A new name, a new venue and a programme to die for: that’s what NEXT 2026 looks like. On Wednesday 4 November 2026, Bechtle and ARP are organising the annual inspirational event for organisations wishing to look ahead to the trends shaping IT today and tomorrow. Previously known as Bechtle NEXT, from 2026 onwards we’ll be continuing as NEXT. What remains unchanged is our focus on inspiration, substance and connection.
At NEXT, we’ll be exploring IT in flux from four perspectives: technology, organisation, people and society. Featuring keynote speeches by Mark Tuitert, Olympic champion, entrepreneur and bestselling author; Kees Verhoeven, former Member of the House of Representatives and expert in digital sovereignty; and Ben van der Burg, tech entrepreneur, trend watcher and host of *De Technoloog*. Will you be there?
Practical information.
- Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026
- Time: 12:00
- Expected end time: 18:00
- Location: Noordkade (room: Koekbouw) in Veghel
- For whom: IT professionals
- Hosts: Tom Jessen and Gijs van der Putten
Will we see you on 4 November? If so, you’ll get answers to these questions:
- As an (IT) organisation, how do you remain agile when everything around us is changing so rapidly?
- Which technological developments are having a real impact on your organisation?
- How do you make informed choices regarding data sovereignty, governance and digital autonomy?
- What does AI demand of IT departments, processes and people?
- How are other organisations dealing with the increasing pressure on IT?
- What mindset helps to turn change into progress?
Whether you’re working on digital transformation, security, governance, adoption or a future-proof IT strategy, NEXT will give you fresh perspectives that will help you take a closer look at your own organisation.
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Program.
We’ll kick off NEXT 2026 with a group lunch. It’ll be a relaxed opportunity to arrive, get to know one another and start chatting with colleagues, experts and representatives from other organisations.
Tom and Gijs will kick off the day and introduce you to the theme of NEXT 2026: IT on the move. What does that mean for organisations? And from what perspectives are we looking at change today?
We’ll be kicking off the main programme with Mark Tuitert. Drawing on his experience as an Olympic champion, entrepreneur and author, he’ll show us how to deal with change, uncertainty and setbacks. His keynote speech will set the tone for the day. Progress requires not only technology, but also people who dare to move with the times.
Technology is advancing at an ever-faster pace. At the same time, geopolitics, regulation, AI and digital dependencies are having an increasing impact on organisations. Kees explains why digital sovereignty and governance are not merely technical issues, but require strategic decisions.
Tom and Gijs summarise the key insights from the first part and link them to the rest of the programme.
Time to catch up, share experiences and make new contacts.
Inspiration only becomes valuable when you can put it into practice. In this section, our clients* will be discussing current IT challenges with one another and with the audience. Topics include digital transformation, cyber security, business continuity, international collaboration, AI and the increasing pressure on IT departments.
* Which clients exactly will be speaking? We’ll announce that later. Stay tuned!
We round off the main programme with Ben van der Burg. With his energy, optimism and sharp insight into technology, he weaves together today’s developments into a narrative about tomorrow. From AI and digitalisation to new business models: Ben shows how organisations can turn technological change into opportunities.
Tom and Gijs round off the programme with the key takeaways from the day. What have you learnt? Which questions are still on your mind? And what’s your next step?
After the programme, we look forward to continuing the discussion over drinks. It’s the perfect opportunity to exchange ideas with speakers, experts, colleagues and other organisations.
Why you won’t want to miss NEXT 2026.
- Look forward to compelling keynote speeches from Mark Tuitert, Kees Verhoeven and Ben van der Burg, as well as the latest insights into technology, AI, data sovereignty, governance and agility;
- Learn from one another through customer stories and practical lessons on IT under pressure, and have valuable discussions with experts, peers and other organisations;
- The event will take place at a new industrial venue that perfectly suits the theme of ‘IT in motion’.
The previous edition was rated an average of 8.8 by visitors. Here are a few of their comments about the event:
The keynote speech and the humour woven into it really make you stop and think. The selection of speakers from a range of organisations also encourages you to look at certain issues within your own organisation from a different perspective.
Visitor to the 2025 edition
What I found most valuable were the insights into how other organisations tackle IT issues and the contacts I made during the networking drinks reception. I had some really interesting conversations.
Visitor to the 2025 edition
Line-up: meet our speakers.
Mark Tuitert.
Mark Tuitert will open NEXT with an inspiring keynote speech on mindset, change and personal leadership. Drawing on his experience in elite sport, he will show how to deal successfully with uncertainty and setbacks. His story touches on the human side of IT in motion: for however much technology may enable, ultimately it is people who must drive change.
Kees Verhoeven.
Kees Verhoeven helps organisations to look beyond technology alone. As a former Member of the House of Representatives, entrepreneur and expert in the field of digitalisation and digital sovereignty, he links technological developments to policy, strategy and societal impact. At NEXT, he will demonstrate the strategic choices organisations need to make today for tomorrow.
Ben van der Burg.
Ben van der Burg rounds off NEXT with an energetic talk on technological change. As a tech entrepreneur, trend watcher and co-host of *De Technoloog*, he closely follows developments such as AI, digitalisation and new business models. He demonstrates how organisations can remain relevant in a world that is constantly changing.
The hosts: Tom Jessen and Gijs van der Putten.
There are plenty of new features this year (the name, the venue and the setting), but one thing remains familiar. Tom Jessen and Gijs van der Putten are once again NEXT’s regular presenting duo this year. With their energy, content and interaction, they provide a recognisable thread running through the day. Tom chairs the event, whilst Gijs engages with the audience and takes questions from the floor.
New: NEXT 2026 on the Noordkade in Veghel.
This year, NEXT will take place in a new setting: the Noordkade in Veghel. A distinctive, industrial venue where history and innovation come together. Thanks to the venue’s industrial character, modern lighting design, dynamic projections and recognisable NEXT branding, the venue becomes more than just a backdrop. It becomes part of the story: a place where technology, infrastructure and progress come together to drive change.
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