During Covid-19 lockdown years we co-created and led an online thought leadership event series focused on the next normal: smart communications, smart companies and smart communities.
Challenge
When COVID-19 disrupted live events in 2020, there was a clear gap in the market for meaningful, high-level conversations about the evolving world of communications. The industry was entering a period of massive change—hybrid work, digital-first business models, and the rise of smarter, AI-powered platforms—but there was no trusted space for leaders to reflect on what it all meant.
Solution & Work
We created and curated the SmartCom Summit—a digital-first talk show exploring Smart Communications, Smart Companies, and Smart Communities. Hosted by renowned Dutch journalist Charles Groenhuijzen, the format prioritized real dialogue over pitches. Together, we explored topics like:
- The “new normal” of hybrid work and digital collaboration
- Strategy shifts in telecom, IT, and communication platforms
- Emerging intersections between AI, CX, and smart cities
- Leadership and culture in an increasingly virtual world
Guests included leaders from Microsoft, Enreach, IBM, Red Hat, KPN, iBasis, Ribbon, Anywhere365, and more. Our goal was to make complex ideas accessible—both for insiders and broader business audiences.
Results
SmartCom Summit quickly built a reputation for substance and authenticity. It became a respected platform for exploring what’s next in communications—with real takeaways for business leaders navigating uncertainty. The experience also helped shape our thinking around ecosystem conversations and later inspired the more structured approach we took with CPaaSAA.
Bonus: we learned a lot from Charles about the power of simplicity and storytelling.
Over the course of 3 years we created 6 virtual events: