Keynote · conference moderator · masterclass

A speaker who brings energy to the room and gives senior leaders something to think about.

Clear enough for a broad audience, substantive enough for the boardroom. I make complex developments easy to grasp and connect them to decisions an organisation can actually take.

Tell me about your event → Schedule an introductory call

Not sure about the format? Call +31 6 100 35 001 or send a WhatsApp message.

Netflix says “Strong energy, a clear vision and a deep understanding of organisational challenges.”

Still from the clip on why a forklift driver could become a drone pilot

See how it goes

This is how I sound on stage

Why a forklift driver could become a drone pilot, and what that says about how narrowly most organisations look at talent. One unedited fragment, so you know what you are booking.

Tell me about your event →

The full ZP Europe talk and more recordings are on the video page.

At the previous session I was still answering emails. During yours I did not look at my phone once.
Participant, HR Trendcongres 2025

What to expect

Understand the change. See the possibilities. Take the first step.

A keynote needs to connect with what matters to the people in the room. I link developments in AI to recognisable questions about work, talent and collaboration.

A clear picture of AI and work

Your audience understands how AI changes tasks and roles, and the choices this creates for their own organisation.

Curiosity about the future

Examples and interaction bring the possibilities closer to home. We make room for questions and explore which parts of their work people would like to change.

A practical first step

We close with a question, decision or experiment that fits your event’s purpose and gives the conversation somewhere to go next.

Formats

From the main stage to the boardroom

Every format is tailored to the audience, the event and the outcome you want.

Keynote · 30–60 min

Keynote

An interactive talk on AI, work and talent, tailored to your audience and theme. During preparation, we discuss which insights and questions matter most to your event.

Conference moderation

Conference moderator

I connect speakers, discussions and audience contributions to your event’s central theme. With informed questions, attention to the audience and a feel for the energy in the programme.

Masterclass · workshop

Masterclass or workshop

We connect AI and the future of work to your team’s own practice. Using your questions, we explore possibilities and make concrete choices about a next step. Any practical AI exercises and preparation are agreed in advance.

Executive roundtable

An in-depth conversation with executives about AI, work and organisational change. We explore the opportunities, dilemmas and decisions relevant to your organisation.

See my three keynotes →

On the conference stage

From planning to matching

Opening keynote · Vlirdens WFM Congress · 4 June 2026

A full room during the Vlirdens WFM Congress, seen from the back of the hall

Central question: How does AI change the way we organise work and make use of people’s skills?
My contribution: An opening keynote on the shift from planning to matching: moving from fixed jobs and staffing towards a different perspective on tasks, skills and collaboration between people and AI.
Relevant to your event: A starting point for a conference on workforce management, AI or the future of work. During preparation, we discuss how the keynote connects with your theme and the other parts of your programme.

From the conference stage to the boardroom, I tailor the examples, interaction and depth to the people in front of me. AI, work and talent provide the foundation. Your organisation’s questions determine where we focus.

300+

talks, from boardrooms to major conferences

15+

international events

150+

innovation and organisational change projects

Discuss your conference →

From practice

Three examples of what happened next

For workshops and organisational sessions, a good session is not the session itself, but what an organisation does with it the week after. Three examples.

Center Parcs

Business

The question: Do more with AI, and at the same time get the HR teams working together better.
My contribution: A multi-day session with HR management. From wanting AI, through experiencing what it can do, to concrete plans.
The effect: The team left with plans and with ownership: for every topic it was clear who would take it forward.

“Laurens connects technology and people, and creates space for an open conversation and new perspectives.” Marcel Berghuis, CHRO Center Parcs

Vista College

Education

The question: HR wanted to lead the organisation’s AI transformation, but did not know where to start.
My contribution: Working sessions with HR leaders and owners, followed by a theme day with the entire HR team.
The effect: Urgency became tangible, the constraints were mapped, and an agenda for change was drawn up with owners attached.

Amsterdam UMC

Healthcare

The question: Two hundred HR staff, one question: what does AI mean for our own work and for the hospital?
My contribution: A strategy session with the whole department. First inspiration and ambition, then hands-on work.
The effect: Working groups with owners were formed, and a change plan was presented to the board.

How it works

How we prepare the session

Introductory call

A short call about your event, audience and goal. Feel free to grab a slot in the calendar right away.

Shaping the content

We sharpen the story for your theme and sector. You know your audience, I bring the content.

Sounding out the room

I like to run a short survey among your participants beforehand. It takes them two minutes and gives me the questions, worries and examples that actually matter on the day.

On the day

On site well in advance, tech check and alignment with the host.

After the event

Slides and materials for your participants, and if you like: a follow-up for your organisation.

Laurens on stage at 'the future starts here'

Full theatre during a keynote by Laurens

Agenda

Where to see me next

A selection of confirmed appearances. Want me at your event? Tell me about it.

16 SeptemberZukunft Personal EuropeKeynote on AI, skills, matching and the future of workCologne
21 SeptemberAI Matching CommunityHost and speaker on AI matching, skills and the AI ActUtrecht
24 SeptemberUp to Flex 2026On the future of flexible work in the age of AIUtrecht
29–30 SeptemberGlobal Talent Strategy & Intelligence ConferenceFrom Planning to Matching: Agentic HRAmsterdam
5 OctoberHealthcare meet-up for executives and HRHost, panel and working session on the labour market, AI, talent and healthcareUtrecht region
6 OctoberDigitaal WervenWith Kobi Ampoma of HEINEKEN on AI agents that make recruiters strongerAmersfoort
9 OctoberGoodHabitz Human Skills FestKeynote The More AI, The More Human, and a roundtable with Saskia van Uffelen
20–22 OctoberUNLEASHSkills-based organising in the age of AIParis
2 NovemberIntegrale Skills Ambassade ConferentieSpeaker
3 NovemberNationaal Arbo CongresKeynote on redesigning work around people, skills and AI
6 NovemberABD / DGABDTwo workshop rounds on the impact of AI on work
3 DecemberKSF JaarcongresConference moderator

Stages and clients

Where I have spoken

I have been speaking and chairing conferences since 2004, from a leadership team of eight to a room of eight hundred. A selection:

See the full list →

What clients say

“

Laurens offers an inspiring perspective on some of the major challenges facing society. He speaks about them with energy and knows how to engage a large audience.

Kim PuttersPresident, Social and Economic Council of the Netherlands

“

He brings strong energy, a clear vision and a deep understanding of organisational challenges. His flexibility and collaborative approach made the cooperation both effective and enjoyable.

Bianca BuaNetflix

“

Laurens brings energy and clarity into the room. During our HR & AI session he kept everyone engaged with concrete, recognisable examples and we went home with fresh ideas.

Joost SluijsHR Director, Radboudumc

“

Laurens brings an inspiring and refreshingly practical perspective to recruitment. He challenges comfortable assumptions and shows clearly what AI already means for hiring today. His talk prompts both reflection and action.

Sjoerd BurgerRecruitment Manager, Rijkswaterstaat

Practical

Frequently asked questions

Which languages do you speak?

Dutch and English, both at the same pace and with the same energy. International stages such as UNLEASH World and Zukunft Personal I do in English.

How is the talk tailored?

Every booking includes an intake. I weave your sector, current challenges and the language of your audience into the story. Specific examples and cases are available for healthcare, government and corporate audiences.

How interactive is it?

Quite interactive by default: live audience research, questions and conversation with the room. We tune the level to your programme. A room of 800 can be just as interactive as a management team of 8.

What is needed technically?

A headset or lapel microphone, a screen with HDMI or USB-C, and internet for the live interaction. I bring my own laptop and presenter and arrive well before the start for the check.

Can the talk be recorded?

Almost always, in consultation. Fragments for your aftermovie or socials are no problem. For full recordings we simply agree on the use beforehand.

Shall we pick a date?

Tell me about your event and your audience. You’ll quickly hear whether the date is free and how we tailor the story.

Tell me about your event →

📅Schedule an introductionPick a time that suits you ✉Send a messageVia the contact form, an initial response within one working day 💬Send a WhatsApp message+31 6 100 35 001 📞Call +31 6 100 35 001A quick question is always welcome