Together with our partners and provocative thinkers we set the
agenda for our industry.
If you want to tap into the European student housing sector, this is the
place to be.
With The Best in Class Awards, we recognise the organizations that are raising the bar for our industry.
ceo
Nido student
"We really respect the work that The Class is doing in expanding the footprint of the student accommodation sector and challenging local governments and those of us within the sector to continue to evolve, adapt, improve, deliver great services for students and continue to be a force."
International director
JLL
“At The Class Conference we are talking about student housing, attracting students, retaining them and making their lives easier, more productive and more useful to the cities, the economy and to give them a better experience.”
Director of Research & Market Information
INREV
“The diversity of the people who come together at The Class Conference is really amazing. I don’t think that you can get as much diversity in any other type of conference.”
Residential life manager
Manchester Metropolitan university
“What surprised me most, is how willing everybody is to share the information they have on how they deliver.”
Co-Founder
Factory
“There are a lot of potential partners both from the operation side and from the development side.”
Consultant
The European House Ambrosetti
“I love the productivity, the creativity, this is really worth the trip to find new ideas and to create useful collaborations.”
Chief Executive
CRM Students
“We come for two reasons: to meet new people and to expand our network and to learn about the cities.”
President
Maastricht University
“Very much enjoyed participating in the 2020 conference. We had a good mix of participants, including a student voice.”
Chairman & Founder
IC Campus
“The marketplace for everybody who is part of the student accommodation sector in the real estate industry.”
If you’re joining us in person, on Day 1, we've organised tours of student housing sites operated by some of our partners around Amsterdam. These tours highlight a diverse range of innovative student/shared living concepts that are disrupting the sector. Attendees can mix and match between locations to create their own tour track. We ask that you arrange your own transportation between locations.
2pm
Co-working, classrooms, events
facilities, sports and café
restaurants below a revamped hotel
and student accommodation.
REVAMP
12:30pm - 3:30pm
A brand new year-long stay
hybrid with fully furnished
waterfront studios for
600 international students.
HYBRIDIZE
12:30pm - 2pm
A large-scale award-winning build
featuring 1,559 studios and
apartments for 2,000 students
and young professionals.
SCALE
12:30pm - 3pm
Completed in 2019, a 219 newly
-built micro-flats project
transforming the Amstelkwartier
industrial district.
TRANSFORM
2pm - 3:30pm
320 repurposed independent
premium studios developed in a
former office building with units
between 22 and 100m².
DIVERSIFY
Day 2 is our day to look back and ahead at the forces shaping the industry. We'll kick-off the conference programme at De Hallen Studio's in Amsterdam and online for global audiences. Our in-person audience will experience a series of inspirational speakers and breakout discussions. Online attendees can join the sessions via livestream and view exclusive pre-programmed content during breakouts.
Online registration
Frank Uffen
Founder & Director of The Class Foundation
Piet Van Hove
Vice President of EAIE
This session hones in on the collective agenda to revive and improve our HEI and university cities both locally and at the level of the EU
🔍 Focus: What will the EU’s Recovery Plan look like in cities across the continent?
🔥 Debate: How might the student accommodation sector support universities in becoming connective hubs for European cities?
📍 Explore: What is our vision for creating future-proof smart cities? What actions are needed to get there?
💬 Discuss: What are some of the goals shared by leaders and experts on the future of our cities?
Martijn van de Veen
Vice President of Business Development at ICEF
Kelly-anne Watson
Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation
Prof. Barbara Gherri
Professor of Architectural Engineering at the Università degli Studi di Parma
Adam Glaser
AIA, LEED AP, Planning and Strategy, Urban designer
Eri Cuanalo
CEO and Chair at Collegiate AC
Problem: climate change, urban issues, and nature and technology are still seen as opposing forces Solution: bridging the gap between nature and technology through the Internet of Nature introduce the Internet of Nature Provide 2-4 case studies of the most promising examples in very different fields, meant to inspire those designing, maintaining, and managing urban green space about the opportunities smart technologies can offer us. For example: terrestrial LiDAR to make 3D models of street trees and quantify tree's $$$ value soil sensors to predict how much water a tree will need the day after tomorrow plant ID apps to crowdsource biodiversity mapping and reconnect people to the nature all around them Summarize with future ways forward
Kelly-anne Watson
Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation
Nadina Galle
Ecological Engineer and Host of the #InternetofNature Podcast
This session, which is geared towards students, dives into the challenges and opportunities that come with accommodating our next generation’s ambitions for the future.
🔍 Focus: How do we demystify Gen Z trends, insights, and experiences?
🔥 Debate: How might we widen access to higher education?
📍 Explore: What will attract and retain students in our universities cities?
💬 Discuss: How might we create greater equality and inclusivity for the students of tomorrow?
Tim Moonen
Managing Director at The Business of Cities
Jorick Beijer
Urbanist & Director at Blossity
ZamZam Ibrahim
Vice President of the European Students Union
Antony Lee
Founder of Global Young Minds
Carmen Neghina
Senior Marketing Analytics Consultant at StudyPortal
Maggie Childs
CEO of Home Town Media
Maggie Childs
Nido Student (“Nido”) and A Designer at Heart have been working together over the last three years to embed wellbeing focused design into Nido’s residences. Darren Gardner and Martina Pardo divulge into this successful collaboration; improving students’ living experiences through incredibly thoughtful and considered design (right down to hooks in laundry rooms to prevent mysteriously lost socks!) Given the intrinsic link between design and maximising wellbeing, Nido ensures students’ requirements are incorporated throughout Nido’s residences. Nido’s ultimate aim is to design spaces that enable connection and foster a strong sense of community, which in turn leads to increased satisfaction, retention, and positive recommendations.
What is happening in the world? How does this influence the spirit of the time? What drivers are activated? How can I anticipate these? The current zeitgeist and field of tension will be shown to you in a visually tantalizing presentation by Christine and answers will evolve in reaction to this spirit of the time. It is in these answers that we discover what drives people.
Christine Boland
Independent Trendwatcher
This session touches on how spatial design, technology, and digitisation work in tandem to elevate students’ sense of wellbeing, connection, and serendipity.
🔍 Focus: How and why should we build better living and working spaces for students?
🔥 Debate: Should your community be marketed as a brand? Why or why not?
📍 Explore: What role does stakeholder collaboration play in enhancing the student experience and helping cities to retain young talent?
💬 Discuss: In what ways can the student experience be digitised effectively, and what are the limitations?
Antony Lee
Founder of Global Young Minds
Omar Ali
Head of Marketing & Communications at The Class Foundation
Caroline Young
Director of Student Plus at Queen's University Belfast
Billy Kontoulis
Business Development Director for Europe at ASK4
Charlie Macgregor
Founder & CEO of The Student Hotel
Christine Boland
Independent Trendwatcher
In this video, Naima will discuss the positive impact that a thriving community experience can have on your members and business. She will go over the mindset and key elements for how to make a community thrive, with insights grounded in research and case studies from Conscious Coliving's extensive network of partners. Finally, she will talk about why fostering community is a responsibility for everyone, and how to facilitate community through different roles.
Naima Ritter Figueres
Head of Community & Wellbeing at Conscious Coliving
Matt Lesniak
Co-Founder and Head of Impact & Innovation at Conscious Coliving
This session revolves around investment, with particular attention on how capital can be leveraged to drive profit while catering to both young people and the planet at large
🔍 Focus: What are the benefits of non-financial investments for various stakeholders?
🔥Debate: Why is social value such an integral part of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG)?
📍 Explore: What are the best models to build social value for our new era?
💬 Discuss: What do we gain (and lose) when we rethink traditional investment practices?
Brigit Gerritse
Executive Director at ULI
Adina David
Urban Living at Greystar
Tim Moonen
Managing Director at The Business of Cities
Jo Wincheser
Executive Director of CBRE
Ulrike Hagendorf
Senior Research Manager European Residential at Catella
This research aims at creating a holistic view of the legalities involved in student accommodation provision across the following European markers: United Kingdom, Iberia, France, Benelux, Italy, Germany, and Austria & CEE. Research questions were tailored to provide insight on the general status of student housing provision and the main legal and tax considerations PBSA investors, developers and operators should be mindful when entering these markets. The output of this research will be made public across The Class Foundation’s channels as: (a) an electronic report available for website download and (b) speaking engagements in public events organised by The Class Foundation in Q4 2021.
Kelly-anne Watson
Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation
Bartjan Zoetmulder
Tax Partner for Investment Management & Real Estate at Loyens & Loeff
Jasper Algera
Tax Lawyer at Loyens & Loeff
This session identifies the shared goals and responsibilities needed to bring about and sustain systems change within the student housing sector
🔍 Focus: What are the key takeaways from this session?
🔥 Debate: What is our Agenda for 2022?
📍 Explore: Who are the stakeholders and how do we hold them accountable?
💬 Discuss: How might we weave our overlapping interests into a solid action plan?
Frank Uffen
Founder & Director of The Class Foundation
Maggie Childs
CEO of Home Town Media
Piet Van Hove
Vice President of EAIE
Djordy Seelmann
CEO of HousingAnywhere
Bill Kistler
Founder & Managing Partner at urbanOvation
We'll wrap up a fantastic day of programming with a prize giveaway from our Tech Sponsor, ASK4. After a few words from our team, the conference will be adjourned and attendees can grab a drink or a bite to eat nextdoor at the famous Amsterdam Foodhallen.
Frank Uffen
Founder & Director of The Class Foundation
Kelly-Anne Watson
Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation
To gain entry to the venue, we will need to check your EU, UK, or equivalent Digital Certificate (i.e. a proof of vaccination, negative test result, or proof of recovery from COVID-19 in the form of a QR code). Once you've been given access to the premises, we'll scan your Eventbrite ticket and give you a lanyard and badge. Your badge comes with a unique QR code which links to your profile on Swapcard. By scanning this code with your smartphone, you can network with other attendees and get the most out of the event.
Frank Uffen
Founder and Director of The Class Foundation
Piet Van Hove
Vice-President of EAIE
This session hones in on the collective agenda to revive and improve our HEI and university cities both locally and at the level of the EU.
🔍 Focus: What will the EU’s Recovery Plan look like in cities across the continent?
🔥 Debate: How might the student accommodation sector support universities in becoming connective hubs for European cities?
📍 Explore: What is our vision for creating future-proof cities?
💬 Discuss: What are some of the goals shared by leaders and experts on the future of our cities?
Kelly-Anne Watson
Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation
Martijn van de Veen
VICE PRESIDENT OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT ICEF
Eri Cuanalo
CEO & Chair of Collegiate AC
Barbara Gherri
Assistant Professor of Architectural Engineering at the Università degli Studi di Parma
Adam Glaser
AIA LEED AP PLANNING AND STRATEGY URBAN DESIGNER
This session, which is geared towards students, dives into the challenges and opportunities that come with accommodating our next generation’s ambitions for the future
🔍 Focus: How do we demystify Gen Z trends, insights, and experiences?
🔥 Debate: How might we widen access to higher education?
📍 Explore: What will attract and retain students in our universities cities?
💬 Discuss: How might we create greater equality and inclusivity for the students of tomorrow?
Tim Moonen
Managing Director at The Business of Cities
Jorick Beijer
Urbanist & Director at Blossity
ZamZam Ibrahim
Vice President at the European Students Union
Antony Lee
Founder at Global Young Minds
Carmen Neghina
Senior Marketing Analytics Consultant at StudyPortal
Maggie Childs
CEO of Home Town Media
The current zeitgeist and field of tension will be shown to you in a visually tantalizing presentation by Christine and answers will evolve in reaction to this spirit of the time. It is in these answers that we discover what drives people.
Christine Boland
Independent Trendwatcher
This session touches on how spatial design, technology, and digitisation work in tandem to elevate students’ sense of wellbeing, connection, and serendipity.
🔍 Focus: How and why should we build better living and working spaces for students?
🔥 Debate: Should your community be marketed as a brand? Why or why not?
📍 Explore: What role does stakeholder collaboration play in enhancing the student experience and helping cities to retain young talent?
💬 Discuss: In what ways can the student experience be digitised effectively, and what are the limitations?
Antony Lee
Founder of Global Young Minds
Omar Ali
Head of Marketing & Communications at The Class Foundation
Caroline Young
Director of Student Plus at Queen’s University Belfast
Billy Kontoulis
Business Development Director for Europe at ASK4
Charlie Macgregor
CEO and Founder at The Student Hotel
Christine Boland
Independent Trendwatcher
This session revolves around investment, with a particular focus on how capital can be leveraged to drive profit, while catering to both young people and the planet at large.
🔍 Focus: What are the benefits of non-financial investments for various stakeholders?
🔥 Debate: Why is social value such an integral part of Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance (ESG)
📍 Explore: What are the best models to build social value for our new era?
💬 Discuss: What do we gain (and lose) when we rethink traditional investment practices?
Brigit Gerritse
Executive Director at ULI
Adina David
Urban Living at GreyStar
Tim Moonen
Managing Director at The Business of Cities
Jo Wincheser
Executive Director of CBRE
Ulrike Hagendorf
Senior Research Manager European Residential at Catella
Chris Holloway
Director of Business Development at Yugo
This session identifies the shared goals and responsibilities needed to bring about and sustain systems change within the student housing sector.
🔍 Focus: What are the key takeaways from this session?
🔥 Debate: What is our Agenda for 2022?
📍 Explore: Who are the stakeholders and how do we hold them accountable?
💬 Discuss: How might we weave our overlapping interests into a solid action plan?
Frank Uffen
CEO and Founder of The Class Foundation
Maggie Childs
CEO of Home Town Media
Piet Van Hove
Vice President of EAIE
Djordy Seelmann
CEO of HousingAnywhere
Bill Kistler
Founder and Managing Partner at urbanOvation
After wrapping up our final session, Frank Uffen will deliver some closing remarks to attendees before our Tech Sponsor, ASK4, gives a prize away to a lucky winner.
Frank Uffen
Founder & Director of The Class Foundation
Kelly-Anne Watson
Head of Programmes at The Class Foundation
The 2021 Class Conference is going ahead as planned with some slight adjustments.
Though the Dutch government announced a partial lockdown on 12 November, the new measures will not affect much of our scheduled in-person programming.
Site Tours:
As before, each site tour during the day on 17 November will require a valid coronavirus entry pass (QR code). We advise participants to wear face masks and maintain social distance during the tours.
Best in Class Awards & Partner Dinner:
Because one of the new measures requires the catering industry and non-essential shops to close at 7 PM, our invite-only Partner Dinner on 17 November will be held earlier: from 4:30 to 7:00 PM. The Best in Class Awards will announced at 5:00 PM via live stream. If you have RSVP'd to the Partner Dinner, we will contact you with more information including the location and schedule. If you have not RSVP'd, it is not too late. Please email us the first and last names of your attendees, their email addresses, and dietary restrictions.
Conference Day:
The conference programme on 18 November will commence at 9:30 AM at De Hallen Studio's with attendee registration. To gain access to the venue, you will need to show your valid coronavirus entry pass (QR code). Once inside, we advise participants to wear face masks and maintain social distance, but there will be no assigned seating.
For those who are coming to the conference from outside the Netherlands, click here to check the latest travel advice from the Dutch government.
Yes. You can fill out this sponsorship contact form to register your interest and our team will get back to you promptly.
Yes. You can fill out this media partner contact form to register your interest and we will get back to you promptly.
Yes. Please fill out this press pass form and we will get back to you soon.
Yes. You can fill out this contact form to register your interest and we will get back to you promptly.
Onsite tickets: €800 excluding VAT for non-partners. Partners can get in touch with Oscar to claim their complimentary on-site tickets. Non-partners can also get in touch with Oscar to discuss our partnership offer.
Online tickets: For the virtual experience we will be offering unlimited tickets for €120 excluding VAT.
For our 2021 conference, we're offering a hybrid experience from Amsterdam's De Hallen Studio's. 400+ attendees will join us on-site from over 120 organisations across Europe. We'll also be livestreaming the event globally to our audience of virtual attendees.
Thursday November 18th, 2021. Visit our conference webpage to receive more information about this industry flagship event.
You can contact us via the contact form or by calling Omar, our Head of Marketing & Communication, via +31 (0)6 1825 5047
