Below you can see the timetable of the Fontys IT Festival. Click on an item for more information!
| Location: | Outdoor area |
| Time: | From 17:00 till 21:00 |
Karaoke caravan
From the outside it is an ordinary caravan, but inside it is one big party. There you are: in the smallest brown pub in the world. From a bar stool, you only have to do one thing: unabashedly sing along with Dutch hits and classics!
Photobooth caravan
Immortalise your smile the special photobooth caravan. With music and goofiness, one of the uncles or aunts will put you in the right mood for a fantastic photobooth. Of course, including themed props for an extra festive picture!
| Location: | Outdoor area |
| Time: | From 17:00 till 21:00 |
| Location: | Foodtruck Area |
| Time: | From 17:30 till 20:00 |
Taste the flavour of dishes from different world cuisines. Enjoy and relax!
| Location: | Foodtruck Area |
| Time: | From 17:30 till 20:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 2.30 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
Experience a completely new VR experience where you sit with multiple people in the same VR environment.
Running a restaurant
‘Your order is ready!’. Form a team with your friends and satisfy the hunger of the residents. Keeping the guests happy takes a pinch of cooperation, a dose of communication and handfuls of rush-haste!
Shooting zombies
The apocalypse is here! You and your colleagues make a last stand to defend against the undead. You get 30 seconds to prepare your defences and choose your weapons before the zombies attack.
Archery
Orcs, goblins and a menacing dragon are out to destroy the sacred tree! You and your group of heroes have been summoned to stop this evil and bring peace to the elven kingdom.
VR Escape Room!
Experience an adventurous and exciting VR escaperoom where you are challenged to escape by solving puzzles and riddles.
| Location: | R10 - 2.30 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 4.60 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 4.60 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 4.60 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:30 |
| Location: | R10 - 4.60 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:30 |
| Location: | Tent |
| Time: | From 17:30 till 21:00 |
| Location: | Tent |
| Time: | From 17:30 till 21:00 |
| Location: | Outdoor area |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
Play the best XL games, such as a 16-metre-long table football game, XL Twister, XL 4-in-a-row, etc.
| Location: | Outdoor area |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 4.30 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:15 |
| Location: | R10 - 4.30 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:15 |
| Location: | R10 - Hall |
| Time: | From 11:30 till 18:00 |
| Location: | R10 - Hall |
| Time: | From 11:30 till 18:00 |
| Location: | Foodtruck Area |
| Time: | From 12:00 till 13:00 |
A delicious lunch to kick off the IT Festival. The lunch consists of cold and hot dishes, including meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan options, which you can order from the food truck as much as you like.
Everything is freshly prepared by the chefs at Fabulous Foodtrucks.
| Location: | Foodtruck Area |
| Time: | From 12:00 till 13:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 1.01 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
Fill up your happiness tank
Put on your headphones and let yourself be uplifted by compliments, encouragement and life advice. Recorded by all kinds of amazing people who have donated their positivity. Sometimes you want to feel that you are okay just the way you are and that nothing needs to change; other times, you need a kick in the pants to finally do what you dream of doing. There is a relatable story for every listener that will cheer you up, motivate you or move you.
There are four types of fuel:
| Location: | R10 - 1.01 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 0.30 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
| Location: | R10 - 0.30 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
| Location: | R10 - 0.30 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
Be inspired and discover how you can use gamification for digital transformation/Smart industry. We demonstrate the possibilities of using digital applications in existing production environments, both for efficiency and for training, presentations, etc.
Using VR, we show you how a Digital Twin of a machine can be developed.
| Location: | R10 - 0.30 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 3.40 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
Ryan Hayashi – Speaker, Mentalist & Master of Human Connection
Ryan Hayashi is an internationally acclaimed performer and speaker, known for his powerful blend of mentalism, body language, and magic. In this inspiring talk, he takes you on a journey through talent development, non-verbal communication, and authentic human connection. Expect a dynamic, interactive session filled with insight, wonder, and energy—an experience you won’t forget.
| Location: | R10 - 3.40 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 (OIL) |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
Future Software Information Market
Want to know more about the future of software engineering? Interested in LLMs? Worried about the job market or your own job? Planning your GenAI strategy? Meet us at the Future Software Festival. We have 3 interesting sessions and a continuous market for you to learn, experience and interact. Visit us for an inspiring afternoon.
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 (OIL) |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
Panel discussion: the professional GenAI engineer
How do our industry partners use GenAI to support IT development? What are opportunities and threats they see? What do they expect from a Fontys ICT graduate in the age of GenAI?
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
Lecture: GenAI & Software Engineering Education
How to educate the software engineer of the future? What is the impact of GenAI on our curriculum? How to shape learning with GenAI? What are ethical aspects of GenAI in software engineering education?
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
| Location: | R10 - 3.70 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
Dragons Den: where students present their projects to a panel of experts from the IT industry
Everyone is welcome to see what the up-and-coming talent has to offer, whether industry veterans or students with a passion for IT developments. Above all, we want to bring industry, talent and education together. Dragons Den: A great get-together for the industry.
| Location: | R10 - 3.70 |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
| Location: | R10 - 3.40 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
A new show: About control, algorithms and the human touch in a digital world.
What do the VAR, Vinnie Jones and Big Tech have in common? In this playful and confrontational keynote, Rens uses football as a metaphor for our relationship with technology, control and digital decision-making. Who is the VAR in your organisation? How do we ensure that tech helps us, instead of working against us? ‘Don't Mention the VAR’ is a story full of cheats, the drive for control and digital dilemmas – and about the desire for control. Accessible, visual and hilarious, with an impact far beyond the football field.
Suitable for any audience: for people who love football or people who love life.
Rens van der Vorst
Rens van der Vorst, known for his unique combination of profound technological insights and fiery stand-up comedy, will take us on a stimulating journey through the VAR, Vinnie Jones and Big Tech. Rens will challenge, entertain and inspire!
| Location: | R10 - 3.40 |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:00 |
Keynote: What is the effect of technological developments on people's personal development?
What does technological development mean for people personally and what role will it play in the future of our fields of expertise? Wietse not only informs about the role of AI, but also challenges you to think about your own development within the bigger picture: the importance of continuing to invest in your own knowledge, skills and network, not as separate ambitions, but as building blocks of a career that moves with a changing world. This not only strengthens individual careers, but also the power of Brainport as the technological heart of the Netherlands.
| Location: | R10 - 2.40 |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:00 |
| Location: | R5 - Aula |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:00 |
Keynote: Key technologies and talent in a rapidly developing region
Astrid van Deelen (manager team education and job market) and Kevin van Lierop (interim head of innovation and markets team) share their vision on the quantum leap in the Brainport region and its impact on talent development:
| Location: | R5 - Aula |
| Time: | From 13:00 till 14:00 |
| Location: | R5 - Aula |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
From limitation to strength: a story about perseverance
In a world where perfection often seems to be the norm, Eva Eikhout breaks stereotypes with her authentic story. She shows that physical challenges do not mean you can
achieve less, but that mindset and perseverance make all the difference.
Eva Eikhout
Eva Eikhout is a powerful and inspiring speaker who shows that limitations do not determine what you can achieve. Born without many of her arms and legs, she shows that physical limitations do not have to be limits, but can actually strengthen strength and resilience. With humour, sharpness and personal stories, she highlights themes such as inclusiveness, diversity and personal growth. Her lectures are honest, disarming and provide a fresh perspective on challenges and opportunities.
| Location: | R5 - Aula |
| Time: | From 16:00 till 17:00 |
| Location: | R5 - Aula |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |
Keynote: Talent, technology and company culture
For a successful future, organisations must invest in the right talent, technology and a culture of innovation. The advent of AI, blockchain and other disruptive technologies not only offers new opportunities, but also demands a radically different view of leadership and organisational forms.
Menno Lanting
Menno Lanting is considered the leading expert on the impact of the rapidly changing world on leadership, innovation and how we work. He is a much sought-after speaker and advisor. He previously worked in management positions for 20 years, including at the leadership institute de Baak and as an internet entrepreneur.
The common thread in Menno's work is ‘adaptability’. He advises organisations on how to stay connected to the changing world.
| Location: | R5 - Aula |
| Time: | From 14:30 till 15:30 |