Blue Connect 2025 | Blue Ocean vzw

✨ What an incredible way to kick off the week! 🚀 Two weeks ago, we wrapped up the 2nd edition of Blue Connect, our inclusive networking event, and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome.

This year, we hosted 20 roundtable discussions with industry professionals, diving deeper into the topics from our inspiring panelists (Paul Van den Bulck, Gökşen Çalışkan, and Jason-Louise Graham (She/Her)). We explored how soft skills are vital to leadership and how to apply them effectively in everyday life.

Key discussion points included:

- How having an ally and mentor can boost your career.

- Challenging stereotypes like the idea that male leaders lack emotional intelligence.

- Turning soft skills into a career advantage in a world that prioritizes experience.

- Diversity in leadership and why it’s still lacking.

- The concept that “the brain is not ready to see the first, but is ready to see the next” – growth happens when we challenge the status quo.

We closed with a powerful keynote by Sergio Panday, Co-Founder of Roots Inspire, on breaking the vicious cycle, followed by an unforgettable afterparty with informal networking. 💬✨

We’re excited to share the aftermovie 🎥, which captures all the great moments, from insightful discussions to new connections and the fun we had in the afterparty.

A huge thank you to our hosts, panelists, and our sponsor, Nexios IT (supporting us since our first edition) – this event wouldn’t have been the same without you. 🙏 Your belief in our mission shows that with the right support, anything can succeed.

We're also proud to have provided a platform for local businesses to showcase themselves. At Blue Ocean, we believe in inclusivity, social mobility, and celebrating diversity. 💙

As we reflect on this event’s success, we’re already looking ahead to future collaborations. If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor or partner, let’s connect! 🤝