What can you expect?
An interactive afternoon focused on sharing experiences. Through presentations and interactive group sessions, you will compare your own practices with those of your colleagues. When did we jump on a new trend at the right time, and how did we do it? When did we miss the boat, and what were the consequences? It’s these honest stories — the successes and the failures — that are the most valuable.
Looking ahead involves looking back and creatively anticipating what’s to come. With this mindset, we will explore together what the future means for your offerings, audience, and business model ten years from now. You will leave with new insights, a few concrete ideas, and several new contacts from the sector.
In summary, during this meet-up you will explore:
- how to systematically keep track of digital trends and signals without letting it take over your daily work;
- what the emergence of a new, digitally-raised generation of visitors means for your organization;
- how peer organizations are preparing for the long term — and what you can learn from them.
Program
The full program for this edition will be announced soon. The structure is familiar: an afternoon with substantive presentations, interactive formats where you share your experiences in small groups, and plenty of opportunities to meet each other. Sign up, and we’ll keep you informed as soon as the program and speakers are announced.
What is exploring the future?
Exploring the future is the systematic tracking of trends and signals and translating them into potential futures for your organization. You don’t predict the future but prepare for multiple scenarios — so you can make decisions today that will make you future-proof in ten years.
Prepare with in-depth knowledge
Want to get the most out of this Community Meet-up? Two weeks prior, on September 24, join the workshop Audience of the Future. In this workshop, you will delve deeper into the theory behind exploring the future and position your organization within DEN’s four future scenarios for cultural organizations in 2035. You will visualize what these scenarios mean for your offerings, audience, and business model: which future is most desirable, are you prepared for other outcomes, and what do you need to do today? The workshop is not mandatory for participation.
For whom?
For anyone in the cultural sector who wants to prepare their organization for the visitor of tomorrow: directors, managers, marketers, audience researchers, program makers, and digital professionals. You don’t need to be an expert in exploring the future — curiosity and a willingness to share your own experiences are enough.
With whom?
The DEN Community Meet-up is an initiative of DEN, the knowledge institute for culture & digital transformation. We bring together professionals from across the cultural sector to exchange knowledge and experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the DEN Community meet-up?Show explanationHide explanation
The DEN Community meet-up is a recurring, interactive gathering where professionals from the cultural sector meet and share practical experiences on digital transformation. Each edition has its own theme; this time it is exploring the future.
What will I do during this meet-up?Show explanationHide explanation
You will share your own experiences in presentations and small group sessions on tracking trends and preparing for the future, and you will learn from the approaches of other organizations. The emphasis is on exchange and interaction, not one-way communication.
Do I need to prepare?Show explanationHide explanation
Preparation is not required but can be helpful. If you attend the Audience of the Future workshop (September 24) two weeks prior, you will be able to engage more effectively during the meet-up.
Who is the meet-up for?Show explanationHide explanation
For anyone in the cultural sector who wants to prepare their organization for a new generation of visitors and long-term digital developments. No prior knowledge is required.
What does participation cost?Show explanationHide explanation
Participation is free. Registration is mandatory, as spots are limited.
Trainers
