Events dEVENTer
Events dEVENTer is a Dutch cultural foundation (Stichting dEVENTer) that organizes three flagship annual events in Deventer — Deventer Op Stelten, Deventer Boekenmarkt, and Dickens Festijn — drawing more than 300,000 visitors annually, and manages venues, equipment rental, and a city carillonneur service.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1997
- HeadquartersDeventer, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Events dEVENTer does
Events dEVENTer (legal entity: Stichting dEVENTer) is a Dutch cultural foundation headquartered in Deventer, Overijssel, that organizes large-scale cultural city events. The organization operates three flagship annual events: Deventer Op Stelten (an international outdoor theatre festival drawing 125,000 visitors over three days in July), Deventer Boekenmarkt (the largest book market in Europe, with more than 850 book stalls along a 6-kilometer route and 120,000–125,000 visitors), and the Dickens Festijn (a Dickensian Christmas event recognized by the Dickens Museum London as the largest Dickens festival in the world, attracting approximately 125,000 visitors). Together these events welcome more than 300,000 visitors annually, drawing audiences from Deventer (18–55% across events), the rest of the Netherlands (40–68%), and a small international contingent (5–8%).
The organization operates as a lean non-profit with 10 core staff supplemented by hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Beyond its three flagship events, Events dEVENTer manages a portfolio of cultural infrastructure assets: the Bergkerk (a historic 13th-century church venue available for concerts, exhibitions, and conferences), the FACE technical equipment rental pool serving amateur arts associations in Overijssel, the De Ruimte artist residency program, and the stadsbeiaardier (city carillonneur) service for Deventer and Bathmen (since February 2020). The organization holds ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) status as a Dutch public benefit institution.
The revenue model is diversified across ticket sales (e.g., €6 per person for Dickens Festijn, with children up to 7 free), vendor stand placements using a partge revenue-share model (15% on revenue up to €5,000; 20% above; minimum daily rates of €275–€495), corporate sponsorship packages at multiple tiers (Hoofdsponsor, Goud, Zilver, Brons), Bergkerk venue rental, and FACE equipment rental. The organization supplements earned revenue with funding from public sector partners (Gemeente Deventer, Province of Overijssel, Fonds Podium Kunsten, Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Overijssel) and corporate sponsors (Grolsch, Pillows Hotels, Postillion Hotels, Drukwerkdeal, Trivium Packaging, Witteveen+Bos, among others). Annual turnover exceeds €1.2 million. Governance is provided by a five-member unpaid Supervisory Board chaired by Haico Meijerink, with Martijn Westerbrink serving as Directeur-bestuurder.
Events dEVENTer firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Events dEVENTer
- Legal name
- Stichting dEVENTer
- Website
- https://eventsdeventer.nl
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1997
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Events dEVENTer is a Dutch cultural foundation (Stichting dEVENTer) that organizes three flagship annual events in Deventer — Deventer Op Stelten, Deventer Boekenmarkt, and Dickens Festijn — drawing more than 300,000 visitors annually, and manages venues, equipment rental, and a city carillonneur service.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Events dEVENTer industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Cultural Event Management
- NAICS
- Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (711), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)
- SIC
- Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Consumer & Public Shows (B2C) Organizers (THAHABAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations (MPAGALAG), Multipurpose Event Center Operations (Civic Centers, Community Event Complexes) (MPAGALAE), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)
Keywords
Where Events dEVENTer is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Deventer
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices3 records
Markets served
Events dEVENTer business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets for specific performances at events like Deventer Op Stelten.
- Vendor/Stand Fees: Participation fees from vendors, food trucks, and stalls at events. Fees are based on a partage (revenue share) model with minimum daily rates.
- Sponsorship: Corporate sponsorship packages at various levels (Head Sponsor, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Ambassador) providing visibility, tickets, and advertising opportunities.
- Bergkerk Venue Rental: Rental income from hiring out the Bergkerk for concerts, exhibitions, conferences, lectures, and diploma ceremonies.
- FACE Equipment Rental: Rental of technical facilities including lighting, sound, stages and other theater/event equipment to amateur associations, non-profit organizations, schools, and cultural institutions at reduced rates.
- Annual Revenue: The organization has a year turnover of more than €1.2 million. Numerous funds and sponsors support the programming.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Dickens Festijn admission: €6 per person, children up to 7 years free |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Vendor stand placement using partage (revenue share) model |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
Events dEVENTer product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Events dEVENTer organizes and produces large-scale cultural city events in the historic center of Deventer, including the Deventer Op Stelten international outdoor theatre festival, the Deventer Boekenmarkt (Europe's largest book market), and the Dickens Festijn Christmas event. The foundation additionally manages the Bergkerk venue, operates the FACE equipment rental pool for amateur arts, runs the De Ruimte artist residency, and employs the city carillonneur. Revenue comes from ticket sales, vendor participation fees, corporate sponsorships, venue and equipment rentals, and cultural grants.
Product overview
Events dEVENTer is an event management organization that operates as a single integrated offering rather than a modular platform. The core portfolio consists of three flagship cultural city events: the Deventer Op Stelten outdoor theatre festival, the Deventer Boekenmarkt (largest book market in Europe), and the Dickens Festijn (Dickensian Christmas event). Supporting operations include venue management of the historic Bergkerk church, the FACE technical equipment rental pool for amateur arts, the De Ruimte artist residency program, and the stadsbeiaardier (city carillonneur) service. The organization also offers corporate sponsorship packages tied to its major events. Together these services position Deventer as a prominent cultural events city.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Deventer Op Stelten Internationally renowned outdoor theatre festival featuring over 150 national and international artists performing across the historic city center over three days in July. First held in 1997, the festival attracts 125,000 visitors annually and offers free general admission with ticketed reserved performances.
- Deventer Boekenmarkt The largest book market in Europe, held annually on the first Sunday of August, featuring over 850 book stalls spanning 6 kilometers across the historic city center and along the IJssel river. The event attracts approximately 120,000-125,000 visitors and is free to attend.
- Dickens Festijn One of the most prominent Christmas events in the Netherlands, held in the week before Christmas, where the world of Charles Dickens comes to life in Deventer's historic center. The event features reenactments of Dickensian characters and includes a Christmas market, attracting approximately 125,000 visitors over two days. Admission is €6 per person; children up to 7 years are admitted free.
- Bergkerk Venue Rental Historic church venue (St. Nicolaaskerk/Bergkerk) managed by dEVENTer as a cultural venue for exhibitions, concerts, and events. The 13th-century church is one of the largest covered spaces in Deventer's city center and is available for hire for concerts, exhibitions, conferences, and lectures.
- FACE Equipment Rental Technical equipment rental pool for amateur arts and cultural events, including lighting, sound, stages, and other theatre/event technical equipment. Operated as a 'pooldepot' of the Prins Bernhard Cultuurfonds Overijssel, providing equipment at rates well below commercial tariffs for Overijssel-based amateur associations, schools, and cultural institutions.
- De Ruimte Artist Residency Residency project for cultural makers from Deventer and surrounding area, providing approximately one month of free workspace and living accommodation in the city center. Located at Nieuwstraat 38 in Deventer, the project offers makers a visible space to work and present their art to the public.
- Stadsbeiaardier (City Carillonneur) City carillonneur service maintaining and playing the carillons in Deventer and Bathmen, in service since February 1, 2020. The stadsbeiaardier also introduces primary school children to these instruments and provides livestreams to care homes in Bathmen.
- Corporate Sponsorship Packages Corporate sponsorship packages at various tiers (Hoofdsponsor/Main Sponsor, Goud/Gold, Zilver/Silver, Brons/Bronze) offering visibility benefits including tickets, advertisements in festival publications, logo placement on websites and event materials, and guest passes for the organization's three major events.
Quantifiable outcome
- 300,000+ annual visitors across all events
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Events dEVENTer
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
Events dEVENTer technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Events dEVENTer partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, secondary and minor.
- Gemeente Deventer (Municipality of Deventer)coreThe municipality of Deventer is a key partner supporting Events dEVENTer's mission to position Deventer as a prominent events city. The municipality collaborates on city marketing and cultural programming.
- Provinciale Staten OverijsselmajorProvince of Overijssel provides support as a key regional partner.
- Deventer SchouwburgcoreLocal theater partner for ticket sales (via Ticketmatic) and program collaboration.
- BRUTsecondaryCollaboration on De Ruimte artist residency project.
- KunstenlabsecondaryCollaboration on De Ruimte artist residency project.
- Deventer SchouwburgcoreKey cultural partner in Deventer with ongoing, non-optional collaboration for cultural programming.
- MimiksecondaryLocal cultural organization collaborating in the cultural ecosystem.
- BurgerweeshuiscoreTicket sales partner (via Stager) and cultural venue partner.
- TheaterschipsecondaryTheater ship venue partner.
- Bibliotheek DeventersecondaryLibrary partner in cultural programming.
- KunstenlabsecondaryLocal arts organization in the network.
- KunstcircuitsecondaryArts circuit organization.
- podium De HipsecondaryLocal podium/music venue.
- Deventer VerhaalsecondaryStorytelling/heritage organization.
- GrolschminorBrewery sponsor for events.
- NV BergkwartierminorBergkwartier neighborhood development corporation.
- Pillows HotelsminorHotel partner for event hospitality.
- Postillion HotelsminorHotel partner for event hospitality.
- Raad van Toezicht (Supervisory Board)coreFive-member Supervisory Board: Hr. H. (Haico) Meijerink (Chairman), Mw. M. (Marieke) Langenberg, Mw. P. (Priscilla) Fürrer, Mw. V. (Vera) Nijhuis, Hr. M. (Maurice) Tepperik. All positions are unpaid.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Events dEVENTer competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Stichting Zwarte Cross: Dutch foundation organizing one of the Netherlands' largest outdoor cultural festivals combining music and arts. Directly comparable for outdoor multi-day festival execution, foundation governance, and volunteer-driven model.
- Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society: International cultural festival organizer managing the world's largest arts festival. Comparable as a non-profit society running a multi-week cultural event with deep municipal ties and multi-revenue-stream model.
- Stichting Mysteryland: Major Dutch festival foundation organizing one of the Netherlands' flagship music festivals. Comparable for foundation governance, large-scale outdoor event production, and multi-tier sponsorship and ticket revenue model.
- Stichting Holland Festival: Netherlands' premier performing arts festival foundation in Amsterdam. Directly comparable as a Dutch cultural festival foundation combining public funding, sponsorship, and ticketed programming around multiple flagship cultural offerings.
- Stichting North Sea Jazz: Major Dutch music/cultural festival foundation in Rotterdam. Directly comparable for its foundation structure, large-scale festival execution, mixed ticketing and sponsorship revenue, and reliance on municipal and corporate partnerships.
- Stichting Oerol: Dutch cultural festival foundation organizing the Terschelling arts festival. Directly comparable as a non-profit cultural foundation running a single iconic multi-day outdoor arts event with hundreds of volunteers and ANBI-equivalent status.
Broad incumbents
- Salzburg Festival Foundation: Austrian cultural festival foundation running one of the world's most prestigious performing arts festivals. Comparable foundation structure, public funding reliance, and iconic event brand, but at a much larger scale and international profile.
Regional players
- Stichting Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel: Regional Dutch cultural festival foundation running the Overijssel Liberation Day festival. Comparable foundation structure and regional cultural event focus within the same province (Overijssel).
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Events dEVENTer social profiles
Digital presenceEvents dEVENTer financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Events dEVENTer leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles16 records
Events dEVENTer funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Events dEVENTer M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Events dEVENTer
What does Events dEVENTer do?
Events dEVENTer organizes and produces large-scale cultural city events in the historic center of Deventer, including the Deventer Op Stelten international outdoor theatre festival, the Deventer Boekenmarkt (Europe's largest book market), and the Dickens Festijn Christmas event. The foundation additionally manages the Bergkerk venue, operates the FACE equipment rental pool for amateur arts, runs the De Ruimte artist residency, and employs the city carillonneur. Revenue comes from ticket sales, vendor participation fees, corporate sponsorships, venue and equipment rentals, and cultural grants.
Is Events dEVENTer a public or private company?
Events dEVENTer is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Events dEVENTer founded?
Events dEVENTer was founded in 1997. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Events dEVENTer based?
Events dEVENTer is headquartered in Deventer, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does Events dEVENTer make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Ticket Sales are the primary driver. The others are vendor/Stand Fees, sponsorship, bergkerk Venue Rental, FACE Equipment Rental and annual Revenue.
Who are Events dEVENTer's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Stichting Zwarte Cross, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Stichting Mysteryland, Stichting Holland Festival, Stichting North Sea Jazz and Stichting Oerol. Salzburg Festival Foundation is listed as a broad incumbent. Stichting Bevrijdingsfestival Overijssel is listed as a regional player.
Does Events dEVENTer have an API?
No public API is recorded for Events dEVENTer.
What industry is Events dEVENTer in?
Events dEVENTer's product category is Cultural Event Management. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAHABAC, Consumer & Public Shows (B2C) Organizers, with a secondary code of MPAGALAG, Outdoor Amphitheater & Open-Air Venue Operations. Its NAICS code is 71131 and its SIC code is 7990.