Programme
09:30 – Welcome & coffee – Get your badge. Select your networking stickets. Get your first introductions. Start the day with coffee, check the Freelance Victory Board where freelancers share recent wins and milestones, and add yours! Create your card for the Service Swap Board where attendees can exchange skills, support and freelance services with one another.
10:00 – Auditorium welcome session – Katrina Sichel, Event Moderator – Opening of the day and introduction to the theme “better clients”
10:10 – Better Clients by Design – Piet Saegeman, Messaging Strategist – Better clients are rarely accidental. Learn how to select the right people, shape the relationship, and walk away when you have to.
10:30 – The freelancer’s guide to LinkedIn outreach: comments, DMs & semantic search – Mic Adam, LinkedIn Expert – No need to post constantly: discover how LinkedIn’s new search features, algorithm-friendly DMs and meaningful comments can create visibility and opportunities
10:50 – How to leverage customer interviews as a growth tool for freelancers – Thibo Christiaens, Founder of Proov’d – Discover how customer conversations can become powerful marketing and sales assets
11:10 – Closing better clients: live sales coaching on stage – Jean-François Bodart, Business Development & Sales Expert – Practical sales coaching on finding & signing better clients
11:30 – How companies hire freelancers (and what makes you stand out) – Panel discussion with companies hiring freelancers featuring Leila Maidane, Founder of InterSkillar & Femmes Fières, and Peter De Buck, HR Tech Entrepreneur focused on Talent– Learn what companies actually look for when selecting freelance talent
12:15 – Business Clinic spotlight – Meet the organisations supporting freelancers with tools, services and opportunities. Learn which questions they can help answer.
Featuring:
12:35 – Extra-long networking lunch – Enjoy an extended lunch break filled with great food, meaningful networking and interactive experiences:
– Visit the Business Clinic for practical advice,
– get your personal LinkedIn profile audit with Mic Adam
– Professional headshots (at extra cost). Update your profile with a high-quality photo you can immediately use on LinkedIn and your website. Learn more and book yours: here. At previous events these sessions were quickly booked out. This offer is only for event attendees of Freelancers in Belgium Festival Day 2026.
14:00 – 14:30 Freelance Tribes: Connect with fellow freelancers in smaller focused groups to exchange experiences, discuss challenges specific to your role and industry. Each tribe will have a dedicated leader who facilitates introductions and discussions.
Join the tribe that fits your expertise:
- IT, Tech & Digital — with Ignacio Rondini (Software Developer & Tech Lead)
- Creative & Design — with Zoë van Kuyk (Motion & Visual Design Expert)
- Pharma, Biotech & Life Sciences — with Gregory Maes (Life Sciences Entrepreneur & Business Consultant)
Currently confirming tribe leaders for:
- Business consultants, project & interim managers
- Marketing & Communications
- Admin, Operations & Support
- Coaches, Trainers & Facilitators
- EU Bubble
Prefer to keep networking more open or not sure which tribe fits you yet? No problem. Participation is completely optional, and you’re welcome to continue with other activities or informal conversations instead.
14:30 – Getting more referrals – Katrina Sichel, Event Moderator – Interactive session drawing on Katrina’s 25+ years across international trade, media, broadcast production and communications, exploring how freelancers can build trust, credibility and referrals through rigour, reliability, personality and strong client relationships Includes practical observations and audience insights gathered throughout the day.
14:50 – Multiple identities without feeling like a fraud – Cilou Annys, Freelance Model, Marketing & Content Manager – Explore how to navigate multiple professional identities with confidence
15:10 – Freelancer hot seat: Ask your questions live to 3 established freelancers about positioning, visibility, finding clients, personal branding, pricing and growth.
Featuring Delphine Van Belleghem, Communication Consultant & Trainer for nonprofits, government, schools and sustainable businesses. Delphine has a focused niche positioning combined with an ambitious and highly professional freelance approach. And she wrote a book for communication professionals.
Two additional speakers to be confirmed
15:30 – Better clients: crowdsourced freelancer insights – Interactive audience session exploring what freelancers really mean by “better clients”, what is currently blocking them from attracting those clients, and practical ideas around pricing, positioning, visibility, referrals, AI and client acquisition. Includes live audience input, registration insights, polls and open discussion.
16:00 – Prize draw & closing – Jenny Bjorklof, Community Leader of Freelancers in Belgium – Closing reflections, community appreciation and giveaways, including a free annual subscription to Freelancers in Belgium PRO
16:20 – The art of engaging presentations: lessons from stand-up comedy – Kym Nelson, Comedian & Comedy Coach – Discover what comedians can teach freelancers about communication, storytelling and audience engagement
16:40 – Drinks & apero – End the day with informal networking, drinks and friendly freelance vibes. Outside if the weather allows!
More information about the sessions & speakers:
Welcome & moderation
Katrina Sichel – Moderator
A highly experienced event moderator and former TV producer who has interviewed global figures across business, politics and culture. Katrina will guide the day, connect the dots, and bring the audience into the conversation.
The good, the bad, and the ugly: how to select better clients
Piet Saegeman – Messaging strategist (ex Apple & Showpad)
Piet combines sales, marketing and behavioural science to help you understand what makes a client a good fit and how your messaging influences who you attract.
Holding multiple identities without feeling like a fraud
Cilou Annys – Freelance model, marketing & content manager
A real and honest perspective on positioning yourself when you don’t fit into one simple box.
Turning customer interviews into your #1 B2B growth lever
Thibo Christiaens – Founder of Proov’d
Learn how to use real client conversations to improve your positioning, content and sales approach.
Closing better clients: live sales coaching on stage
Jean-François Bodart – Sales expert & coach
Watch a real freelancer being coached on stage by a sales expert, while learning how to sharpen your pitch, connect it to your offer and pricing, and find, engage and follow up with the right clients in a structured way.
How companies hire freelancers (and what makes you stand out)
Panel discussion with companies working with freelancers
Get an inside view on how decisions are made, what stands out, and what makes freelancers easy (or difficult) to hire.
Confirmed panellists:
- Leila Maidane – Founder InterSkillar, Femmes Fières
- Peter De Buck – HR Tech Entrepreneur with focus on Talent Acquisition, Talent Management and Talent Retention Solutions
How to use LinkedIn to attract better clients
Mic Adam – LinkedIn expert
Practical insights on visibility, positioning and turning your profile into a client pipeline.
The art of engaging presentations
Kym Nelson – Comedian & communication coach
A fresh perspective on communication, inspired by stand-up comedy, to help you capture attention and make your message stick.
Please note: The programme is being finalised and may still change, including speakers and session topics.
Activities & experiences
Business clinic & partner expo
Talk directly with trusted partners about topics like insurance and business setup. Get answers specific to your situation.
Confirmed:
Freelancers in Belgium Jobs: Job matching platform
ING Belgium: Banking services
LV Agency: Insurance
Monizze, Meal vouchers
T-Shaped Academy, Digital marketing
Professional headshots (at extra cost)
Update your profile with a high-quality photo you can immediately use on LinkedIn and your website. Book yours here. At previous events these sessions were quickly booked out. This offer is only for event attendees of Freelancers in Belgium Festival Day 2026.
LinkedIn audit
Get quick, practical feedback on your profile and positioning from LinkedIn expert Mic Adam.
Extended networking lunch
Take the time to have real conversations with other freelancers, not just quick introductions.
Freelance Victory Board
Share your wins and see what others are achieving. A simple but powerful way to reflect and get inspired.
Service Swap Board
Offer your skills or find support from other freelancers in the room.
Interactive sessions & crowd input
Ask your questions, share your challenges and learn from others through live discussions and polls.
Closing drinks & Apero
End the day in a relaxed setting, with space to deepen conversations and build real connections.
If you want better clients and a more sustainable freelance business, this is where you start.
Some quotes from happy attendees at other Freelancers in Belgium events
“It is the best freelancer event you can find in Belgium!”
“Great event which was superbly organised to create a positive, vibrant and safe atmosphere for the participants in order to grow, learn and connect”
“Talking with kindred spirits, getting to know their line of work and sharing experiences.”
FAQ
Will this event be in English?
Yes. All sessions will be in English.
Will there be a recording?
No. This is a live, in-person experience and sessions will not be recorded.
What if I can’t attend or the event gets cancelled?
Cancellation & refund policy
When purchasing a ticket, you agree to the following terms:
- If you cancel your attendance at least 14 days before the event, your ticket will be refunded in full.
- If you cancel less than 14 days before the event, no refund is provided.
- You can transfer your ticket to someone else at any time, free of charge.
The organiser is not responsible for any loss or damage resulting from substitution, alteration, cancellation or postponement of the event.
In the case of unforeseen circumstances (such as extreme weather, strike, emergency, or other events beyond our control), the event may be cancelled, postponed or rescheduled. In such cases, the organiser assumes no liability.
Please note that while speakers and topics are confirmed at the time of publishing, changes may occur. The organiser reserves the right to update or replace speakers and sessions if needed. Any updates will be communicated on the event page.
What does the ticket include?
Your ticket gives you access to a full day experience:
- All live sessions and talks
- Networking opportunities with other freelancers
- Partner expo and business clinic access
- Activities & Experiences. Please note that the photo shoot needs to be booked separately in advance at an extra cost.
- Materials or resources shared by speakers
- Food & Drinks (coffee, sandwich lunch with dessert, afternoon appetizers and drinks)
Can I join as a starter?
Yes, absolutely, as long as you are serious about freelancing and actively exploring or preparing the transition.
The event is designed for freelancers at different stages, from people preparing their first steps to experienced freelancers looking for better clients and more freedom in their business.
Please note:
- We require a VAT number during registration for invoicing purposes.
- If you do not yet have a VAT number, you can fill in a placeholder/random number to complete the registration. 21% VAT will be added to the ticket price and is not deductible in your case.
Is networking a big part of the event?
Yes.
We’ve built in multiple moments to connect with other freelancers, exchange ideas and meet partners.
The goal is not just to learn, but to leave with new connections.
Yes. Most participants come alone.
The event is designed to make it easy to meet others through both structured and informal networking activities.
Is the venue easily accessible?
Yes. The venue is easily accessible both by public transport and car. We will share detailed directions and practical information with all participants before the event.
Is the venue accessible for people with reduced mobility?
We aim to host the event in a venue that is accessible to everyone. If you have specific accessibility needs, feel free to reach out to jenny.bjorklof@freelancersinbelgium.be so we can support you as best as possible.
Who is organising this event?
This event is organised by Freelancers in Belgium
A community where freelancers:
- Connect and support each other on topics from admin to sales to mindset
- Share best practices, opportunities and insights
- Learn how to start and grow their business through events and training
You can discover more and join the community at:
www.freelancersinbelgium.be
Questions about the event?
Email: info@freelancersinbelgium.be
“It’s a great place to meet other freelancers and learn about opportunities waiting to be seized.”
