All Bell ceremonies

Grachtenfestival

Opening of trading marks start of Grachtenfestival

Mandonlin player Ferdinand Binnendijk, winner of the Audience Award of the Grachtenfestival Conservatorium Concours and to be seen and heard at the next Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, opens trading at the Amsterdam exchange. Ferdinand Binnendijk will perform during Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, which takes place from 14 - 23 August.

Themed ‘Expedition’ this year, Grachtenfestival Amsterdam spreads its wings with concerts in not only Amsterdam, but also Zaanstad, Diemen, Muiden, Ouder-Amstel and Amstelveen. The locations of the UNESCO World Heritage Stelling van Amsterdam are a big part of the festival this year. Visitors can also go to concerts at several squares and parks and of course beautiful locations along the canals.

Grachtenfestival Amsterdam is a platform for young musicians from all over the world. During this largest classical music festival in the Netherlands, they treat young and old to unique concerts. The complete program consist of over 250 concerts at more than 90 locations.

For more information: www.grachtenfestival.com

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UNICEF youth participation

UNICEF sounds gong to promote youth participation

King of the Youth Stijn Harder and UNICEF director Jan Bouke Wijbrandi open the Amsterdam exchange on International Youth Day. By sounding the gong they symbolically ask attention for the right of youth participation, Wijbrandi explains: "According to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, children have the right to express their opinion. Adults should take their insights and ideas seriously. "

15-year-old Harder is 2015 King of the Youth and explores the situation of children in the Netherlands. He talks about his findings on Kleine Prinsjesdag, traditionally held in the Ridderzaal the Friday before Budget Day.

UNICEF encourages young people to have a voice in politics, but also in business. UNICEF Netherlands and the Missing Chapter Foundation have joined forced to stimulate organizations to set up a Children’s Council. These children advise Management Boards on existing dilemmas.

For more information: www.unicef.nl

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Amsterdam Institute of Finance

Amsterdam Institute of Finance visits Beursplein 5

Amsterdam Institute of Finance (AIF) visits Beursplein 5 with the participants of the Master of Science in Risk Management for Executives program, a Master’s program aimed at professionals in Risk Management. This program is spread over several modules and is held in New York, Amsterdam and Abu Dhabi over the course of one year. The program is offered in collaboration with NYU Stern School of Business.

AIF is a foundation specialized in providing high-level financial training for finance and other professionals. Located in Amsterdam, AIF was established in 1990 as an initiative of the Dutch financial community. Since then, AIF has built a strong presence worldwide for its open enrollment programs as well as its custom made in-company training.

For more information: www.aif.nl

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KiKa Foundation

Stichting KiKa sounds gong to call attention to childhood cancer research

Children Cancer Free Foundation (KiKa) visits Beursplein 5 and opens trading. Lisanne Spaander sounds the gong.

Lisanne, currently under treatment for childhood cancer, has released a CD single. Lisanne sings the song “Vechtersbaas” (Fighter) to put her emotions into words. In addition, she wants to help others to stay positive. Lisanne has completed the toughest part of her treatment. She will receive several treatments until October, after which she hopes to be done.

Kika funds research on childhood cancer. At this time, 75% of the children with cancer are cured. That's good, but not good enough. KiKa aims to increase the cure rate to 95% in 2025. To achieve this, there is still much costly research required.

For more information: www.kika.nl

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Startupbootcamp sounds the gong for startup city Amsterdam

Amsterdam has entered the top 20 of best startup cities worldwide. For this occasion, co-founder of startup-accelerator Startupbootcamp Ruud Hendriks, sounds the gong at the Amsterdam Exchange.

Startupbootcamp is active is eight cities across the world and offers startups a 3-month accelerator program to grow their business and attract investors. The next program in Amsterdam focuses purely on the E-commerce industry. The 10 participating E-commerce teams will be presented on the 9th of September after an intense selection process.  The program officially kicks off on 12 October.

The exchange and entrepreneurship go hand in hand. Euronext plays an important role in financing the real economy. With its subsidiary Enternext, she supports entrepreneurs in their growth - along with industry partners - to develop funding initiatives in the form of loans and bonds to increase visibility of listed, medium-sized enterprises.

For more information: www.startupbootcamp.org

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Dutch men’s basketball team and TEAMKPN Sports Fund open trading

The Dutch men's basketball team opens trading to celebrate the first participation in the European Championships since 1989. Team captain Arvin Slagter sounds the gong in the company of a delegation of sponsor TEAMKPN Sports Fund.

Euronext listed company KPN (ticker symbol: KPN) has established TEAMKPN Sports Fund to temporarily support outstanding sport performances. Until 2018, it annually makes up to 200 thousand euros available to teams.

The European Championship Basketball is played in four different countries and will take place from 5 to 20 September. The Netherlands plays its five matches in the group stage in Zagreb. On 5 September the Dutch team plays Georgia in its first match. The final will be played on 20 September in Lille.

For more information: www.oranjebasketball.com

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Net4kids launches new campaign ‘”Small is of great significance’’ at Beursplein 5

Odette van Zijdveld, Managing Director, sounds the gong at Beursplein 5 and opens trading. On this occasion Net4kids launches its new advertising campaign "Small is of great significance". The campaign was developed pro bono by Havas Boondoggle Amsterdam and aims to show entrepreneurs and businesses that a small contribution can be of great significance. The campaign uses recognizable logos of companies and literally takes a piece out of it. With this Net4kids concretely show what one piece can do for one child.

Net4kids is a Business-to-Business platform for impactful support for children, where specific children's aid projects in Africa and Asia are directly and permanently connected to project investors. Net4kids stands for children's aid business in Asia and Africa and soon in the Netherlands. The foundation believes that a better world starts with children.

For more information: www.net4kids.org/en

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Sounding of the gong by Pluk de Nacht Foundation marks start of open air film festival

Pluk de Nacht Foundation sounds the gong at Beursplein 5 and kicks off the 12th edition of the open-air film festival. Visitors of Pluk de Nacht can enjoy plenty of (inter)national feature films, short films, documentaries and animations that have hardly been shown in Dutch cinemas. Precisely these films deserve an accessible way to reach a large audience, according to the group of film lovers who founded the Pluk de Nacht Foundation.

From 5 to 15 August, Pluk de Nacht shows 15 films in Amsterdam. From 20 to 22 August the film festival is located in Arnhem. The tour ends in Utrecht, from 26 to 29 August.

For more information: www.plukdenacht.nl

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Sports enthusiasts sound gong for KNGF guide dogs

A sporty group accompanied by two guide dogs open trading to mark the start of International Assistance Dog Week. Sounding the gong also symbolically launches the fundraising activities during the “Dam tot Damloop”. Nineteen runners, including five runners with a visual impairment, will work up a sweat during the 31st edition of the “Dam tot Damloop” for the benefit of the guide dogs of the Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation. The runners raise money for each completed kilometre, and the proceeds will be used for the expensive training of the guide dogs.

“The Assistance Dog Week is used worldwide to give the guide dogs the attention they deserve. It is a good moment to symbolically kick off this sportive fundraising activity for dogs with a mission by sounding the gong” says Ellen Greve, director of the Royal Dutch Guide Dog Foundation.

For more information:  www.geleidehond.nl

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Sounding of the gong kicks off 80th edition of Sneekweek

Jaitie Dijkstra, Vice-President of the Royal Water Sports Association of Sneek (KWS), sounds the gong and kicks off the 80^th edition of the Sneekweek, the biggest sailing event on inland waterways in Europe.

From 1-6 August, over 1800 participants compete in 35 different sailing classes for a spot on the highest podium. The organization of the event is in the hands of the Royal Water Sports Association of Sneek. The sailing competitions take place daily at the Sneekermeer, where more than 100 volunteers from KWS will ensure that the sailing events run smoothly. The KWS is financially supported by a number of large nationally operating organizations. Main sponsor is Lipton Ice Tea, a brand of the Euronext listed company Unilever (ticker symbol: UNIA), with sub sponsors Brunel, Heineken, Rabobank, Gaastra Pro Gear, Snakeware, Sony and Veenema Oliehandel.

For more information: www.sneekweek.nl

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Amsterdam Gay Pride and KPN sound gong for freedom and equality

Director of the Amsterdam Gay Pride Lucien Spee sounds the gong to open trading and to call attention to human rights in general, and the acceptance and equality of LHBTI’s in particular.

The Amsterdam Gay Pride is being held for the 20th time. A big celebration with an impressive plea for the emancipation of the gay, lesbian-, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities. For nine days, more than 160 events are held in the field of debate, art, theater, film, (dance) parties and sports. The theme for 2015 is 'Share'.

This year the so-called KPN Pride Stream Boat participates in the famous boat parade; a special boat equipped with a 360 degrees streaming camera. Through this camera, for both video and audio, the entire Parade Float can be experienced. The Pride Stream can be followed via pridestream.org and is an initiative of Euronext listed company KPN (ticker symbol: KPN). With its brand mission "feel free", KPN wants people to experience that technology does not make life more detached but kinder. KPN is proud partner of the Amsterdam Gay Pride, which lasts until 2 August 2015.

For more information: www.pride.amsterdam

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Dutch Burns Foundation sounds the gong for safe barbecuing

The Dutch Burns Foundation sounds the gong to call attention to the dangers of flammable liquids when barbecuing. The summer months of June, July and August are dedicated to safe barbecuing.

Beautiful weather unfortunately means busy times in the three Dutch Burn Centers in Groningen, Rotterdam and Beverwijk. Flammable liquids such as alcohol, bio-ethanol and white-spirit are used to light up barbecues and fire pits. What many people do not know is that the gas cloud is the most dangerous. When you open a bottle of flammable liquid, a gas cloud arises. This gas cloud lingers in the air. If one spark of fire comes in the gas cloud, it creates a dangerous fire. The consequences are severe: someone gets caught by the flash fire, catches fire and is marked for life.

Yearly, more than 750 people are hospitalized in a Dutch burn center for a lenghty period of time. 15.4% of the sustained injuries are related to flammable liquids. The Dutch Burns Foundation warns that the only way to light up your barbecue safely is with firelighters. The Dutch burn centers and the Dutch Burns Foundation together strive for zero barbecue victims. 

For mor information: www.brandwondenstichting.nl/bbqveilig

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Sounding of the gong kicks off Boskalis Beach Cleanup Tour

The North Sea Foundation kicks off the Boskalis Beach Cleanup Tour. Interim managing director Arriën Kuyt sounds the gong accompanied by a delegation of Euronext listed main sponsor Boskalis (ticker symbol: BOKA).

The North Sea Foundation’s Boskalis Beach Cleanup Tour starts on 1 August. Nearly 1000 volunteers have already registered to help remove all trash from the Dutch North Sea coast from 1-27 August.

The beaches are covered in litter; an average of 400 items are found on every 100 meters of beach. Apart from beach visitors, the shipping industry also impacts the state of the beaches. When the trash ends up in the sea, it poses a threat to marine life. On an annual basis, more than 1 million marine animals die due to the ‘plastic soup’.

The Boskalis Beach Cleanup Tour is organised by the North Sea Foundation, the environmental organisation that focuses on sustainable use of the North Sea. Since the first edition in 2013, 26,668 kilos of waste have been removed from the Dutch beaches thanks to the help of 2,000 volunteers.

For more information: www.beachcleanuptour.nl

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Dutch Climate Coalition sounds the gong for a climate-neutral future

The Dutch Climate Coalition sounds the gong for a climate-neutral future. Central to this event is the call to companies, government institutions and NGOs to join the Climate Coalition.

The Dutch Climate Coalition was initiated by MVO Nederland, Natuur & Milieu, Klimaatverbond Nederland and the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment. Together with other organisations, the Climate Coalition aims to accelerate the realisation of a climate-neutral society. As many as 250 organisations, (government) institutions and NGOs have joined the Climate Coalition since its foundation. All parties have agreed to implement a climate-neutral company policy by the year 2050.

For more information:  www.klimaatcoalitie.nl

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Winners ING Trading Game open trading on Beursplein 5

The winners of ING Trading Game open trading on Beursplein 5 by sounding the gong.

ING customers could participate in the online ING Trading Game for four weeks. In the ING Trading Game, players could practice investing safely and without any risk. This happened with fictional amounts, but with true, real-time rates. In the game, players had a Fund Portfolio and Trading Portfolio at their disposal where they could deal in stocks, options, ETFs and Sprinters. The aim was to achieve the highest possible score range within the Portfolio Funds.

For more information:www.ingbeursspel.nl

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Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan and RBC Capital Markets visits Amsterdam exchange

A delegation of the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (OTPP) and RBC Capital Markets visits the Amsterdam Exchange and opens trading. They visit Euronext as the primary exchange in the eurozone to get acquainted with the European market. Brad Darling, Portfolio Manager at OTPP, sounds the gong. 

Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan is Canada’s largest single-profession pension plan with $154.5 billion in net assets and invests on behalf of 311,000 working and retired teachers, based in Toronto and with investment offices in New York, London and Hong Kong.

RBC Capital Markets is the corporate and investment banking arm of the Royal Bank of Canada, the 4th largest bank in North America by market capitalization. With over 7,000 professionals in 15 countries, RBC Capital Markets delivers their products and services to clients in over 100 countries through operations across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region.

For more information: www.rbccm.com 

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Sounding of the gong marks finals week of the 2015 Summer Competition

Organized for the 8^th consecutive year, the Summer Competition is a sporting event for companies in the Amsterdam area. Head of Athletics & Operations, Pieter-Bas Bentinck, sounds the gong and marks the finals week of the 2015 Summer Competition.

The event is a business competition in soccer and field hockey, in which more than 100 companies from the Amsterdam region participate. During more than 20 competition days between 2 June and 31 July, teams play for the 2015 football and hockey title. In addition to the sporting aspect of the Summer Competition, it provides an informal networking platform where participating companies, sponsors and young professionals meet. A social contribution is made by donating 10% of sales to the Kadish Foundation.

For more information: www.zomercompetitie.com

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IMCD celebrates introduction of Spotlight options by sounding the gong

IMCD celebrates the launch of Spotlight options on its shares (ticker symbol: IMD) by opening trading at Beursplein 5. Investor Relations Manager Carina Hamaker sounds the gong.

With a supplier base of more than 1,600 suppliers, 28,000 customers and a product portfolio of approximately 24,000 products, IMCD is a leading international company in sales, marketing and distribution of specialty chemicals, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients. With over 1500 high-calibre professionals in Europe, United States, Africa, Asia-Pacific and Brazil, IMCD offers a combination of local understanding backed by an impressive international infrastructure.

For more information: www.imcdgroup.com

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