minutes. Prepare for an unforgettable experience that challenges your perceptions and entertains in ways you never imagined.
Writer, poet and visual artist Maarten Inghels’ interdisciplinary practice explores the boundaries of fiction through novels, performances, sculptures and installations in the public space. He is a keen observer of human behavior and societal dynamics, often blurring the lines between reality and imagination. In his new novella “Hannibal & Gideon”, he embarks on an extraordinary journey of climbing mountains with an elephant, embracing the transformative power of fiction to inspire his readers to achieve the seemingly impossible in our lives and work.
Het mirakel van België: literary true crime
In "Het mirakel van België", Inghels delves into the life of master con artist Piet Van Haut, who has posed as a sheikh, the head of pharmaceuticals at Johnson & Johnson, the king of Belgium, and many more. Using false identities, he embezzled millions from banks and individuals across Europe, raising questions about identity, deception, and the allure of the extraordinary. Is Van Haut a mad genius, a cunning trickster, or a miraculous figure? Get ready for a thought-provoking exploration that challenges your understanding of truth and the stories we tell ourselves.
The Flemish Maarten Schenk is a prominent figure in the fight against fake news, co-founder of the fact-checking organization Lead Stories, passionate advocate for media literacy and author of “De Fake News Files”, in which he shares valuable insights from his experiences founding and running Lead Stories. With a background in Germanic languages and computer science, he combines analytical skills with a deep understanding of the mechanisms behind misinformation.
Navigating the complex world of fake news
In his engaging talk, Maarten will explore the challenges of distinguishing fact from fiction in today's digital age, shedding light on how algorithms and social media amplify misleading narratives. With his unique insights and experiences, he aims to equip you with the tools to critically assess the information you encounter. Prepare for an enlightening session that challenges your perceptions and empowers you to navigate the complex world of truth and deception.
Mieke De Ketelaere is a leading authority in AI, dedicated to exploring the synergy between technology and human collaboration. With extensive experience in AI development, she emphasizes the importance of creative and critical thinking in leveraging AI effectively as a renowned keynote speaker and author.
The 25% barrier: how to unlock AI's value
In her dynamic presentation, Mieke reveals why many companies haven't (yet) unlocked AI's full potential. She stresses the need to rethink the relationship between people and technology, highlighting how strong human leadership is crucial for achieving AI success. Through practical explanations, she simplifies complex concepts and promotes creative problem-solving. Get ready for a transformative session that gives valuable insights into AI's future and the shifts needed to fully realize its potential.
Iris Gündel is a generational expert, radio host, and keynote speaker with a background in Change Management. Through her organization Voorkans and training institute Collab Academy, she helps teams and organizations build sustainable collaboration across generations. With her self-developed Prediation® method, Iris equips professionals with tools for future-proof leadership, effective communication, and strong team dynamics. She has a unique ability to bridge differences and transform them into connection, performance, and resilience.
Generational Power: From Friction to Flow
Today, four generations work side by side, and that often leads to noise, misunderstandings, and frustration. Iris Gündel shows organizations how to turn generational differences into a strength: Generational Power.
Ruben van Dijk is creative director at Joe Public, where he’s won numerous awards for his work in advertising. Outside the agency world, he is an avid oil painter, an amateur art collector, and has a background in organizing art exhibitions and exhibiting his own tech-based art. His creative practice spans both the traditional and the experimental, grounded in a deep love for ideas and critical thinking.
How we treat what we build.
As AI and copyright spark heated debate, most questions focus on what data AI can use, and whether we’re treating artists fairly. But Ruben van Dijk flips the question: are we treating AI fairly?
Simon Van Parys (°1986, Ghent) is a Belgian artist whose work fuses traditional sculpture with futuristic vision. Trained at KASK/School of Arts, he creates hand-modeled forms that evolve into immersive multimedia installations. Since 2016, Simon has expanded his practice with electronic music, soundscapes, and laser projections that transform his sculptures into full sensory experiences. His solo projects have taken him from London to Buenos Aires, Hong Kong, Tehran, and Shanghai, often working site-specifically with only a month to deliver a full exhibition. Awarded a Development Grant by the Flemish Government in 2018, Simon now also advises on cultural funding and collaborates across disciplines from fashion to opera. His practice bridges old-school craft with forward-looking experimentation.
Expanding Imagination
Simon Van Parys calls himself an “old-school futurist.” His sculptures are not static objects, but living environments where sound, light, and form collide. At Time to Make Sense, Simon will take the audience inside his process of shaping the future through clay, techno, and laser. His talk explores how art can cut through complexity and re-open our imagination, reminding us that innovation is not only about tools but about energy, play, and courage to look differently. Expect a journey where the boundaries between sculpture, performance, and experience blur.
What you can expect
Listen to bold keynotes and compelling stories of those who dare to challenge the status quo.
Listen to bold keynotes and compelling stories of those who dare to challenge the status quo.
Experience the weird but wonderful ambiance of the Verbeke Foundation, where art and nature collide in unexpected ways.
Experience the weird but wonderful ambiance of the Verbeke Foundation, where art and nature collide in unexpected ways.
Explore thought-provoking modern and contemporary installations that invite you to see the world through a different lens.
Explore thought-provoking modern and contemporary installations that invite you to see the world through a different lens.
Connect with like-minded people who share your passion for transformation.
Connect with like-minded people who share your passion for transformation.
Enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced lunch that not only fuels your body but also sparks conversation and collaboration among attendees.
Enjoy a delicious, locally-sourced lunch that not only fuels your body but also sparks conversation and collaboration among attendees.