History

On 14 February 1983, Janine Dechesne and Elvira Veenings started Nini’s Productions in Amsterdam; it was the predecessor of what would later become Dechesne & Boertje. They launched a new event concept onto the market called ‘Your company goes Broadway’, which was a musical performed for and by the employees. Some 28 years later, the interactive character of this product still forms the basis of the diverse range of D&B concepts. From an act featuring staff as the highlight of an anniversary party to an animated speed date session designed to get employees from amalgamating companies talking.

The arrival of Pieter Bas Boertje in 1988 turned the two-woman company into a professional events agency with 17 of its own D&B staff. In 2007, Dechesne & Boertje was voted Events Agency of the Year and Janine Dechesne announced her departure. Pieter Bas Boertje and Lennart Peeperkorn are now the owners. Over the years, dozens of employees from a wide range of backgrounds have revelled in being part of the committed team at D&B.

The events history at D&B features numerous highlights, such as the 75th anniversary of HEMA, the 250th anniversary of Douwe Egberts and the opening of De Amersfoortse, not to mention countless annual events including the Friesland Bank OpstalsTreffen, the Ernst & Young Hofstad lecture and the Unilever Benelux Experience. D&B is proud of its network of loyal customers, some of whom have been asking Dechesne & Boertje to organize their events for more than 20 years.

Over the course of 25 years, the offices moved from Amsterdam to Naarden, and via Almere to a picturesque spot on Herengracht in Muiden. The D&B Rosé, Dechesne & Boertje’s own annual relations event, has been held in and around Muiden every June since 2008. The guests are regaled with inspiration and each year, they are responsible for choosing the D&B Rosé.