EventZ in the newspaper. The Stars of...

Talent show as an alternative staff party

Company parties are (temporarily) out of the question. This is especially sad for healthcare personnel: they are the cement of society in this day and age. EventZ offers an alternative.‍

By Kees Klijn‍

Applause for care, it has echoed more than once in recent weeks. If it were up to René Huijbregts (53), the hands for nurses, doctors and employees within the residential care centers themselves would also go up for other talents they have, especially musically. "That appreciation is usually expressed with a staff party," says the 53-year-old Drunen native. "But it's going to be a while before something like that is possible again. There is another way to show that to feel the connection with each other."

The owner of EventZ, which specializes in distinctive event concepts, is referring to his talent show; The Stars Of...! "A few years ago we rolled that out for Hoogvliet Supermarkets because of their 45th anniversary. Employees could sign up for a mutual singing competition. As many as six hundred did. Every week a special audition bus with a complete studio went to a few branches, with a smooth presenter. The videos went online and could be voted on. For three quarters of a year we worked towards the grand finale, a company party in Ahoy. There, a video shows, the roof went completely off.

Mass partying is out of the question in the year 2020. According to Huijbregts, that does not prevent De Sterren Van...! from being a success. "You can of course postpone the live finale until all the events have been released. You can also attach a gift to it. For example, you can have the winner perform with musicians at the various venues. Or have the winning song recorded in a studio. What matters most: you put your own employees in the spotlight. And for months on end. You appreciate and reward them in a different, more creative, way. And we don't just do that with those videos. We also work with flyers, posters, trailers. And with backstage reports. So we're pulling out all the stops to make it a success." Waiting for the finals, so that you get to meet again, is not necessarily necessary. "You can also stream those, of course."

By the way: "It doesn't have to be limited to singing. Juggling, magic: it just depends on what your talent is. Anything that is possible in a few square meters, that is, in the audition van, can be addressed." Again, "It's about showing that connection and appreciation in a different, playful, way. Especially this time could use that."

More information and fun videos: www.desterrenvan.nl.

Brabants Dagblad 19-5-2020