At Event Management Group We love people who don’t just dream, but take action. Merijn Sluijsmans, our site manager at Tapijn, is a prime example of this. At the age of twenty, he is the youngest venue manager within the Event Management Group and perhaps even one of the youngest venue managers in the entire region. At Tapijn in Maastricht, he is in complete charge of the venue, from quotations and planning right through to the execution of events. It’s a responsibility that feels like a big one, but above all, it gives him energy. “I consider it an honour to be entrusted with this responsibility at my age. Tapijn is a fantastic venue to run, and I really enjoy doing it.”
From front-of-house staff to the management team
Merijn first started working in the hospitality industry through a temporary employment agency that was run at the time by the entrepreneurial couple Tygo Vranken and Lydia Köppen. When, in 2022, they, together with Danny Keppels, opened the event venue Stadbroeker Mill When he took over the venue in Sittard, he first came into contact with Event Management Group. “I started as a catering assistant on a zero-hours contract, but was given more and more opportunities. Within a short space of time, I progressed within this venue to become operations manager and events manager.”
After Stadbroekermolen, Danny, Tygo and Lydia joined forces with Tom De Lepper and took over Tapijn in Maastricht, a centrally located event venue for 400 people in the heart of the city. It soon became clear that Merijn would play a role in this. “Since 2023, I have been the venue manager at Tapijn and a member of the management team.”
He attributes this rapid growth, in his own words, to trust and opportunities. “For example, Danny has given me plenty of scope to take the next steps. At Event Management Group, they believe in you and let you work to your strengths. I’ve never felt that my young age was a disadvantage. That’s what keeps me motivated.”
Tapijn: urban and industrial in the heart of Maastricht
Situated in Maastricht’s city park and housed in a former barracks, Tapijn is an events venue steeped in history and character. “Urban and industrial are the key words,” explains Merijn. “Don’t expect traditional linen tablecloths; the atmosphere is edgier and a bit rougher around the edges. At the same time, it feels intimate thanks to the various layouts and the flexible lighting and sound facilities.”
With a capacity of up to 400 guests, Tapijn stands out from other venues in the city. “That’s what makes it unique. You can organise large dinners, drinks receptions or parties there without needing much rearrangement, yet it’s also intimate enough for smaller groups. In addition, we work closely with Maastricht University, which owns the building and regularly organises events, lectures and presentations there.”
Collaboration within EMG
What Merijn finds particularly impressive is the way in which the venues within Event Management Group work together. “We have a close-knit network of various venues in the southern Netherlands. If a enquiry is better suited to another venue, we refer it on. That way, we ensure that a client is always well looked after. The whole process is geared towards taking the pressure off clients, from the initial contact right through to the staging of the event. That collaboration is incredibly strong.”
Ambition and the future
Despite his young age, Merijn is already thinking ahead. His dream is to run his own business and manage several sites. “I’ve wanted to do that since I was twelve, and that’s what I’ve always told my parents: one day I’m going to run my own business. At EMG, I’m gaining valuable experience and developing myself further. There are real opportunities here to progress to becoming a shareholder in a venue, and I’m seizing that chance with both hands. My dream venue? An industrial site like Tapijn, situated in the heart of Limburg and suitable for both corporate and private events.”.
Energy from satisfied guests
What Merijn enjoys most is the feedback from clients and guests. “When someone, after a hectic day working flat out, says that everything was well organised and that they’d love to come back, that’s what gives me the most energy.” He derives a great deal of satisfaction from the personal contact, working alongside clients to find solutions, and seeing plans become a reality. “It’s a real thrill, especially when you see that a team-building day or party turns out exactly as the client had envisaged. The compliments we receive through reviews and repeat bookings also confirm that we’re on the right track.”
Events that leave a lasting impression
Merijn looks back with pride on what he has achieved so far, but even more so on what the future holds. For him, Tapijn is not only a special venue in the heart of Maastricht, but also a springboard to realising his own entrepreneurial dream. “What I love most is that here, together, we organise events that people will remember. That’s what I do it for.”
