New Year’s Event 2025

We would like to invite you to our New Year’s event on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the National Military Museum in Soest (Verlengde Paltzerweg 1). During this special afternoon, our keynote speakers, former Commander Dick Berlijn and investigative journalist Huib Modderkolk, will share their insights on digital and physical security.

This year, history and the future come together at a unique location. The National Military Museum offers a fascinating look at the past and an inspiring perspective on technology, innovation, and safety. At our New Year’s event, we’ll kick off the year together while exploring the connections between physical and digital security. Retired General Dick Berlijn and investigative journalist Huib Modderkolk will take you on a thought-provoking journey into these important topics.

Museum visit included

From 10:00 a.m., you are welcome to visit the museum free of charge. Discover compelling stories of military heritage, admire historic aircraft and vehicles, and see how technological advancements, past and present, have been vital to protecting our society.

The program officially begins at 2:30 p.m. with a festive reception near the auditorium, followed by the main program at 3:00 p.m. Dick Berlijn, cybersecurity expert and former Commander of the Armed Forces, and Huib Modderkolk, a specialist in the digital world and intelligence services, will give you a behind-the-scenes look at digital security and our shared responsibility to protect the Netherlands’ digital infrastructure.

Program

Enjoy free access to the museum between 10:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

2:30 p.m. – Welcome reception

3:00 p.m. – Welcome by Jan Willem Dees

3:05 p.m. – Keynote by Huib Modderkolk

3:55 p.m. – Short break

4:10 p.m. – Keynote by Dick Berlijn

5:00 p.m. – Closing plenary session

5:05 p.m. – Drinks and dinner

7:30 p.m. – End of event

Registration:

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email. If you don’t see it in your inbox, please check your spam folder and add us to your whitelist. A few days before the event, we’ll send you more information. We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

Keynote Speakers

Dick Berlijn

Retired General & Associate Partner
Hague Corporate Affairs

Dick Berlijn combines his military experience as a former Commander of the Armed Forces with deep expertise in digital threats. In his keynote, he will outline key challenges and scenarios in the field of cybersecurity.

Huib Modderkolk

Investigative Reporter
Volkskrant

Huib Modderkolk, author of bestsellers There’s a War Going On But No One Can See It and You Really Don’t Want to Know, is known for his sharp analyses of cyber espionage and privacy. He will share unique insights into the impact of technology on society and offer a deeper understanding of digital security and threats.

Jan Willem Dees

MD Netherlands
NorthC

Jan Willem Dees is responsible for NorthC’s operations in the Netherlands. Before joining NorthC, he was General Manager at Hewlett Packard Enterprise Netherlands and held senior roles at NTT, including CEO of Germany and Managing Director of the Netherlands.

Venue Details

National Military Museum

Verlengde Paltzerweg 1
3768 MX
Soest

Plan your route

Looking back at last year’s event

New Year’s Event 2024 – Naturalis

Our New Year’s event in 2024 was held at the Naturalis museum in Leiden. Over 150 guests explored the museum’s remarkable exhibits, from prehistoric dinosaurs to modern biodiversity. The event featured presentations by Managing Director Jan Willem Dees and Group CEO Alexandra Schless, who shared updates about NorthC. Keynote speaker and AI expert Jim Stolze inspired the audience with his vision for artificial intelligence and the future of digital innovation. Watch the video to relive the highlights.