Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam played host to a spirited night of brewers, beers and brands at the 7th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event. Showcasing 16 of the best microbreweries in the Netherlands, the Indie Brands Brewery Special featured an inspiring evening of fascinating talks and exquisite beer tastings. With more than 243 independent breweries emerging over the last 10 years, craft beer making is rapidly becoming a Dutch phenomenon. While the market remains relatively small (roughly 5%) compared to other countries (15% in the US), microbrewers in the Netherlands are optimistic that there is ample room for growth.
Indie BRANDS Event | Indie Brands on Wheels
Bicycle fever struck Pakhuis de Zwijger* Amsterdam during the 6th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event (28 March 2014). Bringing together an exceptional corps of bike makers, entrepreneurs, and enthusiasts to the bicycle capital of the world, Indie Brands on Wheels featured an extraordinary night of compelling talks, independent brands and their highly coveted products. The evening’s festivities rightly honored the Netherlands’ most beloved mode of transportation: the bicycle.
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Indie BRANDS x phillipqgangan: Professional Rebel Q&A
Innovation is an act of rebellion. Indeed, every new concept, service or system is essentially a departure from the way things were. Since no breakthroughs have ever resulted from sameness and routine, defying the old is the only way to begin anew. For innovation catalysts Linda Vermaat and Melissa Marijnen, only a rebel is brave enough to spark a revolution.
Recognizing the need to challenge the status quo in a rapidly changing world, the pair founded Professional Rebel in May 2012. Together with Meret Muntinga and Max Verloop, the team regularly organizes bike tours, programmes and events that inspire individuals to become rebels themselves. Convinced that independent brands are in fact rebels of their own revolutions, the agency has teamed up with Indie Brands for a very special startup tour.
Professional Rebel co-founder Linda Vermaat tells us more:
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Indie BRANDS On Wheels
On 28 March 2014, Indie BRANDS presents the 6th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger* (Amsterdam). Featuring a night of compelling talks, independent brands and their highly coveted products, the evening’s festivities honours the Netherlands’ most beloved mode of transportation: the bicycle.
What was once considered a cheap and primitive way to get around has been (re)elevated into a symbol of freedom, creativity and regard for the environment. As a result, Indie Brands On Wheels brings together a bevy of bike makers, brands and enthusiasts –from bicycle magazines and accessories to bikes made from bamboo, wood and recycled materials– to talk shop, share their ideas and inspire us with their stories. With more than a million bicycles sold in the Netherlands each year, these ambitious entrepreneurs have set themselves apart from the rest of the competition and are more than willing to show us how to do the same. ✌
Friday, 28 March 2014
17:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets: 15 Euros
☞ For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 4th Indie BRANDS Event, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 6th Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
Indie BRANDS Event | Food
It was another full house at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam during the 5th edition of the Indie Brands Event (9 December 2013). In anticipation of its 2nd year anniversary, Indie Brands celebrated in style by hosting a truly memorable gathering entirely dedicated to food and beverage. Featuring a feast of fascinating talks, food tastings and food-centric enterprises, the evening’s festivities highlighted the victories, trials and tribulations of the Dutch indie food scene.
Politics in Play
The relationship between food and business is a bond that has spanned countless of centuries. Over the past few years, the Netherlands has slowly developed a budding food movement –from new restaurant concepts and food trucks to craft beer brewers, slavery-free chocolate and vegetal ice cream– that fervently champions the principles of sustainability, fair trade and local sourcing. Be that as it may, it appears that the current regulations of the Dutch food industry have been less than conducive for small business growth.
Indie BRANDS | Food
In anticipation of its 2nd year anniversary, Indie BRANDS presents the 5th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger* (Amsterdam) on 9 December 2013. What better way to celebrate this momentous occasion than a special event entirely dedicated to food and drinks? Featuring a feast of inspirational talks, independent brands and their delectable bites, the evening’s festivities offer a spread of food-related enterprises to tantalize your tastebuds.
In the highly competitive (not to mention strictly regulated) world of food and beverages, indie brands —from revolutionary beer to slavery-free chocolate or even vegetable ice cream— are making their mark by cooking up a storm and taking chances. Riding the wave of foodie trends such as organic farming and local sourcing, these epicurean businesses may well have found their recipes for success. Giving us a taste of what their brands have to offer, the inspiring entrepreneurs behind these tasty treats share their precious wisdom and personal experiences on how to start a business. ✌
Wednesday, 9 December 2013
16:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets: 17.50 Euros
☞ For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 4th Indie BRANDS Event, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 5th Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
Indie BRANDS Event | Funding, Trends and Authenticity
Independent brands meant business at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam during the 4th edition of the Indie Brands Event (30 May 2013). Traditionally a night of inspiring talks and panel discussions on all things indie, the evening’s festivities took on a more serious tone, turning its attention towards the business side of brands. While much of the previous discussions centered on products and branding, practical themes such as access to funding, rising trends and the preservation of authenticity were thoroughly explored during the course of the event.
Playing to the Crowd
Due to their inherent nature, indie brands are quite adept in finding creative ways to start a business. At a time when capital is proving difficult to come by, these savvy entrepreneurs have turned to alternative methods of funding, oftentimes directly soliciting the customers themselves. As a matter of fact, the social phenomenon of crowdfunding has been responsible for the viability of hundreds of start-ups, innovations and even creative projects such as books and films over the last few years. Nevertheless, the potential gains from this platform should never be overestimated.
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Indie BRANDS | Funding, Trends & Authenticity
On 30 May 2013, Indie BRANDS presents the 4th edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam. Featuring a night of captivating talks, independent brands and their must-have products, the evening’s festivities centers on matters concerning funding, trends and authenticity.
While financial volatility has rigidly defined the global economy, independent brands —from bamboo-frame bicycles to consumer-distributed magazines and “future-friendly” accessories— have consistently defied the odds by developing innovative, socially-oriented business models through the use of alternative funding. Due in part to their remarkable success, these brands are being largely imitated (never duplicated) by big business, sparking a contentious debate on authenticity. In effect, Indie Brands proudly brings to the stage the true originators of the independent movement to discuss au courant trends and what exactly makes a brand truly indie. ✌
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
20:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets:10 Euros
☞ For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 4th Indie BRANDS Event, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 4th Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
Indie BRANDS Event | Creativity, Competition and Entrepreneurship
It was standing room only at Pakhuis de Zwijger*, Amsterdam during the 3rd edition of the Indie Brands Event (22 February 2013). In celebration of its 1-year anniversary, Indie Brands –a book written by Dutch author Anneloes van Gaalen, featuring 30 independent brands and their inspiring narratives– convened yet another night of fascinating talks, interviews and panel discussions, putting a spotlight on creative entrepreneurship, branding and competition. Despite the event’s predetermined theme, the evening’s conversations centered on a much larger issue: the truth.
“Indie brands are the frontrunners of truth,” declared John Weich, creative director of Monumental Propaganda. The writer and storyteller is convinced that communication is essential to independent brands, enabling them to enhance their products by conveying what is true. “There are two things you can do when starting an indie brand,” he said. “Find the truth and tell it. Or create a myth and sell it.” Though compelling stories have a way of captivating audiences, revealing the entire truth may not be in a brand’s best interest, particularly during the early stages of development. The strategic alternative is truth with a slant.
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Indie BRANDS | Creativity, Competition and Entrepreneurship
In celebration of its 1 year anniversary, Indie BRANDS presents its highly anticipated 3rd edition of the Indie BRANDS Event at Pakhuis de Zwijger* (Amsterdam) on 20 February 2013. Featuring a night of captivating talks, independent brands and their tantalizing products, the evening’s festivities put a spotlight on creative entrepreneurship, ingenuity and innovation.
Due to their inherent nature, indie brands —from revolutionary bier to hi-tech woodwork and sustainable footwear— have challenged the construct of a traditional business, combining creative entrepreneurship with modern branding savvy. The inspiring individuals behind these heroic companies share their unique experiences and advice on how to take matters into your own hands. ✌
Wednesday, 20 February 2013
20:00-22:00
Pakhuis de Zwijger, Amsterdam
Tickets:10 Euros
☞ For more information on Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 3rd Indie BRANDS Event, visit the websites below:
Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and the 3rd Indie BRANDS Event
Follow Indie BRANDS, Anneloes van Gaalen and phillipqgangan on Twitter: @IndieBrands, @Anneloesvgaalen and @phillipqgangan
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