Spaces to Connect - Jan Trendman

Introduction

During the EventSummit, trendwatcher Jan Trendman presented his vision on the future of connection within events and meetings. From Buro Jantrendman he follows social and cultural trends and translates them into concrete tools for brands, organisations and the event industry. His presentation Spaces to Connect is about one urgent question: How do we really want to connect today? Not only functional, but especially emotional and social.

A world full of connection, but little attention

We live in a paradoxical time. We are constantly connected, but rarely fully present. Our digital life increasingly demands mental space, while real attention and meeting are under pressure. Cultural strategist Eugene Healey sums it up sharply: We scroll not out of desire, but out of habit. Online environments feel unsafe, hostile or empty to many people. And that wrings. That tension leads to a growing desire for real encounters.

Loneliness as a societal challenge

The need for connection is closely linked to a growing sense of loneliness. This is happening in all levels of society and is now seen by the World Health Organisation as one of the biggest emerging health problems. Also search data show this: since the pandemic people are increasingly looking for places and ways to meet new people.

Connection is no longer a luxury, but a basic need.

The return of hampered spaces

Here we see the importance of social infrastructure. The sociologist Ray Oldenburg once introduced the concept third spaces: places that are not home and not work, but where people meet informally. Think of sports, creativity, food or shared interests. Just this kind of low-threshold human space becomes relevant again. They offer space for spontaneous encounter, without fixed roles or expectations.

Communities want to be offline

Recent studies by Design Hotels and Soon Futures show that communities are becoming increasingly important, especially as confidence in institutions is decreasing. Especially younger generations seek connection through shared values and experiences. Online communities increasingly translate into physical encounters. Brands play an active role in this: retail, catering and events are redesigned as social places. Think of the Hoka Corner Shop in London or coffee shops that function as new entertainment spots during the day. Connection becomes something you deliberately design.

Designs for feeling and senses

Colour, light, smell and touch play a key role in this. From the neuroaesthetics, we know more and more how sensory stimuli affect our stress level, creativity and openness. This scientific view on aesthetics fits perfectly with the trend kiddulting: Revalue playfulness and wonder. Not childish, but curious. Not superficial, but human.

Nature as a binding force

Also nature gets a new meaning within connection. Not just as a decor, but as an active participant. A nice example is the walking forest BOSK of Arcadia: a collective experience that literally moves people and connects them to something bigger than themselves. Nature invites to delay, attention and shared wonder.

From trend to design: three principles

In the second part of Spaces to Connect Jan Trendman translates these social movements into three concrete design principles.

1. Game of Play

Game lowers social thresholds and opens new perspectives. Game elements provide intuitive, emotional connection. A strong example is the Dutch contribution to the Venice Architecture Biennale, where Gabriel Fontana designed a Sports Bar as social architecture. Also initiatives such as Karma Kebab show how playfulness meets itself.

2. Sense of Joy

This principle pertains to color, senses and technology as an amplifier of human experience. Technology and AI are not seen here as distant, but as a tool to bring people closer to themselves. Think of the Dreamachine from the UNBOXED program, or the interactive Glossier Body installation in Paris, where spaces respond to visitors.

3. Being Human

The third principle focuses on nature, instinct and collectivity. In a world that is becoming more digital and abstract, the need for experiences that connect us to our body, our environment and each other grows.

Studio Drift translates natural patterns to impressive physical experiences and with technology makes the invisible visible. Their work evokes wonder and creates a shared sense of awe. An emotion that brings people closer together.

Foraging also plays an important role in this. Together gathering, preparing and eating food from nature strengthens the sense of connection to the earth and to each other. Initiatives from, among others, Visit Sweden show how foraging is used as social experience: people slow down, work together and share knowledge and stories.

Scientific research, as described in the book O by Dacher Keltner, shows that feelings of awe (often generated by nature and collective experiences) lead to more empathy and compassion. Connection with nature consequently also increases the connection between people.

Apply these trends to an event?

Contact Daisy! She likes to tell you more about the style and advise you on renting items for an event or experience. You can contact her directly via 015 3807515 or ask for more information on our website.

Dolce Vita on EventSummit 2026

Imagine. You walk through a summer Mediterranean village. The sun on your face, the smell of flowers in the sky. On the square, fresh espresso is served from a narrow bar and delicious cannolis. You're popping down for an old-fashioned company game. Dolce far niente. Sit down. Just a minute.

When you run out of espresso, you walk down a picturesque street. Fresh laundry blows over your head. You get to the church square — And that's where it happens. News, inspiration, conversations and cosiness. You meet like-minded people who take the time to actually see, taste, feel and smell each other. Exactly what live events are all about.

Our Dolce Vita square

Are you getting excited? We do! We believe in the power of live gathering and counting down to EventSummit 2026 for weeks. With a lot of fun we welcome you to our Dolce Vita square, this year bigger than ever.

What to expect from us

It's all about experience and inspiration. You will find a private speaker room with Jan Trendman, a photobooth in the ultimate holiday atmospheres, complete with oldschool Vespa, our latest rental materials, presented on an impressive XXL mill Everything breathes the Dolce Vita feeling: relaxing, stylish and inviting.

Inspiration by Jan Trendman

Jan Trendman has been a concept in trendwatching for years. During EventSummit he takes you into the theme ‘Third Spaces’.

Where back home, work and community center were fixed places to get together, that third place seems to disappear more and more while the need is greater than ever. Invisible loneliness remains a topical theme. Live encounters play a key role in this.
Where are these meetings now? And how can we create them ourselves?
A session that stimulates thinking and doing.

Jan gives his session twice: 11:00 and 13:30. You can now sign in via the EventSummit App!

Practical information

Walk in when it suits you. And take a look at our latest lookbook full of inspirational images and matching furniture within the Dolce Vita theme.

Are you gonna keep drinking?

Nice, us too! This year we also take care of the decoration of the drink square. In contrast to our yellow-lila Dolce Vita square, this square is quiet and balanced, with a zen & japandi atmosphere. The perfect place to close the day relaxed. We look forward to meeting you at EventSummit 2026.