16-17 June, 2026
Limburg, Netherlands

The Top7 Communities of 2026 will be announced in Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands – a 2025 Smart21 Community and leader in technology and business innovation. With a population of just over 1,100,000 people, the Province of Limburg has developed an "ecosystem of ecosystems" to drive sustainable growth under the "Brightlands" brand: a place where innovation has no limits. The Top7 Conference is produced in collaboration with the Province of Limburg and Brightlands-Limburg.

The heart of Brightlands Limburg are its four innovation campuses: Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus, Brightlands Chemelot Campus, and Brightlands Smart Services Campus. At these campuses, 32,000 entrepreneurs, researchers and students work on breakthroughs in sustainability, health, nutrition and digitalization every day. These innovations are valued not just on commmercial viability but on their social contribution. And the campuses continue to expand - there is always room for talent at every level, whether in the form of jobs, education or entrepreneurship. 

Registration is open! Click here to register.

 

 

Conference Theme: Circular Living, Building Sustainable Communities Through Innovation and Local Impact

What does circularity truly mean for the people, employers, and institutions of a city or region? It is more than recycling or resource efficiency. It represents a complete rethinking of how we live, work, and grow together.

In a circular community, waste is no longer the end of a process but the beginning of a new one. Materials, ideas, and energy flow continuously through systems designed to regenerate rather than deplete. This creates opportunities for entrepreneurs and established industries alike to drive innovation, develop new business models, and strengthen local economies through collaboration and creativity.

Circular living transforms communities into engines of resilience. It revitalizes city centers and residential areas as new businesses and new residents converge to seize opportunities born from sustainable design and local ingenuity. It empowers knowledge workers to invent and apply solutions that balance prosperity with stewardship—turning environmental responsibility into competitive advantage.

For residents, circularity means living in neighborhoods that are cleaner, greener, and more connected. For employers, it means attracting and retaining talent who want to build meaningful careers in places that reflect their values. For local leaders, it means forging partnerships that make sustainability profitable and innovation practical.

Ultimately, circular living builds more than sustainable economies. It builds vibrant, inclusive communities. It creates a circle of prosperity, where environmental health, economic growth, and social cohesion reinforce one another. It’s a vision of a world in which innovation fuels opportunity, opportunity sustains community, and community nurtures a better place to work, live, and raise the next generation.

Featured Speakers:

Governor Emile Roemer King's Commissioner, Province of Limburg, Netherlands	Stephan Satijn Member of the Provincial Executive, Province of Limburg, Netherlands	Elaine Baxter-Trahair Chief Administrative Officer, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada	Mike McCann Mayor City of Defiance (Ohio, United States)	José Guillén Parra First Deputy Mayor for Urban Development and Smart City (Murcia, Spain)
Astrid Boeijen CEO, Brightlands Chemelot Campus (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Christine Coch CEO, Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Walter Pijls CEO, Brightlands Smart Services Campus (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Ingrid Vermeer CEO, Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Prof. dr. Pamela Habibović President Maastricht University (Netherlands)
Alessandro Fazio Head of Competence Centre on Technology Transfer, European Commission (Belgium)	Jaime Santamarta Councilor for Environmental, Urban Services, Smart City & Transport (Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain)	Shu-ya Hsieh Deputy Magistrate, Yunlin County (Taiwan)	Bob Ferguson Councilor City of Fairfield, (Iowa, United States)	Katarzyna (Kat) Sliwa, Partner and Leader of the Municipal Planning, Land Use and Development Law Group, Dentons (Canada)
Peter Portheine Director, Eindhoven International Project Office (Eindhoven, Netherlands)	Jennifer Hardy-Parr Senior Advisor of Grant Development & Special Projects, Northumberland County (Ontario, Canada)	Kris Baxter-Ging Communication and Marketing Director, City of Tempe (Arizona, United States)	Agustin Argelich President & Principal Argelich Networks (Barcelona, Spain)	Doug McCollough  Executive Director, The Beta District (Dublin, Ohio, United States)
Anton Nikitin Chief Sustainability Officer City of Vilnius, Lithuania	Shyam Khandekar Co-founder, Director and Editorial Director, MyLiveableCity (Netherlands & India)	Duane Powell CIO City of Hilliard (Ohio, United States)	Kelly Rowe, PHD Fellow, Urban Innovation, Canadian Urban Institute; Partner, City Action Lab (Canada & Spain)	Rob McCann President Hamilton Technology Centre (Hamilton, Ontario, Canada)
Lia Voermans Chair of Brightlands Circular Space Steering Committee (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Leon Klinkers City Maker, Citylabs Sittard Geleen (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Dave Beijer Managing Director & CEO, CHILL  (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Hans Plets Chair, Einstein Telescope Administrative Task Force (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Daniel Fusca Manager and Public Consultation, City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lecturer, University of Toronto (Canada)
Tamlyn Shimizu Head of Markets & Partnerships, Global; Senior Communications Expert, BABLE Smart Cities (Germany)	Nahom Abegaze Director, Maharishi International University (Fairfield, Iowa, United States)	Amanda Hobin,  Policy Advisor, Community Relations, Communications and Engagement Division, Durham Region (Canada)	Ron Coenen Chairman, Limburg Employers Association (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)	Robbert Koldenhof Director & Manager, LIOF (Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands)

Agenda

15 June (Monday) - VIP Extended Delegation Only

• Site Visits to Maastricht Facilities and Companies
• Meetings with Startups in the Brightlands-Limburg Ecosystem

16 June (Tuesday) - Conference Day - Chemelot Campus

For International Registrants staying at the Maastricht hotel, the bus will depart at 8:00am. Local Registrants and those not staying at the Maastricht hotel can head directly to the Chemelot Campus.

8:30 - Registration Opens

9:15 to 9:30 - Welcome Address

Speakers include:

• Astrid Boeijen, CEO, Brightlands Chemelot Campus
• Lou Zacharilla, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum

   

 

9:30 to 9:45 - Keynote Address: What is the Brightlands Concept?

Presented by Stephan Satijn, Member of the Provincial Executive (Economy, Finance, Defence and Einstein Telescope), Province of Limburg.

9:45 to 10:45 - Panel: The Power of Regional Ecosystems: How to make the Triple Helix Work

Strong regional ecosystems are built on effective collaboration between government, industry, and academia. But making the Triple Helix work in practice is often the challenge. This panel will explore how leading communities align these stakeholders around shared economic and innovation goals, turning strategy into action. Speakers will share real-world examples of successful partnerships that drive talent development, business growth, and investment attraction. The discussion will also address common barriers, such as silos, misaligned incentives, and governance changes, and how to overcome them.

Speakers include:

• Elaine Baxter-Trahair, Chief Administrative Officer, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada (2025 Intelligent Community of the Year)
• Alessandro Fazio, Head of Competence Centre on Technology Transfer at European Commission
• Prof. dr. Pamela Habibović, President, Maastricht University
• Stephan Satijn, Member of the Provincial Executive (Economy, Finance, Defence and Einstein Telescope), Province of Limburg
• Lou Zacharilla, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum (Moderator)
• Additional speakers to be announced soon

                 

 

10:45 - Coffee and Networking Break

 

About the Breakout Sessions

At two time slots during the day on June 16, we will have breakout sessions taking place. During each time slot, attendees will have the opportunity to attend one of five options:

1. Brightlands Circular Space, which will focus on circularity at the local level and developing collaborative spaces for change.
2. Citylabs, which will focus testing innovations in local communities and best practices in citizen engagement.
3. CHILL, which will focus on workforce development and educational changes to the adapting needs of the private sector.
4. Innovation Ecosystem Tour, which will include meetings with three start-up companies within the Brightlands ecosystem.
5. The Brightlands Chemelot Tour, which will feature a bus tour exploring the innovation campus and learning about its development.

Options 1, 2, and 3 will include panel discussions as part of the breakout sessions. The morning and afternoon panel discussions will be different, so attendees are recommended to review the content for each time slot before deciding which to attend.

 

11:15 - Breakout Sessions

• Breakout 1: Brightlands Circular Space
  • Presentation and Tour of Brightlands Circular Space
    • Lia Voermans, Chair of Brightlands Circular Space Steering Committee

• • Panel: Circularity at the Local and Regional Level: As communities face increasing pressure to reduce waste and use resources more efficiently, circular economy strategies are becoming essential at the local and regional level. This panel will explore how governments, businesses, and institutions are working together to design systems that minimize waste, extend product lifecycles, and create new value from existing materials. Speakers will share practical examples of circular initiatives, from recycling and reuse programs to sustainable procurement and industrial symbiosis, and will also address policy, behavioral change, and economic incentives needed to scale these efforts.
    • Shyam Khandekar, Co-founder, Director and Editorial Director, MyLiveableCity
    • Shu-ya Hsieh, Deputy Magistrate of Yunlin County, Taiwan (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Anton Nikitin, Chief Sustainability Officer, Vilnius, Lithuania
    • Danielle Twardy, Senior Researcher - Circular Economy, Zuyd University of Applied Sciences
    • Maurice Olivers, Public Relations Director, Brightlands Circular Space, Brightlands-Limburg, Netherlands (Moderator)

                  

 

• Breakout 2: CITYLABS
  
  • Presentation: Stadslabs Sittard Geleen
    • Leon Klinkers, City Maker, Citylabs Sittard Geleen

• • Panel: How to Test Innovations in Real Life: How can communities move beyond pilots and become true proving grounds for innovation? This panel explores how cities and regions can partner with companies to act as “CityLabs,” creating real-world environments to test and refine emerging technologies. Speakers will share practical models for becoming early adopters, balancing risk, legal and policy hurdles, procurement constraints, and public trust while accelerating innovation. The discussion will highlight how these collaborations can deliver better services for residents while helping companies bring more effective solutions to market. 
    • Speakers include:
      • Donna Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, Kingston Economic Development Corporation (Kingston, ON, Canada) (2026 Smart21 Community)
      • Duane Powell, CIO, City of Hilliard, Ohio, USA (2026 Smart21 Community)
      • Leon Klinkers, City Maker, Citylabs Sittard Geleen
      • Rob McCann, President, Hamilton Technology Centre (Ontario, Canada)
      • Marg Dwyer, Co-Chair, Southeast Iowa Sierra Club, USA (Moderator)

                    

• Breakout 3: CHILL
  • Presentation: CHILL - Empowering Tomorrow's Talent
    • Dave Beijer, Managing Director & CEO, CHILL 

• • Panel: Talent Beyond Borders: Building Ecosystems that Attract and Enable Global Minds: In today’s innovation economy, talent is no longer defined by geography. Communities must compete globally to attract and retain the people who drive growth. This panel explores how regions can create dynamic, inclusive ecosystems that naturally draw top talent, from entrepreneurs and researchers to skilled professionals across industries. Speakers will discuss how quality of life, career opportunities, innovation networks, and openness to new ideas combine to make a place truly attractive. The conversation will move beyond recruitment to focus on how communities can position themselves as destinations where talent chooses to live, work, and create.
    • Dave Beijer, Managing Director & CEO, CHILL
    • Paul Hölsgens, Project management CrossCircular, Network Coordinator, Euregio Maas-Rhein
    • José Guillén Parra, First Deputy Mayor for Urban Development and Smart City (Murcia, Spain) (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Juan Antonio Martínez Navarro, Professor of Computer Science Faculty of University of Murcia and Scientific leader of the Smart City Office (Murcia, Spain) (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Kelly Rowe, PHD, Fellow, Urban Innovation, Canadian Urban Institute (Moderator)

                    

• Breakout 4: Innovation Ecosystem Visit
  • Meetings and Tours with three startup companies: Vertoro, Avantium, and Coolbrook

 

• Breakout 5: Chemelot Tour
  • An overview tour of the Brightlands Chemelot Campus

 

13:00 - Lunch

 

14:00 - Breakout Sessions

• Breakout 1: Brightlands Circular Space 
  • Presentation and Tour of Brightlands Circular Space
    
    • Lia Voermans, Chair of Brightlands Circular Space Steering Committee

• • Panel: Creating Real life Collaboration Spaces to Accelerate Innovation and Adoption: Innovation happens faster when people, ideas, and technologies come together in the same place. This panel explores how communities can design and activate physical and hybrid collaboration spaces, such as innovation hubs, living labs, and testbeds, to bring stakeholders together and move ideas from concept to deployment. 
    • Doug McCollough, Executive Director, The Beta District (Dublin, Ohio, USA)
    • Nick Neokleous, MSc, Technology Development Lead, Reaction (RXN) HUB (Ontario, Canada)
    • Jaime Santamarta Martínez, City Councillor for Environmental, Urban Services, Smart City & Transport, Las Rozas de Madrid, Spain (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Lia Voermans, Chair of Brightlands Circular Space Steering Committee
    • Matthew Owen, Executive Director, Intelligent Community Forum

                    

• Breakout 2: CITYLABS
  
  • Presentation: Stadslabs Sittard Geleen
    • Leon Klinkers, City Maker, Citylabs Sittard Geleen

• • Panel: Citizen Centric Development: Thriving communities are built with people, not just for them. This panel explores how cities can place citizens at the center of development by creating meaningful opportunities for engagement, co-creation, and shared ownership of local initiatives. Speakers will highlight approaches that empower residents, entrepreneurs, institutions, and government to collaborate in shaping more inclusive, attractive, and sustainable places. 
    • Kris Baxter-Ging, Communication and Marketing Director, City of Tempe (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Daniel Fusca, Manager and Public Consultation, City of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Lecturer, University of Toronto
    • Leon Klinkers, City Maker, Citylabs Sittard Geleen
    • Ömer Yildiz, Smart City Expert - Electronics Engineer, PhD Bursa Metropolitan Municipality (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Katarzyna (Kat) Sliwa, Partner and Leader of the Municipal Planning, Land Use and Development Law Group, Dentons (Moderator)

                   

 

• Breakout 3: CHILL
  • Presentation: CHILL - Empowering Tomorrow's Talent
    • Dave Beijer, Managing Director & CEO, CHILL  

• • Panel: Creating the Workforce for an Evolving Future: How To Connect Academics and Applied Science: As technology and innovation reshape industries at an accelerating pace, communities must rethink how they prepare their workforce for what’s next. This panel will explore how training organizations, universities, and employers are working together to stay aligned with rapidly evolving skill needs. Speakers will share how curricula, reskilling programs, and industry partnerships are adapting to close talent gaps and create more agile career pathways. Speakers include: 
    • Nahom Abegaze, Director, Maharishi Intl. Univ., Fairfield, Iowa, USA (2026 Smart21 Community)
    • Dave Beijer, Managing Director & CEO, CHILL  
    • Iris Belle, International Master Programme Smart City Solutions, Stuttgart Technical University of Applied Sciences (Germany)
    • Ron Coenen, Chairman, Limburg Employers Association
    • Tamlyn Shimizu, Head of Markets & Partnerships, Global; Senior Communications Expert, BABLE Smart Cities (Germany) (Moderator)

                    

• Breakout 4: Innovation Ecosystem Visit
  • Meetings and Tours with three startup companies: Vertoro, Avantium, and Coolbrook

 

• Breakout 5: Chemelot Tour
  • An overview tour of the Brightlands Chemelot Campus

 

15:15 - Coffee and Networking Break

 

15:45 - Welcome Back

 

15:50 - Afternoon Keynote Address: The Non-Linear Path to Prosperity

Presented by Peter Portheine, Director, Eindhoven International Project Office

 

16:00 to 17:00 - Panel: Seeing the Opportunities in Disruption

Disruption, whether driven by technology, economic shifts, or global challenges, can unsettle communities. But it also creates new pathways for growth and transformation. This panel will explore how towns, cities, and regions can proactively identify and seize opportunities that emerge from periods of change. Speakers will share examples of communities that have turned disruption into catalysts for innovation, investment, and resilience. The discussion will highlight strategies for adaptive leadership, forward-looking policy, and cross-sector collaboration in uncertain times. 

Speakers include:

• Astrid Boeijen, CEO, Brightlands Chemelot Campus
• Jennifer Hardy-Parr, Senior Advisor of Grant Development & Special Projects, Northumberland County, Ontario, Canada (2026 Smart21 Community)
• John Jung, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum
• Robbert Koldenhof, Director & Manager, LIOF
• Sander Kleikers, Moderator

                   

17:00 to 18:00 - Borrel: Networking and Light Refreshments

At the end of the day, participants are invited to join for a Borrel, where light snacks and non-alcoholic drinks will be served, for a chance to reflect on the day and network with other participants. For International Registrants staying at the Maastricht hotel, they are to head to the bus at 18:00.

17 June (Wednesday) - Conference Day and Top7 Awards Luncheon - MECC Convention Center and Limburg Government Building

For International Registrants staying at the Maastricht hotel, the bus will depart at 8:15am. Local Registrants and those not staying at the Maastricht hotel can head directly to the MECC Convention Center.

8:30 - Registration Opens

9:00: Welcome Address

Speakers include:

• John Jung, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum

9:10 to 10:00 - Brightlands: An Ecosystem of Ecosystems

Discover how Brightlands brings together four dynamic campuses to power innovation across sectors. This interactive session will spotlight the unique strengths of each campus and showcase pioneering companies driving real-world impact. 

Speakers include:

• Astrid Boeijen, CEO, Brightlands Chemelot Campus
• Christine Coch, CEO, Brightlands Maastricht Health Campus
• Walter Pijls, CEO, Brightlands Smart Services Campus
• Ingrid Vermeer, CEO, Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo
• Shu-ya Hsieh, Deputy Magistrate of Yunlin County, Taiwan
• Rob McCann, President, Hamilton Technology Centre (Ontario, Canada)
• Katarzyna (Kat) Sliwa, Partner and Leader of the Municipal Planning, Land Use and Development Law Group, Dentons
• Mayor Mike McCann, City of Defiance, Ohio, United States (2026 Smart21 Community)
• Sander Kleikers, Moderator

               

              

 

10:00 to 11:00 - Coffee Break and Innovation Fair

Not your typical coffee break. Alongside refreshments, attendees will have the opportunity to explore a curated expo of innovative startups from the Brightlands ecosystem showcasing cutting-edge ideas and solutions. It’s a chance to connect, discover, and engage.

 

11:00 - Welcome Back

 

11:05 - Presentation: The Einstein Telescope

This session will explore the Einstein Telescope Project, a proposed next-generation underground observatory designed to detect gravitational waves and unlock new insights into the universe. Planned as a vast research infrastructure built deep below the surface, the telescope would offer unprecedented sensitivity, enabling scientists to study phenomena such as black hole collisions and the early universe. Also highlighted will be the Province of Limburg’s role in the international bid, and how hosting this landmark project could position the region at the forefront of global science, technology, and innovation. Presented by Hans Plets, Chair, Einstein Telescope Administrative Task Force.

 

11:20 - Panel: The Radiating Value of a Moonshot Project

Large-scale, visionary projects don’t just achieve scientific or technological breakthroughs. They transform the regions that host them. This panel explores how “moonshot” initiatives create ripple effects that drive innovation, attract investment, and stimulate new industries far beyond their original scope. Speakers will share how these projects catalyze talent attraction, supply chain development, and cross-sector collaboration. 

Speakers include:

• Agustin Argelich, President & Principal, Argelich Networks
• Huub Janssen, CEO, JPE
• Hans Plets, Chair, Einstein Telescope Administrative Task Force
• Kelly Rowe, PHD, Fellow, Urban Innovation, Canadian Urban Institute
• Stephan Satijn, Member of the Provincial Executive (Economy, Finance, Defence and Einstein Telescope), Province of Limburg
• John Jung, Co-Founder, Intelligent Community Forum (Moderator)

                      

 

12:15 - Closing

Registered guests will head to the Luncheon.

 

13:00 to 16:00 - Top7 Awards Luncheon at the Province of Limburg Building

This event is invitation-only.

18 June (Thursday) - Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo Program, Head to Eindhoven - Additional Registration Required

Venlo Campus Program

In the morning, depart from the Maastricht Hotel (VIP Extended Delegation Members will check out from the hotel) and head to the Brightlands Venlo Campus for a half day program on healthy nutrition, future farming, and biocircular economy. The program will consist of panel discussions and presentations, a site visit of the Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo, and lunch. This program requires additional registration.

• 07:45: Bus Departs Maastricht Hotel
  
  
• 09:00: Welcome
  
  
• 09:15 to 09:35 Opening Presentation from Ingrid Vermeer, CEO, Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo.

• 09:35 to 11:30: Brightlands Campus Greenport Venlo Tour

Includes stops at:

• Nick Bos Greenhouse
• NovaBite
• Kronos Vitale

 

• 11:30 to 12:00 - Coffee Break and Future Food Experience

 

• 12:00 to 12:15 - Durham Region's Rural Innovations

A look at how the 2025 Intelligent Community of the Year, Durham Region, has brought innovative solutions to its rural municipalities.

Presented by Amanda Hobin, Policy Advisor, Community Relations, Communications and Engagement Division, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada (2025 Intelligent Community of the Year)

 

• 12:15 to 13:00 - Panel Discussion: Innovation in Rural Communities

When people think of Smart Cities, they often picture large urban centers with dense populations and extensive infrastructure. But what does it mean to be an Intelligent Community when your region is rural? This panel will explore how smaller towns, rural regions, and agricultural communities are leveraging technology, collaboration, and innovation to improve quality of life, strengthen local economies, and deliver services more effectively.

Speakers include:

• Bob Ferguson, Councilor, City of Fairfield, Iowa, United States (2026 Smart21 Community)
• Mayor Mike McCann, City of Defiance, Ohio, United States (2026 Smart21 Community)
• Jimmy Wang, Project Lead, Institute for Information Industry, Taiwan
• Amanda Hobin, Policy Advisor, Community Relations, Communications and Engagement Division, Durham Region, Ontario, Canada (Moderator)

                     

 

 

• 13:00 to 14:00 - Lunch

 

• 14:00 - Bus Departs from Venlo Campus to Venlo Train Station. Those traveling by shuttle be dropped at the Venlo Train Station after the Campus Visit. VIP Extended Delegation Members will head to Eindhoven, and all others will head either back to Maastricht or on to their next destination.

Travel to Eindhoven - VIP Extended Delegation Only

The VIP Extended Delegation participants will travel by train to Eindhoven, check into their hotel, and go out to dinner in the city. This will be followed by a cultural dinner focused on artist Vincent van Gogh.

19 June (Friday) - Eindhoven Site Visits and Meetings - VIP Delegation Only

A day of site visits and meetings with Eindhoven companies and organizations. Eindhoven was the 2011 Intelligent Community of the Year.

Learn more about Brightlands-Limburg

Want to learn more about the region? Watch this sit-down interview produced by ICF with Mr. Stephan Satijn, Regional Minister for Economy, Finance & Business Operations, Province of Limburg: