Kicking off 25th anniversary at the OSV winter barbecue

It's hard to imagine that this network has already been around for 25 years. I can still see me sitting with Klaas Dijkstra in the garage, getting the first mailing ready. We did it by post with a response card, which you could also fax back. A fax: what is that? A lot has changed, but a lot has stayed the same. From meetings held in the basements at SVO in Utrecht with 30 members to a network of 300 members. Better said: trusted members, my friends!

During the winter barbecue on 24 January, with 180 attendees, we celebrated the start of our special anniversary year. We did this together with friends who have been participating in the network for years as well as new members who were coming for the first time, but whom we also expect to see more often! Let's not forget about Klaas Dijkstra, the founder of the network. He came with his wife.

I can proudly say that due to all the effort and dedication, a quarter of the attendees were part of the original target group: food producers. We will build upon this success in the year to come. During the first gathering, the barbecue, we already had 25 new members sign up.

It will be a year full of gatherings—even more than last year. Every business visit will be preceded by a presentation on a current topic. We have a lot in store for you from that end as well. From "claims and brands" and "privacy laws" to "taste perception." The programme for the year is just as dynamic as the market and cannot be planned out too far in advance. I again have a good reason to stay in continued contact with everyone. Every cloud has a silver lining.

Until next time!