In perhaps one of the most spacious venues in the Netherlands, ‘colourful moderator’ Emmelie Zipson welcomed all attending members at the annual GCN conference 2021 on the 8th of July at RAI Amsterdam. This conference day revolved around transformation, restructuring and environmental, social and governance (ESG). For the first time in a long time, we gathered with a large group of General Counsels and had excellent face-to-face discussions, and although on 1,5 metres, this really felt so good!
It would have been so cool to discuss and exchange thoughts among peers about “Ethics in Times of Crisis” during one of the 15 GCN Roundtables and with a Forum of General Counsel last week. However, as you know, we had to cancel the GC Annual Conference last minute due to the new C-19 measurements.
However, we asked our keynote expert speakers to present you with some of the highlights of their presentations in this Extra GCN E-newsletter and the 30 moderators of the GCN Roundtables will follow-up in the General Counsel Magazine 2020-2021.
On July 2nd, after months of video meetings it was good to see and speak with GCs again during the sunny GCN Special Outdoor Event ‘Flying safely through the storm’ on the large terrace at Hilversum Airport! With exciting contributions from experts in training resilient teams in high risk environments.
During the well-attended General Counsel NL New Year’s Boost on January 30th, General Counsel from all over the country got a special and exclusive look at the Rijksmuseum’s Gallery of Honour. Led by inspiring guides, we could enjoy the most beautiful masterpieces and hear all about the impressive restoration of ‘The Night Watch’. And, of course, we toasted on a great new GCN year!
On October 11th, 2018, the GC NL Fall Conference took place at the ‘Raad voor de Rechtspraak’ in The Hague.
A core task of every General Counsel is that the Legal Department understands the most important legal risks. These risks result to a large extent from contracts. What is the best way to manage the phenomenon of ‘contracts’ in the current time as a GC? During the General Counsel NL Fall Conference we shared information on the subject from various angles.
New ways of working for General Counsel – Transforming companies need transforming GCs
The Annual Conference took place on April 19th, 2018.
General Counsel often have discussions in which a lot is at stake, especially to manage legal risks. The underlying financial and reputational risks are usually significant. And the GC generally has to deal with various stakeholders, such as the business, the board, supervisors and – last but not least – the GC itself. It is not uncommon for emotions to play a decisive role in important discussions, in addition to business arguments. What is the best way for GCs to prepare for this and to turn emotions into a powerful dialogue, speaking with conviction and making an impact? This was the core of the General Counsel NL Annual Conference 2018.
On October 6th, the GC NL Fall Conference 2017 took place.
General Counsel often have discussions in which a lot is at stake, especially to manage legal risks. The underlying financial and reputational risks are usually significant. And the GC generally has to deal with various stakeholders, such as the business, the board, supervisors and – last but not least – the GC itself. It is not uncommon for emotions to play a decisive role in important conversations in addition to business arguments. What is the best way for GCs to prepare for this and turn emotions into a powerful dialogue, speaking with conviction and making an impact? This was the core of the General Counsel NL Fall Conference on October 6th, 2017 at the Randstad head office.
Participants feedback:
“As General Counsel, you often have conversations that are at stakeholders. This conference has given me insight into the factors that play a decisive role in Crucial Conversations and how I can deal with them.”
“I’ll have a sip of wine on your outstanding performance with another great conference!”
On April 6th the GC NL Annual Conference 2017 took place.
More than 160 General Counsel met on April 6th during the General Counsel NL Annual Conference 2017 to discuss what The Ultimate Legal Department entails and what trends play an important role in it. The question of what challenges the legal departments faces and will face in the future in the increasingly rapidly digitizing and “consumerizing” legal world, was central to this.
Participants feedback:
“There are many challenges ahead for the modern General Counsel, which is why it’s very pleasant to exchange views throughout the conference about what the Ultimate Legal Department should look like and what our role is in it.”
On October 7th, the GC NL Fall Conference 2016 on “Innovative Solution for General Counsel” took place at KPMG in Amstelveen. The results of the General Counsel NL Benchmark Survey 2016 were also announced.
Participants feedback:
“The professional presentations, the personal introductions, the round tables on topics that matter and this time the specific emphasis on Innovation and Legal Tech help me as General Counsel to develop and keep up with me.”
In rabobank’s characteristic Wim Duisenberg auditorium, on October 8th 2015, General Counsels met to be inspired in the field of leadership and feedback. In addition, the first official presentation of the General Counsel Award took place.
Participants feedback:
“Good to exchange views on receiving and giving Feedback, with a keynote from a completely different profession and also to hear how the Unilever General Counsel is handling its greater responsibility”
“Great to see that you have managed to organise such a professional network of General Counsel here in the Netherlands – we need that in France too”
As General Counsel you are increasingly involved in Reputation and Crisis Management at boardroom level. In what way do you give substance to this task? And what are the implications for your responsibilities in the field of legal, compliance and management secretariat? During the General Counsel NL Annual Conference 2015 on April 16th, 2015. in the DAS head office, the attendees received answers to the above questions from various inspiring speakers and enlightening roundtable discussions.
Participants feedback:
“Highly informative and high-quality topics and keynotes. In addition, good networking moments and the opportunity to share best practices and dilemmas with peers through the round tables.”
“I have now been able to attend the annual congress of GCN three times, and with great pleasure! Each time, the GC NL Annual Congress brings up aspects of being General Counsel that you don’t always think about in the delusion of the day, but which are very relevant to the functioning of the General Counsel. The themes are relevant, the speakers appealing, the GC’s are an ever closer club, and the gaze is forward where unknown paths are not shunned.”
In collaboration with its partners, GCN has published the General Counsel NL Annual Conference Book 2015, with many interesting articles on the theme “Reputation and crisis management for General Counsel, balancing legal, compliance & reputation risks”.
The General Counsel NL Annual Conference is the main annual conference for General Counsel in the Netherlands and takes place every spring, each time with a different central theme. During this day full of variety, you take part in three GCN Round tables of your choice. There are short, inspiring contributions of keynote speakers and there is plenty of opportunity for personal introductions where we are happy to help you. Every fall the General Counsel NL Fall Conference takes place. From lunch to drinks you will be inspired by other General Counsel and special introductions. It is a unique and diverse gathering. Presentations are short and in-dept discussions are held in small groups. Each year a different theme is on the agenda. GCN facilitates GCN Round Tables, where various hot topics are discussed with experts and peers.
Here you will find a retrospect of GCN Conferences in the past years.
