​Conference dinner​​​​​​​​ event​​​​​

This year, during the 5th ESP Europe Conference, we offer two options to experience the conference dinner in a unique way. You can choose to immerse yourself in traditional Dutch life with a visit to the Open Air Museum, or to take a world trip through the immersive nature areas of Burgers' Zoo. Located in the vast forest area of ​​the Veluwe in Arnhem, these locations are right next to each other. We will arrange transportation by bus from the conference venue, but the locations can also be easily reached by car or public transport. The program will start at approximately 4 PM at both the museum and the zoo, and will end at 9:30 PM.

Upon arrival on location a welcome drink will be offered, followed by time to explore part of the museum or zoo accompanied by local guides, before it's time for the dinner. The complete afternoon/evening program and menus for both locations will be available soon.

Open Air Museum

The Open Air Museum is full of authentic and unique buildings. In this 44-hectare museum park the history of the Netherlands comes to life through the 100 museum buildings, farms and mills. Each building has its own fascinating history and interesting story. You will walk past real, relocated houses, farms and workshops from the past. Around and between these parts of the museum there are various gardens with old cultivated crops, forgotten vegetables and medicinal plants. In addition, the museum offers the opportunity to study the Canon of the Netherlands (an indoor exhibit of local history). Travel from dolmens to the present and learn about the most important events, people and objects that contributed to the Netherlands as we see it today. After this program you will be offered a delicious selection of vegetarian dishes at the Kasteelboerderij (Castle farm).

Burgers' Zoo

With an area of ​​45 hectares, Royal Burgers' Zoo is one of the largest zoos in the Netherlands. The park receives approximately 1 million visitors per year, mainly from the Netherlands and Germany. Inside you can discover animals and in their natural habitat. Their eco-displays mimic nature reserves as naturally and accurately as possible, often allowing animals to live in great freedom among hundreds of plant species.

There are two places to uncover during the Burgers' Zoo dinner experience: the Bush and the Ocean. (Keep in mind November in the Netherlands means the sun is down quite early, so not all areas in the zoo are available to explore, as most of them rely on natural light). Dinner at the zoo takes place in the Safari restaurant and consists of a "Culinary journey" with a selection of vegetarian dishes.

The Bush

Explore the colourful tropical rainforest, the Bush, where flora and fauna from the African, American and Asian tropics represented. You can discover many different species of mammals, birds, fish and reptiles on your journey through the jungle. In the water, on the ground, in the trees and in the air: this tropical rainforest holds a wealth of animals in complete freedom all around you.

The Ocean

Dive into Burgers’ Ocean, an Indo-Pacific tropical coral reef aquarium that holds eight million liters of water. Descend through the ocean from a tropical lagoon beach, along Europe's largest living coral reef, to the infinite depths of the open sea. Let guides take your on a tour through the Ocean, including a unique look behind the scenes.

Images: Netherlands Open Air Museum website, Burrgers' Zoo Arnhem website