After hosting four successful online events, the Young Vion Club organised a fifth and also the first live event on Thursday 15 September. Around 100 colleagues from the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium gathered together physically for the first time at event venue Louwman's Toyota World in Raamsdonksveer.

YVC live event programme
After the welcome address by Binne Visser (CHRO Vion) and Jan Huijbers (YVC board member and VOS Coach), the event kicked off at 2.00 pm. The afternoon was spent on a team-building activity with a large fun factor, namely building a chain reaction.

Colleagues split up into eight groups and set about building the chain reaction with each taking on a different role, for example, the Organiser, the Techie, the Creative Brain, the Communicator, the Caretaker or the Reporter. Each group spent 1.5 hours building a section of the chain reaction, which then had to connect with two other groups. This contributed to the common goal of building a contiguous chain reaction.

​Networking and focus on NetPositive
After building the chain reaction, colleagues were able to socialise over drinks. Ronald Lotgerink (CEO Vion) and Tjarda Klimp (CFO Vion) then arrived at the event venue to welcome everyone and highlight the purpose of the YVC and NetPositive. NetPositive is an initiative whereby CEOs from the agricultural sector (including Albert Heijn and Rabobank) dine and engage in discussions with young people from their organisations on how they see the future of the food system.

Closing barbecue
The day ended with a barbecue including Vion meat and plant-based alternatives from ME-AT the alternative.

Svenja Schnabel (VOS Manager BU Food Service): 'The YVC event was a unique opportunity to meet colleagues from other locations and exchange ideas. I can absolutely recommend it for looking beyond your own Business Unit!'

Mariska de Rooij (Product Manager Digital Chain BBC): 'It was great to physically meet so many young people from across Vion. This event showed that the younger generation is represented throughout the organisation. There was a lot of energy and enthusiasm going around and I hope everyone takes that back to their own locations.'

The YVC board is pleased with the many positive responses and looks forward to organising future events. See the pictures of the event below. 

Are you 35 years old or younger and would you like to join the Young Vion Club? Register here!