Last week, Venturn kicked off the year in a sporty way by organizing a padel event for trainees, clients, and professionals from the maritime sector. Instead of a traditional networking event, Venturn deliberately opted for a sportive format, with padel at its central element. The focus was on participation and fun, with networking becoming a natural side effect.
The Event Experience
The Venturn Padel Event brought together Venturn Young Professionals (VYP), colleagues, and connections from the Venturn network. The evening started with a joint training session, providing a proper warm-up for both body and mind. Stephanie also took part in the padel match herself.
“I participated in the padel match, which reminded me once again how much fun padel actually is,” says Stefanie Meyer, Venturn Young Professional. Her focus that day was on playing and being active, while at the same time sharing her experiences of her first assignment within the traineeship, which she had started earlier that week.
Because participants first stepped onto the court together, conversations afterwards flowed in a relaxed and natural way. “Since we played padel first, the conversations that followed felt much more relaxed and natural than at conventional networking events,” Stefanie reflects.
For her, the event was the right moment to share her first impressions of her assignment with a senior colleague. He offered advice and challenged her to think about initiatives she could take to integrate more quickly and make an impact. “It was an insightful and inspiring conversation that gave me new ideas on how to approach challenges.”
According to Stefanie, these are exactly the kinds of conversations that rarely arise in formal meetings. “I would not schedule an official meeting for this type of discussion; it is something that naturally emerges in an informal setting where experiences are shared openly.”
The focus on sport created a shared experience that set an open and positive tone for the rest of the evening.
Connection to the VYP Traineeship
From the perspective of the VYP traineeship, the value of this padel event extended beyond immediate networking outcomes. It also reflected and reinforced the core values of the traineeship. “During the event, values such as learning, reflection and relationships were of central importance to me,” Stefanie explains. As a VYP, she is developing within this environment, where participation in Venturn events forms an important part of her learning journey.
Bringing together different stakeholders during this event also created new opportunities for trainees seeking a new assignment or client. Stefanie recognizes this from her own experience. “It was at an event like this that I unexpectedly found the company where I am currently completing my assignment.” That is why she was delighted to see other trainees also connecting with potential clients during the padel event, which could potentially lead to new assignments.
The event also contributed to her sense of connection with Venturn. Stefanie started the traineeship in November and experiences these informal, active gatherings as an accessible way to get to know colleagues and clients better. “That is exactly why these informal, active events are such a great way to connect with colleagues and clients outside the day-to-day professional context.”
Would I participate in an event like this again?
For Stefanie, the answer is clear. “Absolutely,” she says. The Venturn Padel Event is highly recommended for VYPs and professionals who appreciate an informal, activity-based way of connecting. It suits people who thrive less in traditional networking environments but who value being part of a professional community.
The event demonstrates how sport and shared experiences can contribute to a relaxed and inclusive setting. A setting in which connections are made naturally and in which the year is started in an energetic, collaborative way.
