It was my first ever event in Amsterdam, and I was very nervous…
When I launched Treasury Career Corner Live in the Netherlands, I had this picture in my head of me and the speakers sitting in a half-empty room, handing out drinks to each other.
But that didn’t happen.
Within 24 hours, 32 treasury professionals had registered.
A couple of days later we hit 50.
By the time I’d returned from the US Treasurers Conference in Boston, we’d completely filled our 70-person venue.
And then something I’ve never experienced before happened:
We went over capacity.
People kept signing up. People kept emailing. And on the night itself, the room was completely full as delegates brought other treasury colleagues too!
After the event, I asked several attendees why they’d come, and they all said the same thing in different ways:
“We don’t get events like this here.”
They told me there are plenty of bank events and plenty of tech events – but those gatherings are usually built around sponsors, sales pitches or product demos.
Useful in their own way but they are often sales-led rather than ours that is 100% geared towards helping them as treasury professionals develop their treasury careers.
This event was different.
It was a room of peers talking honestly about real roles, real challenges and real progression.
Because of that, word spread fast.
The next morning my inbox was full of messages from people who hadn’t even attended:
“I heard great things – when’s your next event? Can I attend?”
“My colleague came last night and said it was brilliant. Where do I sign up for the next one?”
I’ve run dozens of events over the years, but I’ve NEVER had that kind of response.
It taught me something important:
Treasury professionals will show up when the content is genuinely for them.
Not for a sponsor.
Not for a product.
Not for a sales pipeline.
But for their development and their careers.
So, to everyone in the Dutch treasury community who attended, supported, spread the word or sent someone my way – thank you. The response was incredible, and I’m immensely grateful.
And yes… there will definitely be a next one!
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. Where would you like to see the next Treasury Career Corner Live?
