From 25 May 2018, the General Data Protection Regulation (AVG) will apply. From that date, the same privacy legislation will apply throughout the EU. The introduction of the AVG brings many changes. To inform our members about this, an information meeting was organised at museum de Looierij in Dongen. The meeting was provided with content by professionals from the Schipper Groep and Sigma Personeelsdiensten (part of the Schipper Groep). More than 30 interested Toerisme De Baronie entrepreneurs attended the meeting.

There were questions among our members:

• what does this law actually entail?
• what does it mean for me and my business?
• What do I need to do and how can I do it practically?
• Is it going to be such a big deal?

Explanation and advice by Bert Kolen of the Schipper Group

AVG expert Bert Kolen guided us through the unruly subject matter in a pleasant and understandable way. Bert Kolen is responsible for implementing the AVG within the Schipper Group. He too still encounters many questions, which he solves in a practical manner. That was also his message to the attendees: "Don't get crazy, but do handle personal data carefully." His advice was to at least draft a privacy statement and put it on your website. There are plenty of examples of this on the internet. Otherwise, you can contact your trade association (Recron) for this. A second tip is to agree with consultants and suppliers on how they handle personal data, a so-called processing agreement. Also make sure your website is "AVG-proof".

Chairman Ted van der Lee thanked the gentlemen from the Schipper Group, one of Toerisme De Baronie's network partners, for hosting this informative evening. All attendees will still receive the presentation by e-mail, via a BCC of course. All Toerisme De Baronie members who missed the meeting but would like to receive the presentation can send an e-mail to [email protected].

Toerisme De Baronie visit tip: museum de looierij

In closing, Rinus Krijnen, chairman of the Dongha-Heem foundation that runs Museum de Looierij, spoke passionately about the museum. It presents the history of leather tanning in the largest leather village in the Netherlands in a unique way. All attendees were impressed by the museum and Rinus' inspired explanations, and said they would come back again. In short, it is definitely worth visiting this special museum; free entrance with the museum annual card!

In the photo: Rinus Krijnen speaking