Every autumn, the Senior Managers of Ecsite's Full Member institutions meet for a two-day seminar to exchange views, make trends and discuss key developments in science engagement: this is the Directors Forum, a carefully orchestrated mix of strategic talks, peer learning, networking and local highlights.

Due to the pandemic, the 2020 edition of this forum will be online, hosted by Technopolis, the Flemish Science Centre in Mechelen, Belgium. Despite not being together in the same physical place, Directors and Senior Managers will feel welcomed and experience a stimulating online event, with opportunities to network, exchange and get inspired.

The forum will run from 13.00 to 18.00 CET on 29 October and on 30 October from 10.00 to 13.15 CET.

The programme

Keynote speaker Steven Van Belleghem will open the forum with an inspiring speech about the future of customer expectations in the event and entertainment industry. He will describe a positive and practical view on the digital world and the opportunities it brings to our industry. It sets the right tone for various parallel workshops, a panel discussion and plenty of networking & exchange moments that all address the topic of going online.

Browse the programme

Call for sponsors

We will have an exhibit hall and a session slot for event sponsors. We are offering a range of different packages to suit potential sponsors and exhibitors.
Note: the Gold sponsor packages are sold out but we're still welcoming exhibitors - contact us if interested!

Registration

The Forum is open to Directors and Senior Managers of Ecsite Full Member institutions.
Registrations ended on 25 October.

The theme: It's ONline

The current Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated the already ongoing digital evolution and it forces us to move ahead faster than we could have anticipated. In this year's Directors Forum, Directors and Senior Managers are invited to reflect on the challenges and opportunities brought by the digital prevalence. How can science engagement organisations benefit from digital experiences, and how to monetise online activities? How to balance digital and physical offers, and how to provide the relevant training to staff? What are the new relationships with formal education, now and beyond the pandemic? These are strategic issues with an effect on our daily activities and long-term prospectives.
Technopolis considers the organisation of Ecsite’s online Directors Forum a way of showing the world Technopolis is ready to embrace the opportunities arising from new technologies and to lead the way. It’s on!