9/12/26

A Room with a Zoo
Antwerp

FIT FOR THE FUTURE

The future of IT is being shaped today — by leaders and projects that drive real impact. Submit your project now and join us live on 9 December in Antwerp!

9/12/26

A Room with a Zoo
Antwerp

FIT FOR THE FUTURE

The future of IT is being shaped today — by leaders and projects that drive real impact. Submit your project now and join us live on 9 December in Antwerp!

Awards

ICT / Digital Project of the Year

Have you delivered a digital project that truly made a difference? This award recognises successfully completed ICT projects that combine technological innovation with clear business impact — across all sectors and organisations, large or small.
What matters is not the scale of the project, but the value it creates. From ambitious transformations to smart, focused solutions, the jury looks for initiatives that demonstrably strengthen the organisation.
Projects must be recently completed and show tangible results, and are evaluated by a professional and academic jury based on innovation, execution and business relevance.

CIO of the Year

Who will succeed Inge Opreel as CIO of the Year? Each year, Data News selects three outstanding CIOs who combine strategic vision, leadership and technological impact, and puts them to the vote of both jury and audience.
The winner is chosen by a professional jury and public voting, reflecting both expert insight and recognition from the wider industry.
Do you know a CIO who deserves this recognition?

Event

Are you fit for the future? In a world where technology never stands still, staying ahead requires more than vision alone. This year’s theme, Fit for the Future, takes inspiration from the mindset of top athletes — resilience, focus and the ability to perform under pressure.
Throughout the evening, we bring that perspective into the world of IT leadership, with insights from both digital leaders and a selection of inspiring voices from the world of sport. 
Join us live to experience the energy of the night and be there as the winners take the stage to receive their awards.

When

Wednesday December 9th 2026

Programme

16h45: Welcome reception
18h15: Break-out sessions
18h45: Award ceremony
19h45: Seated dinner
23h00: Closing

Venue

A Room with a ZOO
Koningin Astridplein 20
2018 Antwerp

Getting there

Dresscode

Business

Register

Want to meet the nominees?
Join us on December 9th at A Room with a Zoo, Antwerp.

IN LOVE WITH OUR EVENTS?

Want to stay in the loop on all our Trends DataNews events (like calls for applications, voting, sign-ups, and more)?

Jury

The specialist jury includes representatives from the academic world, the business world and the editorial team.
Van der Stadt Kristof
Editor-in-Chief Data News, President of the Jury
Ataya Georges
Professor at Solvay Brussels School
Bellens Els
Editor at Data News
Boers Karen
Managing Director ARI - AI Center for the Common Good van VUB & ULB
Bossuwé Stefan
Co-Founder, former President & current Ambassador IIBA Brussels Chapter
Cuypers Erik
President MIT Club
Deschoolmeester Dirk
Professor at UGent, Chairman FBVI-FAIB
Goethals Geert
Former president of the Advisory Board of CIONET Belgium
Golvers Luc
Chairman BELCLIV
Hucq Benoît
General Manager Digital Wallonia, Agence du Numérique
Jacobs Danielle
Director Beltug
Laeremans Elke
CIO of the Year 2021
Lemeire Guido
CIO of the Year 2020
Nzabonimana Egide
President Isaca Belgian Chapter
Steukers Bart
Director Agoria
Swalens An
CIO of the Year 2023, CIO Nationale Bank van België
Tempels Martine
ICT Woman of the Year 2012
Tiberghien Jacques
Professor at VUB
Vael Marc
President SAI
Van Belle Philippe
CIO of the Year 2022, CIO AG Insurance
van den Hove Daniel
Co-president Cercle du Numérique, Lecturer at Solvay Brussels School
Van Dyck Barbara
Program Director AMS
Van Uffelen Saskia
Digital Champion Belgium
Verstraelen Erwin
CIO of the Year 2018, CIO Port of Antwerp
Viaene Stijn
Professor & Partner Vlerick Business School

CIO of the Year

The winner in the CIO of the Year category will be decided by the jury, as well as by the readers of Trends DataNews (online voting).

Digital Project of the Year

The professional & academic jury will decide upon the final winners

Hall of fame

2025

Inge Opreel
Farys
  Editorial

2024

Antonietta Mastroianni
Proximus
  Editorial

2023

An Swalens
National Bank of Belgium
  Editorial

2022

Philippe Van Belle
AG Insurance
  Editorial

2021

Elke Laeremans
CIO/COO Torfs
  Editorial

2020

Guido Lemeire
NMBS – SNCB
  Editorial

2019

Filip Michiels
TUI (Western Region)
  Editorial

2018

Erwin Verstraelen
Port of Antwerp
  Editorial

2017

Bjorn Van Reet
Kinepolis Group
  Editorial

2016

Herman De Prins
UCB
  Editorial

2015

Peter Bal
Wabco
  Editorial

2014

Veerle Lozie
Melexis
  Editorial

2013

Cécile Gonfroid
RTBF
  Editorial

2012

Luc Verbist
De Persgroep
  Editorial

2011

Sabine Everaet
Coca-Cola Europe
  Editorial

2010

Daniel Lebeau
GSK
  Editorial

2009

Chris De Backer
TomTom
  Editorial

2008

Freddy Van den Wyngaert
Agfa
  Editorial

Contact

PARTNER POSSIBILITIES

DAISY JUVIJNS

Project manager
+32 475 89 66 47
daisy.juvijns@roularta.be

INVOICING

Roularta Invoicing Events
invoicing.events@roularta.be

MIEKE KNABBEN

Event Manager
+32 473 52 49 71
mieke.knabben@roularta.be

PARTNER POSSIBILITIES

The Trends DataNews CIO of the Year is more than just an event — it’s where the ICT community comes together to celebrate, connect, and inspire. As a sponsor, you position your company as a thought leader within the vibrant IT ecosystem, linking your brand to innovation and excellence in the industry.

This isn’t just about visibility on the night itself. Your presence will resonate throughout the entire journey — from the lead-up to the event, through captivating moments during the awards, and in the conversations and content that follows. With opportunities to showcase your expertise, share insights, and engage with key stakeholders, your company will be center stage in driving the dialogue that shapes the future of ICT.

MORE INFORMATION OR INTERESTED IN SPONSORING?
marijke.druppel@roularta.be
+32 499 94 21 40

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