Isa Holtus
A gift card as a thank-you is always nice, but has a short excitement peak. A weekend that people will talk about for months to come, on the other hand, does not.
For KPN, we once again organized the annual trip for their Final Sprint in May 2026. An incentive for more than 300 employees who had earned their spot through their top performances.
The assignment was clear: after several programs abroad by train, the desire this time was to set up a program in the Netherlands that would once again exceed expectations.
Challenge accepted.
Most group tours start at the hotel.
This one already started on the way.
Eight tour buses departed from various locations in the Netherlands toward South Limburg. During a stopover at Pietersheim Castle in Belgium, lunch was ready and all participants received a personal envelope containing their hotel information, activity tickets, and luggage tag.
Sounds simple.
But precisely because of this, space was created for what was truly important.
No hassle with luggage. No figuring things out. No questions about where you needed to be.
The suitcases went directly to the right hotel. The participants only had to do one thing: enjoy the weekend that was waiting for them.
Not every company wants a program that works in the exact same way for 300 people.
That is why we chose freedom within clear boundaries.
Participants could decide for themselves how they wanted to discover Maastricht on the first day. One person entered the fray during a city battle. Another got on a bike. Some chose a boat trip or city walk. And whoever preferred to head into the city without a plan was given every opportunity to do so.
Choosing for yourself creates ownership.
And precisely for that reason, an experience becomes personal.
Everyone experienced the same weekend. But each in their own way.
The evening began full of anticipation with a location that remained secret until the end.
Astonishment after the group entered La Caverne.
What looked like a marl quarry from the outside turned out to conceal a complete event world beneath the hills of Limburg.
Food stands.
Bars.
Entertainment.
Lounges.
Surprises around every corner.
The kind of location where people automatically reach for their phones to take pictures.
While participants initially thought they were heading to a dinner location, a completely different world slowly unfolded. A world where you kept looking around because there was always something new to discover.
And that was precisely the intention.
Scattered throughout the quarry, participants determined their own route past various food concepts, bars, and activities.
Catching up with colleagues for a bit.
Play a game.
Meeting new people.
Or just enjoy the atmosphere.
The merchandise corner also proved to be a success. Through a claw machine and various games, participants had the chance to win gadgets and other prizes. In addition, everyone took home an exclusive KPN hoodie as a tangible reminder of the weekend.
With a performance by Dries Roelvink and a closing DJ, the energy remained high all evening.
And as if that wasn't enough, later in the evening a typically Limburgish midnight snack also appeared: fries with Sauerbraten.
After a night in one of the comfortable hotels in the center of Maastricht and, for some, a night out in one of the cozy pubs, the second day featured a full afternoon program of activities through South Limburg. From wine tasting, a tour of a beer brewery, cycling through the Limburg hills, or cave biking through a quarry near Valkenburg aan de Geul. This day also offered the freedom of choice to follow a program that suits you.
Ultimately, this weekend was not about Maastricht.
Not about Valkenburg.
Not even for that impressive quarry.
It was all about appreciation.
To make people feel that their effort matters.
Not with a speech.
Not with a PowerPoint.
But with an experience.
From the personal welcome along the way to the surprises during the program. From the freedom of choice during the day to the party underground.
One thought was woven throughout the entire weekend:
Your achievement deserves something special.
Some trips are fun.
Others become part of the stories that colleagues are still telling months later.
“Do you remember that quarry?”
“That hoodie?”
“Dries as a special guest?”
Those are the moments that stick with you.
And precisely why we do what we do.
Not because everything has to go perfectly.
Because the right experience brings people closer together.
We do not design standard programs.
We create experiences that people will talk about for a long time.
From 10 to 1000+ participants. In the Netherlands or far beyond.
Go further to get closer.
Karen van den Berg
Team Manager
