On Monday 25 February, entrepreneurs' association Toerisme De Baronie organised its annual members' meeting at Van der Valk Hotel Gilze-Tilburg. The turnout was good and the atmosphere convivial. The meeting consisted of two parts. A formal part (annual report 2018, board election and annual plan 2019) and an informal workshop 'Cooperation starts with wanting', led by Gabrina kikkert, events editor at Omroep Brabant.

Annual report 2018 'Full steam ahead'
Last year saw many achievements of which we can be proud. Toerisme De Baronie has become more visible in the region, the first rest point has been opened, inspiring meetings have taken place and the merger with Tourism Alphen-Chaam is in the pipeline. We are also working together more and more regionally.

Annual plan 2019 'Cooperation and connection'
Cooperation and connection, with other parties, but especially between our members, are the main focal points for 2019. Getting to know each other better is the basis of any cooperation. Together, you are stronger and can offer the tourist more. "See each other as colleagues and recommend each other to the tourist," says Theo Donkers, secretary Toerisme De Baronie. Together, you make the difference.

Workshop 'Collaboration starts with wanting'
The second part involved an inspiring workshop, in which Gabrina Kikkert challenged our members to speed-date. Before speed dating, Carlo van Engelen, owner of café-feesterij 't Engeltje, talked about the successful entrepreneurial cooperation in Molenschot. Toerisme De Baronie speed dating consisted of two rounds. Round one: find someone you already know, get to know them and explore how you can work together and round two: the same as round one, but with someone you don't yet know. Members sought each other out and came up with surprising connections, some of which were shared with the group. This tastes like more. Gabrina: "If you want something, almost anything is possible."