My name is Emma Zeijlemaker. I am from Terschelling and during the summer you can usually find me outdoors!

I am Eke and I have been living on the island for over five years now. I am a big fan of warm weather and therefore love spending time at the beach in summer.

How did you end up at WestCord Hotels / Island Events?

Emma: Almost two years ago I heard about a vacancy for the position of Island Events Intern, which I then applied for. After a few months I was able to start. My internship went well and was successful for both sides! Since then I have continued working in the department as an Island Events Coordinator.

Eke: A friend of mine worked for the company on the island. During the COVID period I was looking for a new job. Through her I ended up at ApartHotel Boschrijck, where I worked for several months. After that I moved to Island Events for a while, then progressed into a Supervisor position at the reception. And now I’m back at Island Events again!

What was a special or challenging event for you?

Emma: Because I haven’t been working in the department for very long yet, I find all events special. Delivering exactly what the client asks for remains a challenge with every request, small or large!

Eke: For me it was by far Kongsberg. That was mainly because a lot still had to be arranged behind the scenes on very short notice. From small things like evening entertainment to big things like arranging buses from Schiphol Airport. All of this had to be planned within a month, whereas normally you would have months. That really required quick thinking and was very challenging! In the end it was a big success and we look back on it positively.

“During the summer the island really comes alive and there’s so much to do. It’s incredibly fun!”

How would you describe the atmosphere on the Wadden Islands to someone who has never been there?

Together: Many people think there isn’t much to do on Terschelling, but with festivals like Oerol or other parties, it turns into one big celebration. You can seek out the hustle and bustle and go out together, but also find peace and quiet in nature. Winter is more for the islanders, because then we have more time for each other instead of for tourists. That makes for a beautiful balance.

What does your day look like? (from arrival to departure)

Together: Our days can look very different. On a normal office day we start with a meeting to discuss open requests. After that, you work on each request individually. You prepare quotations, handle confirmations and deposits, and maintain contact with partners on the island. On days when groups are staying with us, we welcome them at the harbor, stay in constant contact with partners, and are present on location to make sure everything runs smoothly.

What is your favorite moment during an event (preparation, setup, execution, aftercare)?

Emma: My favorite moment is the arrival of the group. Everyone is energetic, excited, and about to have a great time. I really enjoy that!

Eke: Within the group there is always a contact person with whom you set up the entire event. There is often a lot of contact, and you can really build a bond with that person. I like that a lot!

What are your best tips for a successful event?

Emma: By looking at the possibilities together with the group, we can keep things clear and ensure that everything we offer really fits the group. In practice, this means a lot of contact during the preparation phase, which is very enjoyable!

Eke: You should keep an event human. Just nice, approachable contact with each other. If communication is smooth, you’re more likely to quickly pick up the phone for small things without it feeling heavy. And if something goes wrong, you can act quickly and look for a solution together.

How do you keep things fun within the team, even during the most hectic moments?

Emma: We decorate our office with funny memes so we keep laughing, haha.

Eke: We all experience the same things within the department, so we can vent to each other without anyone thinking it’s strange, haha.

How would your colleagues describe you, or which three compliments would they give you?

Emma: Impulsive, enthusiastic, solution-oriented.

Eke: Organized, Canva queen, thoughtful.