The nominees of the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize and the Talent Award 2024 were officially announced on Tuesday 10 September on the stage of Viva Classic Live on the Markt in the centre of Venlo. During the nomination event, the candidates for the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize gave a pitch in front of all attendees. This pitch, together with a number of other criteria, was taken into account in the expert jury's assessment. This year's central theme is: Omdenken. How do you turn a problem/challenge into an opportunity? The talents were interviewed this afternoon by Martine van der Meijden. In the coming months, the nominees will compete for the coveted prize.
The three nominees for the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize are:
- Fred Spijksma
- Rob Beurskens
- Rob Ewalds
Three promising young talents have also been nominated for the Talent Award:
- Emiel Zeevenhoven
- Joni Sloesen
- Saar Gansner
Background information on the candidates for the Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize 2024
Fred Spijksma (52 years old), who started as a warehouse worker at the age of 16, now owns GEBA Trans, one of the largest independent freight forwarders in the Netherlands. With 30 employees and a delivery reliability of 99%, GEBA Trans provides transport throughout Europe, positioning itself as a total care provider for its clients. There is a culture of innovation within GEBA Trans. One of the core values is Outside-the-Box thinking: encouraging employees to think differently, giving them the confidence to make choices as well as mistakes. There is also room for social innovation, whereby health, development and work-life balance are continuously monitored.
On the topic Omdenken says Spijksma: "Whether private or business, it is in my nature to look at things from different, sometimes even ridiculous points of view. Death threats like 'we've already tried that' or 'it won't work anyway' trigger me precisely to do it."
Rob Beurskens (51) grew up in an entrepreneurial family and registered with the Chamber of Commerce at the age of 18. Today, together with his brother, he owns Maashof, a versatile venue with 85 hotel rooms, a restaurant, meeting rooms, wellness facilities, group activities and the Fit Focus gym.
Maashof is located in quiet, green surroundings, aims to provide professional hospitality and wants to surprise guests again and again. The 135 employees are the foundation of the company and Beurskens tries to make a difference for them by providing training and education and letting them use Maashof's facilities.
On the topic Omdenken says Beurskens: "The start of our business is perhaps the best example of thinking around. When we had to leave our childhood home for the construction of the A73, we bought a meadow and built trout ponds there. This eventually grew into Maashof."
Rob Ewalds (53 years old) is owner of Gaston Schul, a customs specialist. The company's goal is to enable customers to trade without limits, with Gaston Schul's staff handling customs clearance in the broadest sense of the word. Active in 8 European countries, 16 offices and 350 employees, but with serious growth ambitions to become the leading 'Customs & Trade partner' to be in Europe. In 2025, the company will celebrate its 180th anniversary.
Rob Ewalds says about the theme 'Rethinking': "EU enlargement, Covid, Brexit, the major impact of wars on world trade, digitalisation and the consolidation of the customs market are forcing us to rethink all the time. For me, a problem is never something I 'suffer from' but rather 'an opportunity that energises me'. Specifically in the customs world, you have to rethink to be 'future-proof'.
Background information on the nominated talents:
Emiel Zeevenhoven (32) has been the proud owner of IJsco Fantastico for 13 years. What started as a small sales counter has grown into a business with several unique locations in the municipality of Venlo. In 2011, Emiel chose to leave his studies and fully commit to his entrepreneurial dream, a decision that yielded many new opportunities. In 2019, together with his then-companion, Wim Zeevenhoven, he bought the old chocolate and confectionery factory. After two years of hard work, this has become the place where artisan ice cream and chocolate are produced. The business has since grown to eight FTEs and 50 seasonal employees.
Emiel describes himself as an active and positive person, striving for the highest quality in everything he does. He is not afraid to make mistakes and seizes every opportunity with both hands. "My company is ready to grow even further within our industry," says Emiel.
Joni Sloesen (27) forms the core team of Restaurant Sober and Wine Estate Zavel together with Arno Janssen and Peter Bogema. Born and raised in Tegelen, he grew up in an entrepreneurial family on his father's side and a nature-loving family on his mother's side. At 19, he left Venlo with the idea of never returning and now he is a winemaker in our municipality and has been running Restaurant Sober with his companions since March 2023.
Joni about herself: "I am an entrepreneur, sommelier, winemaker, gardener and farmer. In my work, all my passions come together: good food, great wine and, above all, nature. Honest, modern and sincere entrepreneurship, it can be done. There is so much to contribute to our beautiful region. And I would also like to show that to my peers, that it can be done and that it works! Building a bright future together."
Saar Gansner (26), in addition to her job - as a Junior Consultant Food at Green People Recruitment - is committed to creating a unique place in the Father's Garden in Steyl. Together with her father, she runs the Kloosterbrouwerij Steyl, where guests can taste and enjoy traditionally brewed speciality beers and home-cooked regional dishes.
With a degree in Food Innovation in her pocket, as well as the Beer License, her passion is to develop food and beer concepts honestly, with trends, sustainability and local collaborations at the centre. Saar: "We are a social enterprise that provides opportunities for development for everyone, regardless of background or support needs. In 2025, the year of the monastery village's 150th anniversary, we hope to open a brewery, tasting room and lunchroom under one roof."
The foundation Lodewijk van der Grinten Prize aims to stimulate entrepreneurship in the municipality of Venlo and put special and inspiring entrepreneurs in the spotlight. In addition, the foundation provides a stage for talented young Venlo professionals. The organisation works together with Ondernemend Venlo, MKB Noord-Limburg, LLTB Noord-Limburg and the municipality of Venlo. The presentation of both awards will take place on Tuesday 10 December 2024 in Theatre De Maaspoort in Venlo.
