Guest in the Spotlight: Jarno van Eijken from Regio Zwolle United

In the section 'Guest in the Spotlight' we share experience stories from our guests. This time we talk with Jarno van Eijken, Regional Connection Coordinator & Event Manager at PEC Zwolle/Regio Zwolle United. 

Regio Zwolle United is inextricably linked to PEC Zwolle. Since 2010, entrepreneurs, governments, and education have been using the power of PEC Zwolle for Regio Zwolle. From this, the ANBI foundation Regio Zwolle United was established in 2014.

PEC Zwolle is a meeting place and a national showcase: Regio Zwolle United facilitates valuable regional meetings (regional connection) and enhances regional appeal by profiling the region (regional branding). "We want to be the beating heart of Regio Zwolle as a football club both in sports, business, and social areas," says Jarno. 

Impactful events

As Regional Connection Coordinator & Event Manager, Jarno establishes (regional and national) connections, maintains contacts, and organizes impactful events. "We seize almost every match to let various target groups experience the power of sports," says Jarno. For example, regional meetings and dinners are organized, where the 4 O's (entrepreneurs, government, education, and social organizations) connect on certain themes, such as logistics, agrifood, plastics, technology, and e-commerce.
In addition, other leading regional events are organized in collaboration with partners, such as the annual Harbor Dinner and last March's Regio Zwolle Day. "In the stadium environment, the Event Center of Lumen is the perfect location to organize this type of event," says Jarno. 

Quick response in a dynamic environment

Around the organization of such events and the many joint social initiatives, there is a lot of contact between Lumen and Regio Zwolle United. About the collaboration with Lumen, Jarno says: "The players on the field play a match and we are teammates in the match around it, that's how I always see it." A pleasant collaboration, where there is always good and quick contact. Which is also desirable in the dynamic environment in which we work, Jarno finds. "Additionally, I also like that we keep challenging each other to elevate our collaboration to a higher level." 

This social collaboration results in many wonderful initiatives. For several years now, Hotel PEC has been organized, where guests can forget their daily worries during a 'PEC weekend'. Eating together in the Bluefinger Restaurant, watching the match from the Charity Box of Clubhouse Regio Zwolle, and then enjoying an overnight stay at Hotel Lumen in the stadium. Another beautiful example is Old Stars Dates; on Valentine's Day, providing a group of single elderly people with a pleasant dinner together.

In the future, RZU wants to further leverage the power of sports in Regio Zwolle. Jarno is convinced that there are still plenty of opportunities to achieve more socio-economic impact. "Sports is uniquely capable of stimulating encounters and realizing impact. We want to continue doing this as a connecting organization, together with involved partners."