Chapter News

October 10, 2025 - truly a day to remember. The PMI BeNeLux Summit brought together project professionals from across Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg for an unforgettable experience of learning, connection, and inspiration - all under the theme of AI transformation, sustainable leadership, and human-centered project management.

Behind the Scenes

The magic began well before the summit. After many months of preparation - from 8 a.m. coordination calls to late-night meetings at 10 p.m., from aligning with manufacturers to fine-tuning every detail - the team’s dedication never wavered. And, one day before the event, volunteers - new and seasoned alike - gathered for the final preparations. Presidents, speakers, sponsors, and organizers all rolled up their sleeves together. It was true camaraderie and everyone felt they belonged.

The Day Unfolds

From the moment the doors opened at MECC Maastricht, everything ran with precision and passion. Smooth organization, small hiccups solved in minutes, and a beautiful venue that set the tone for a day of inspiration. The food and drinks kept spirits high, and the energy in every room was contagious.

 

Keynotes that Sparked Reflection

 

• Christian Kromme reminded us to “Go Digital, Stay Human,” transforming disruption into opportunity.
• Christina Sejr Pedersen showed how AI and people can truly co-exist in project management.
• Bart Briers made the case that The Future is Hybrid - and it resonated deeply.

 

Learning Tracks that Delivered

Each track — Pioneer, Master, and Innovator — offered its own gems.

Pioneer Track

• Lorenzo Vetrano set the tone with “My New Teammate Called AI,” showing how technology can be a trusted ally without losing the human touch.
• Anna Yampolskaya turned reporting from a chore into strategy, proving that AI can free time for creativity and leadership.
• Renuka Ayri reminded everyone that self-awareness and emotional intelligence are the true foundations of leadership.
• Nicole Schelter introduced the GITTE concept, redefining what human-centered AI assistance can look like.
• Joachim Dehais and Lorenzo Vetrano got participants moving in their “Leadership Through Sport and Dance”workshop — learning by doing, and laughing along the way.
• Frank Tassone made sustainability practical, giving ready-to-use ChatGPT prompts to measure project impact.
• Al Zeitoun closed the track with an inspiring talk on how to build cultures of innovation, adaptability, and connection.

 

Master Track

 

• Shushan Khachatryan-van Krimpen tackled the hidden carbon cost of AI and how to lead responsibly in a digital world.
• Christophe de Vleeschouwer shared powerful lessons from global drug development on resilience and adaptability.
• Teodora Anna Sveva Cerrato explored how AI can fuel ESG compliance and long-term sustainability.
• Bart Briers invited participants to design systems of collaborating AI agents — the future of teamwork in action.
• Kamil Mroz brought real-world agility from the pharmaceutical industry, proving that innovation thrives even in structured environments.

Innovator Track

• Stuart Thorp linked profitability and sustainability, showing how PMs can drive both financial and environmental value.
• Aurora Gualtieri and Joachim Dehais led honest conversations on bridging generational divides to reignite innovation in Europe.
• Pat Lucey shared his journey from project manager to founder, inspiring leaders to build with purpose and vision.
• Patricia Domínguez Marín explored how AI can shape a more inclusive, gender-balanced, and sustainable future.
• Markus Kopko offered a clear roadmap for AI integration — from basic automation to fully autonomous portfolio systems.
• Cindy Castado reminded us that amid acceleration, well-being and resilience remain essential leadership skills.

Every session left us thinking and smiling.

LEGO® Serious Play – Connect. Reflect. Build!

A highlight of the day was the LEGO® Serious Play Challenge, facilitated by Suzan Haenen and Anja Vandenbergh and her team during the opening ceremony. Participants got hands-on with LEGO bricks to Connect, Reflect, and Build, exploring how play can spark collaboration, creativity, and insight.

Throughout the day, attendees discovered the endless ways this method can enrich projects, from kick-offs and retrospectives to risk identification and team alignment. The interactive contest invited everyone to:
1️⃣ CONNECT with fellow participants between sessions
2️⃣ REFLECT on key insights and learnings
3️⃣ BUILD a LEGO model to visualize those takeaways
The atmosphere was pure joy - proof that serious learning can happen through serious play.

Conversations that Mattered - Panel Discussion

The AI in Project Management panel, moderated by Peter Ryan, brought together voices from across industries for an honest, thought-provoking discussion.

 
Yolanda Cabrera-Sybesma, Bart Briers, Tobias Kraan, Pat Lucey, and Stuart Thorp tackled the opportunities, risks, and responsibilities of AI in project management - from ethics and data-driven decision-making to the irreplaceable role of human judgment.

Grateful to Our Sponsors

Workshops by our partners like Smartsheet (James Ashby, Torey Tirpack), Dataciders (Patrick Böhm), Cleopatra (Jos van der Stelt), Threon (Anton Zandhuid and Jeroen D’hulst), cplace (Maximilian Riemhofer), and QRP (Guy Theunis) gave participants hands-on tools to take AI integration to the next level — safely, ethically, and practically.

In a Word: Exceptional

The PMI BeNeLux Summit was a celebration of our profession’s future, powered by people who care. From volunteers to speakers, from organizers to guests, every single person made it extraordinary.

🎥 Don’t just take our word for it — relive the day!
👉 Watch the Aftermovie: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/pmi-netherlands-chapter_pmi-benelux-summit-2025-activity-7386295306415452164-keEY?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABOggD0BCUGpA9uHJxMHLYWRPmRpeEQkCw8