Timetable
On the weekend of September 18-20, we welcome all Belgian JCI members to Genk. Centered around the former Winterslag coal mine (C-mine), this convention offers an authentic, industrial setting for a full weekend of business insights and local experiences, divided into distinct, specialized tracks.
Friday
Kick-off & Networking
12:00 – 19:00 | BSGA Golf @ Spiegelven
Head over to the pristine 18-hole course at Spiegelven Golf Club to hit the greens with the Belgian Senate Golf Association. Whether you are competing or just enjoying the wooded Genk landscape, this afternoon provides top-tier sportsmanship and networking.
Address: Spiegelven Golfclub, Wiemesmeerstraat 109, 3600 Genk
This activity is not included in your NCN ticket, more info soon.
19:15 - 00:00 | GAP @ M-Hotel Genk
Get Acquainted Party: Officially launch your NCN Genk experience by mingling with early arrivals at the beautiful M-Hotel overlooking the Molenvijver park. Enjoy relaxed drinks, great music, and the perfect atmosphere to reconnect with JCI friends before Saturday's packed schedule.
Address: M-Hotel, Albert Remansstraat 1, 3600 Genk
Saturday morning
Assembly & Inspiration
C-Mine Barenzaal
Breakfast - Fuel up in the powerplant
Start your day inside the Barenzaal, the mine's former power plant hall featuring towering ceilings and authentic industrial brickwork. Grab a coffee, meet your peers, and get ready for a packed schedule.
C-Mine Theater
AV Belgium - Decide the future of JCI
Take a seat in the restored Theater, originally the mine's machine room, to vote on the national agenda. This is where active members debate and shape the concrete strategy for the coming year.
C-Mine The Club
Ruben Donné - 15,000 km Solo Across the Ocean
Hear the raw story of Ruben Donné, who sailed 15,000 kilometers across the Atlantic in a tiny 6.5-meter boat in just 60 days. He shares unfiltered lessons on extreme isolation, confronting nature, and raising funds for Multiple Sclerosis research.
Mathia Palaia - Scaling a mobility startup fast
Mathia Palaia explains the exact steps he took to build a fast-growing startup that provides private chauffeurs in clients' own cars. Learn the mechanics of scaling operations, securing solid B2B partnerships, and dominating a niche market.
Vanessa Morini - Scaling cleanrooms across borders
Vanessa Morini built TRU Global Solutions into an international player with over 70 employees cleaning high-tech cleanrooms. She shares the hard facts on expanding into the US and leading as a female founder in industrial chemistry.
Peppe - Authentic Sicilian flavors and hospitality
Listen to Genk's most famous TV chef and owner of La Botte as he talks about building a rock-solid culinary brand. He explains how to honor family traditions while running high-end, award-winning restaurants in a highly competitive market.
C-Mine Vergaderzaal 1+2
Kristof Beckers (Ventureleap) - Outsourcing finance to accelerate growth
Kristof Beckers handles the financial administration and CFO duties for fast-growing scale-ups. He will show you the exact financial metrics and managed finance strategies you need to make your company ready for an acquisition.
Laurence Schurmann - Using joy as your compass
Step away from the spreadsheets and discover a practical approach to maintaining personal well-being under high stress. Laurence Schurmann provides concrete tools in French to anchor your career choices around joy rather than just obligation.
External visits + expedition
Port of Limburg + Essers - Inside a massive logistics hub
Put on a hard hat for an exclusive look at the massive Port of Limburg and H. Essers developments. You will see firsthand how millions of euros are invested to turn this area into the strategic logistical gateway.
C-mine expedition - Explore underground tunnels and pit-towers
Descend into the rich history of the Winterslag coal mine with an adventurous tour of the underground tunnels. You will literally climb the 60-meter-high pit tower for a panoramic view of the entire Genk region.
Saturday lunch
The culinary experience
Start at C-Mine
Vollebak Vennestraat - Taste Genk's famous culinary street
We bring the famous Vennestraat, Genk's ultimate street of senses, right to the C-mine plaza. Eat your way through four distinct food stops at Ali Baba, La Pena, Wijn Robijn and Sien Pralien.
Ali Baba Authentic Turkish and Mediterranean Bites Taste vibrant, handmade Mediterranean specialties from Genk's beloved Ali Baba. These fresh dishes perfectly capture the multicultural heritage of the mining region.
La Pena Traditional Spanish Tapas and Flavors Enjoy authentic, freshly prepared Spanish tapas bursting with bold, Southern European flavors. La Pena's vibrant culinary style instantly transports you straight to Andalusia.
Wijn Robijn Expertly Curated Wine Tasting Elevate your meal with a premium wine and some arrosticini barbecue.
Sien Pralien Handmade Pralines (with a coffee) Finish your lunch with fresh coffee and exquisite, handcrafted artisanal chocolates. Every praline perfectly combines high-quality cocoa with unique, locally inspired flavor profiles.
Lunch JCI Senate
Exclusive networking for JCI senators
We host a dedicated lunch experience specifically organized for our honored JCI Senators. Connect with senior members and share lasting memories in an exclusive, relaxed setting away from the main crowds.
Saturday afternoon
Strategy & experiences
Our entirely English-spoken afternoon track in the Theater focuses on "Change Management in times of AI". Our keynotes address the hard facts behind shifting markets, why companies must adapt, their specific strategies, and how to keep employees motivated.
C-Mine Theater
Keynote 1: Peter Croonen - Managing pressure in pro sports
The CEO of KRC Genk football club and investor in companies like Bioracer knows exactly how to handle high stakes and heavy public scrutiny. He will explain his specific strategy to build resilience and keep his teams performing when facing immense pressure.
Keynote 2: Katleen Vandersmissen - Venture capital in life sciences
With a PhD in Chemistry and 7 years heading Health & Care at LRM, Katleen now runs the venture capital fund HERAN Partners. She breaks down the hard numbers behind final investment decisions and what it really takes to scale up a life science startup today.
Keynote 3: Johan Thijs - Aligning thousands behind one vision
The Group CEO of KBC shares his exact method for managing a massive corporate shift driven by AI and efficiency demands. You will learn how he successfully motivates thousands of employees to embrace his long-term strategic plans.
Panel - Unfiltered conversations
Join moderator Jasper Olaerts at the bar with our three keynote speakers. This is your chance to ask direct questions about handling corporate change, employee engagement, and daily leadership struggles.
C-Mine Vergaderzaal 1+2
Pauline Zuberbuhler - Build a rock-solid communication plan
The Communication Director for JCI Belgium 2026 hosts a hands-on, French-language workshop. You will walk out with a concrete, actionable communication strategy ready to implement in your own business or local chapter.
External visit
Art and nature at Labiomista
Leave the venue to explore the 24-hectare park of artist Koen Vanmechelen, built on the grounds of a former coal mine and zoo. You will walk through an evolving open-air studio where contemporary architecture, biocultural diversity, and live animals intersect.
Saturday evening
Celebration
C-Mine Barenzaal
Dine and dance in the mine
End the night back in the Barenzaal, surrounded by the mine's preserved industrial architecture and warm mood lighting. Celebrate a day of hard work with hundreds of other young professionals, dinner, premium drinks, and music.
Sunday
Wind down & recreation