Meet the Judges

Stephan Stokkermans is the Managing Director of Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin. Started in 1993 as Sales Manager at Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin and became the Managing Director of the family owned hotel 26 years later. Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin values the community of Noordwijk and that is why Stephan Stokkermans is also the chairman of the local Hospitality Association and a member of the local Entrepeneur Association (NOV).

Worldwide Stephan Stokkermans is a member of Preferred Hotels & Resorts advisory board, also the National Delegate for Belgium and the Netherlands of the European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) and a Board member of the Dutch chapter of SITE Global. In 2019 he received the Hotelier of the Year award from Preferred Hotels & Resorts

Willem van der Zee embodies innovative and personalised hospitality. Currently as Dir of Operations Pandox Belgium and as General Manager of The Hotel Brussels, he previously has helped numerous leading global hospitality, lifestyle, and travel companies streamline and optimize their vital business aspects like Operations Management, Asset Management, and People Management.

A pragmatic decision-maker, he puts passion and perseverance into the process to accomplish the set goals. He is a disruptive leader - driven by results, driven towards objectives, and driven with unflinching focus.

Vincent is a trend forecaster and partner at HBMEO, marketing agency for food & hospitality. He advises companies and governments on what we are going to eat, drink, and think in the future, as well as writing trend columns for various magazines.

Vincent has always been intrigued by hotels and wrote a book about his search for hospitality in 365 hotels in Amsterdam. He is currently researching the future of the industry by testing various innovations in the hotel room of the future, a living lab in the centre of Amsterdam.

Hospitality and innovation are the two key themes in Sander’s career which he spends in consultancy (Allegro INNovations) and in education (Hotelschool The Hague). A consultant on hospitality strategy and innovation, Sander has carried out strategic assignments for leading corporations. He also serves on various committees and boards, is a regular keynote speaker and is a columnist in the two leading Dutch hospitality magazines.

After my study at the Hotel Management School, I started my career in the organization and consultancy business for hospitality and specialized myself with legal study.

For now, I have been working for a long period at the branch organization Koninklijke Horeca Nederland (KHN) and in recent years as manager of our office in Amsterdam. From this office, we serve almost 2000 members with advice and organize and initiate platforms and theme meetings. I am also responsible for the local lobby for a favourable business environment.

As editor-in-chief of the hospitality platform Entree, Iris and her colleagues develop the online channels, the monthly magazine and the Entree Awards and the hotel industry is an important part of this. “I like entrepreneurs who surprise and offer consistent quality, despite the sometimes difficult circumstances and entrepreneurs with a good policy for employees.

The sector is bustling, and it is a privilege to be involved in this on a daily basis.” Iris likes to go to New York, Paris, and Antwerp to visit new establishments. She hopes that solo dining will break through in the Netherlands one day.

Charles van Goch is a well-known personality in the national and international hospitality industry, with over 30 years of experience. A born entrepreneur, he inspires others with his passion for hospitality. While studying at the Hotel Management School Maastricht, he founded his first company in 1994: the hospitality staffing agency Mise en Place. Today, he continues to be at the forefront of successful businesses and initiatives that drive innovation in the hospitality sector.

Through three modular programs – InTuition, InFlow, and InVision – Charles guides young talents and executives in their personal and professional development. He helps them release limitations, take responsibility, and craft a clear vision for their future. These programs combine impactful empowerment techniques such as ice baths, firewalking, and breathwork with an inspiring setting and personalized coaching.

Charles actively connects professionals in hospitality, launching new initiatives and fostering collaborations. His go-to question when meeting someone is: “What can I do for you? How can I help you move forward?” For him, the world of food, drink, and sleep remains the most beautiful industry there is. He firmly believes that a foundation in hospitality is the key to a successful career, and he passionately shares this vision. Always on the move and attuned to the latest industry developments, he eagerly shares his insights with positivity and energy.

Stephanie van Oorschot (1988) is the Industry Relations Officer at Hotel Management School NHL Stenden in Leeuwarden. She is an alumna of NHL Stenden and Nyenrode Business University and started her career by building hospitality networks across Europe.

Stephanie has spearheaded initiatives such as Dutch alumni network HotelloTOP, European event catering association EPCAS and European hotel management school competition EMCup.

At Hotel Management School NHL Stenden, she has a leading role in intensifying the collaboration between educators and industry professionals. With over 3,000 students from more than 50 countries, Hotel Management School NHL Stenden is the largest and most internationally orientated hotel management school in Europe.

Lennart has a heart for hospitality and is involved in many different aspects of the Dutch hospitality industry. Having previously held several management positions within International hotels, his last role was as General Manager of the Park Plaza Victoria Amsterdam and was a board member of the Gastronomisch Gilde.

Lennart is the founder of the Dutch Hospitality Week, the ‘Week van de horeca’ and organisor of a the competition ‘Het leukste horecateam van Nederland’. Currently Lennart is the District Manager for hotels in Amsterdam at CSU.

After training and starting as a graphic designer, Jaap's passion for people, materials and space took him to the Rietveld Academy, where he studied Architectural Design. Since graduating in 1994, Jaap has been working as an independent interior designer in Bussum.

With more than 30 years of experience Jaap have realised a wide range of projects, always with attention to detail, functionality and a personal approach. His goal is to deliver custom work that provides clients with years of enjoyment and comfort. He does not shy away from major interventions if they contribute to a sustainable and practical design.

Jaap see the importance of collaboration and collectivity within the profession. This is why he is an active member of the BNI, of which he has now been (shared) president for almost six years. He looks forward to contributing his experience and vision to our Best Hotel Design of the year award.