Press release: Open Coffee organises 100th network meeting
Informal club – very popular with entrepreneurs who want to work offline
Zwaag, May 2010 – Open Coffee Holland, the open networking club by and for local entrepreneurs, will hold its 100th meeting on June 16 2010. This special jubilee is to be celebrated in Marnemoede restaurant in Ijsselstein. Open Coffee was organized for the first time three years ago in Amsterdam and was an immediate success. The meetings are open to everyone and the main objective is to bring local entrepreneurs and small businessmen together. Currently, Open Coffees are held every month in over 80 cities in The Netherlands all of which are organized by entrepreneurs who are involved in regional activities. This time the 100th Open Coffee in Ijsselstein is organized by Manuele Koelemij, franchiser of Employment Office Flexibility.
The Open Coffee Club is an English initiative by Saul Klein, who is one of the founders of Skype. His goal was to acquaint internet entrepreneurs, developers and investors with each other in an informal setting in London and in doing so he wanted to provide a clearer picture of the investment industry and stimulate entrepreneurship. Maikel Kok, Managing Director of the software development company Bridge, made sure that once the Open Coffee concept was introduced in Amsterdam on March 15 2007 the meetings spread like wildfire through the country. He did so with uncurbed enthusiasm and dedication. The popular networking club distinguishes itself because of its informal meetings and therefore it shies away from concepts such as membership, speeches or agenda items. Key to the meetings is an informal cup of coffee and a nice conversation with unknown fellow entrepreneurs.
Maikel Kok: “At Bridge we noticed three years ago that entrepreneurs were looking for a local network which has networking and openness as its goal. Open Coffees gives entrepreneurs a chance to leave their desks and contact other entrepreneurs. Ideas, plans, deceptions and victories, all subjects are given a chance. This open character goes very well with Bridge’s company strategy. Therefore I am proud of the fact that the 100th meeting is to be organized already. On behalf of all Open Coffee organizers I wish everyone lots of networking success!”
About Open Coffee
Open Coffee is an informal meeting which is held regularly so that people who are involved in ‘online business’ can meet each other, discuss ideas, share knowledge, brainstorm, hold meetings or cooperate. The goal is to network in a relaxed way whilst enjoying a cup of coffee. Open Coffee is an open concept which started in London and is now held worldwide every week at over 100 locations. The time and content differs from city to city but everywhere one is given a change to meet interesting and kind people. See www.opencoffeeclub.nl for more information.
