Why meet at SIF?
A good meeting requires more than just a table and Wi-Fi. At Social Impact Factory, we facilitate encounters in an environment that inspires.
Where is Social Impact Factory located?
Nothing is more important than the right location. That’s the foundation of your meeting; if the location isn’t easily accessible or the technology fails, you’re already starting on the back foot. All 3 of our locations are not only creative and inspiring environments but also easily accessible and practical.
- Vredenburg:
This location is just a 10-minute walk from Utrecht Central Station.
- Aan de Gracht:
Our other location in Utrecht is just a stone’s throw from the Dom Tower. You can walk or cycle here, but there’s also a bus stop 2 minutes away.
- Kauwgomballenfabriek:
Located in the Amstelkwartier. Easy to reach by bike from Amstel Station or on foot from the Overamstel metro stop.
What are the facilities like?
A meeting with us doesn’t just provide inspiration, it also ensures you feel completely taken care of. This allows you to focus entirely on your brainstorm, strategy session, or other gathering.
What can you expect from us?
- A warm welcome: you’ll always be greeted and helped on your way by one of our hosts. Any questions during the day? They’re there for you!
- Coffee & tea: during your meeting, you can enjoy a delicious cup of coffee or tea.
- Screen & flipchart: every room is equipped with a screen and flipchart. Need anything else? We’re happy to think along with you.
- Catering options: at every location, you can choose from a wide range. Breakfast, lunch, dinner? It’s all possible. End your meeting with a cozy drink or enjoy a tasty snack during your break.
What kind of catering options are available?
Start the day with a delicious breakfast? Enjoy a great lunch during your break? Or end the day with drinks or a wonderful dinner? We’ll arrange it for you. We have a wide range to choose from at all our locations.
In Utrecht, we work very closely with our catering partner: De Utrechter. If you come for a meeting at our Vredenburg location, you can even have lunch, dinner, or drinks in the restaurant. But you can also enjoy De Utrechter’s delicious food at the Aan de Gracht location. They’ll bring it over by cargo bike.
Want to know what else is possible? Look here!
How do we make an impact?
At Social Impact Factory, we want to make social impact the new normal. By holding your meeting with us, you don’t just come into contact with this, you also contribute to it.
Everything you see in our buildings has a story. The kitchens, desks, chairs, and the carpet. But also the toilet paper, the tea, and the lemonade. This is how we try to inspire everyone who spends time at our locations.
Would you like to know more? Take a look here! Or come visit us; we have a partner wall at all our locations. Full of stories about all the cool things you can find at SIF.
From ‘having to’ to ‘meeting’:
Meetings are often seen as a necessary evil, an interruption of the ‘real’ workday. But those who master the art of meeting see that a physical encounter is the place where innovation happens and decisions are made. An effective meeting isn’t a static process, but a dynamic interplay between participants, structure, and the physical space.
The architecture of your meeting:
Effective meeting starts with the realization that your brain adapts to the space it’s in. If we’re in a sterile white box, our brain often thinks inside the box too. But put a team in a room with character, and something happens to their creativity. The physical environment is, in fact, a ‘silent facilitator’. High ceilings invite strategic dreaming, while a cozy corner with comfortable chairs is the perfect breeding ground for a vulnerable and honest conversation.
The ‘Rules of Engagement’ (without it getting boring):
To turn a ‘chore’ into a success, it helps to write down a few unwritten rules. Not to lock everything down, but to create space for what really matters.
Try these tactics at your next session:
The Check-in: Don’t start directly with item 1 on the agenda. Give everyone 60 seconds to land. How are you doing? What’s on your mind? Only when everyone is ‘present’ can you truly get started.
The Parking Lot: Have a colleague who always goes off on tangents? Use a figurative (or physical!) parking lot. Valuable idea, but let’s park it for a moment to keep the focus on the main goal.
The 50-minute hack: By booking 50 minutes by default instead of an hour, you give everyone a ‘mental reset’. A quick trip to the coffee machine, a chat with the host, or just staring out the window at the Utrecht canals for a moment.
Impact as the icing on the cake:
Meetings are ultimately about connection. And that connection feels stronger when you know your gathering is making a difference outside the walls of the room too. At Social Impact Factory, we believe a good meeting should not only yield results for your project but also for the world around us. From the social catering on your table to the inclusive work environment where you’re a guest: every encounter is an opportunity to make an impact.
Adress Aan de Gracht
Route to Aan de Gracht
