April 14th, 2026 // Venue Collective // Amsterdam NL
The Great Happiness Conference
Exclusively for: Executives, Senior Leaders, Team Leads, Chief Happiness Officers, and HR, People & Culture, and Learning & Development professionals.
An exceptional international and Dutch line-up of Happiness Experts, Changemakers, and People-Oriented Leaders together on one stage!
(Inter)national speakers
Professionals
Golden Nuggets
Inspiration
Science, knowledge, practical experience, networking, and inspiration
The Great Happiness Conference is designed for business leaders and professionals who are shaping the future of work and bringing out the best in themselves and their people.
This conference is for leaders and professionals who are co-shaping the future of work and are committed to bringing out the best in themselves and their people.
Scientists and Experts confirm:
Happiness is a Serious Business
The business case for Happiness at Work is clear and shows:
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Cost reduction through improved Engagement and Retention, and a decrease in Stress, Burnout, and Absenteeism.
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Enhancement of Problem-solving skills, Creativity, Innovation, Resilience, and Productivity.
Happiness at Work is not a nice-to-have. It is a powerful strategic choice for profitability, success, impact, and future-proof leadership.
SPEAKERS OF THESE ORGANISATIONS:
Unique Line-up
The Great Happiness Conference
The International Happiness & Well-being Conference in the Netherlands
Laurie Santos
Professor of Psychology at Yale
Nic Marks
Statistician, Speaker, Author
Dr Elia Gourgouris
America's Happiness doctor, President of The Happiness Center and author
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Master
Alex Nunn
Head of Movement Building at Action for Happiness
Sven Rickli
Pionier Menselijke Revolutie
Niek van den Adel
Speaker, author, and entrepreneur
Erik Schoppen
Trust and Wellbeing Expert
Hebe Boonzaaijer
Founder of In Flow Institute
Rene Brouwers
CEO bij Great Place to Work NL
Siham Maatoug
Senior HR at the Dutch Police Force
Thomas van Eeckhout
CEO at Easi, Award winning in Tech
Janine Schimmel-
penninck
Author, trainer
and coach
Asha Lalai
Founder Action for Happiness Nederland, Happiness Expert & Host
Frans Appels
Ambassador for Action for Happiness, Entrepreneur, and Happiness Researcher
- All sessions
- Afternoon sessions (English spoken)
-
8:45 - 9:15
Reception and registration
-
9:30 NL
Opening of the "The Great Happiness Conference"
Asha Lalai
Founder Action for Happiness Netherlands
Host of The Great Happiness Conference -
9:35 NL
From work pressure to job satisfaction – The human revolution in organizations
Sven Rickli
Pioneer of The Human Revolution -
10:10 NL
How the Brain Shapes Connections, Trust & Well-being
Drs. Erik Schoppen
Trust & Well-being Expert -
10:50 Break out session 1 NL
Trust is always the foundation, also for job satisfaction
Rene Brouwers
CEO Great Place To Work Netherlands -
10:50 Break out session 2 NL
Contribute to a new happiness platform
Frans Appels
Ambassador Action for Happiness NL, entrepreneur and happiness researcher -
10:50 Break out session 3 NL
How to build safe and inclusive teams
Siham Maatoug
Senior policy advisor Politie Nederland -
11:40 Break out session 4 NL Event Time
How to become a resilient leader within your organization
Niek van den Adel
Resilience and change expert -
11:40 Break out session 5 NL
Embodied Flow – Happiness in motion
Hebe Boonzaaijer
Founder In Flow Institute -
12:10 - 12:45
Lunch break
-
13:00 ENG
Happiness Is Our Deepest Nature
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Master -
13:35 ENG
The Power of Action - How to ripple agency and altruism around you
Alex Nunn
Head of Strategy and Programmes at Action for Happiness Global -
14:05 Break out session 6 ENG
Happiness and high performance: finding the sweet spot
Thomas Van Eeckhout
CEO at EASI, a group of Belgian IT companies -
14:05 Break out session 7 ENG
Natural Skills – Our Innate Capacity for Well-Being
Janine Schimmelpenninck
Author, trainer and coach -
14:05 Break out session 8 ENG
The Power of Authentic Leadership in Business & Life
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Master -
15:00 Live via video connection ENG
The Science of Wellbeing
Laurie Santos
Professor of Psychology at Yale and host of The Happiness Lab podcast -
15:35 ENG
Happiness is Serious Business - Why happy teams are successful and how to build them
Nic Marks
Statistician, Speaker and Author -
16:10 ENG
How to Successfully Navigate ANY Challenge & Manifest a Life of Happiness!
Dr. Elia Gourgouris
President of The Happiness Center and podcast host The Happy Hour -
16:45 - 18:00
Closing and drinks!
-
12:10 - 12:45
Lunch break
-
13:00 ENG
Happiness Is Our Deepest Nature
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Master -
13:35 ENG
The Power of Action - How to ripple agency and altruism around you
Alex Nunn
Head of Strategy and Programmes at Action for Happiness Global -
14:05 Break out session 6 ENG
Happiness and high performance: finding the sweet spot
Thomas Van Eeckhout
CEO at EASI, a group of Belgian IT companies -
14:05 Break out session 7 ENG
Natural Skills – Our Innate Capacity for Well-Being
Janine Schimmelpenninck
Author, trainer and coach -
14:05 Break out session 8 ENG
The Power of Authentic Leadership in Business & Life
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Master -
15:00 Live via video connection ENG
The Science of Wellbeing
Laurie Santos
Professor of Psychology at Yale and host of The Happiness Lab podcast -
15:35 ENG
Happiness is Serious Business - Why happy teams are successful and how to build them
Nic Marks
Statistician, Speaker and Author -
16:10 ENG
How to Successfully Navigate ANY Challenge & Manifest a Life of Happiness!
Dr. Elia Gourgouris
President of The Happiness Center and podcast host The Happy Hour -
16:45 - 18:00
Closing and drinks!
€ 395
Afternoon Ticket
Access to afternoon program with English-only sessions (from 12:00 till 17:00).
Access to AFTERNOON sessions
- Includes a luxury lunch, drinks, and appetizers
- Free book "Happiness is Serious Business" including signing by Nic Marks
- Plenty of networking opportunities
€ 495
Early Bird Ticket - Whole day
For quick decision makers (until March 9). Dutch (morning) and English (afternoon) sessions.
Access to ALL sessions - whole day (9:00 - 17:00)
- Includes a luxury lunch, drinks, and appetizers
- Free book "Happiness is Serious Business" including signing by Nic Marks
- Plenty of networking opportunities
€ 595
Late bird ticket - Whole day
For late decision makers (from March 9). Dutch (morning) and English (afternoon) sessions.
Access to ALL sessions - whole day (9:00 - 17:00)
-
Includes a luxury lunch, drinks, and appetizers
-
Free book "Happiness is Serious Business" including signing by Nic Marks
-
Plenty of networking opportunities
Unique Line-up
The Great Happiness Conference
The International Happiness & Well-being Conference in the Netherlands
Laurie Santos
Professor of Psychology at Yale
Nic Marks
Statistician, Speaker, Author
Dr Elia Gourgouris
America's Happiness doctor, President of The Happiness Center and author
Tulku Lobsang Rinpoche
Tibetan Buddhist Master
Alex Nunn
Head of Movement Building at Action for Happiness
Sven Rickli
Pionier Menselijke Revolutie
Niek van den Adel
Spreker, auteur en ondernemer
Erik Schoppen
Trust and Wellbeing Expert
Hebe Boonzaaijer
Oprichter In Flow Instituut
Rene Brouwers
CEO bij Great Place to Work NL
Siham Maatoug
Senior HR bij Politie Nederland
Thomas van Eeckhout
CEO bij Easi, Award winning in Tech
Janine Schimmel-
penninck
Auteur, trainer
en coach
Asha Lalai
Founder Action for Happiness Nederland, Happiness Expert & Host
Frans Appels
Ambassadeur Action for Happiness, Ondernemer en Geluksonderzoeker
Location
Venue Collective
1059 BT Amsterdam
For this special day, we welcome you to one of Amsterdam’s most inspiring event spaces, designed to spark happiness and connection. The setting offers everything we need to dive deep, meet new people, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Easily accessible by car and public transport, the venue offers ample parking and is just minutes away from Schiphol Airport.