The maximum number of participants is 32. If you’d like to attend, make sure to reserve your spot soon. 

When: from Thursday 3 July 2025 (9:30) to Saturday 5 July 2025 (16:30).

Where: Oude Abdij van Drongen, Drongenplein 27, 9031 Drongen (Gent) – itinerary (8-minute walk from Drongen train station). 

The training is residential. If you live nearby, you can sleep at home, but be aware that the process will continue into the evenings with various activities as well as preparation for roles you might have stepped up for on the next day. If you wish to arrive the day before or stay longer, you can book extra nights directly with the venue via ​​ reservatie@oudeabdij.be (let them know that you’ll participate in this training).

Working language

The working language of this training is English. It is therefore important that you can understand and speak some English. While fluency is not required, systematic translation will not be provided. Instead, we are all invited to show up for each other with flexibility, generosity and humour. In smaller groups, you can switch to another language, such as Dutch, if other participants feel comfortable with that. This is self-organising!

Participation fee

We want this training to be both accessible and sustainable for us as a hosting team. Below you can find several pricing options to choose from. We invite you to contribute at the highest level that feels right for you. Especially if an organisation is paying on your behalf or if you have the financial flexibility, we invite you to consider the supporter options. 

Pricing options to choose from:

1. Full supporter rate: Pay for yourself and create one full scholarship (by covering the difference between the scholarship rate and the sustainability rate). You enable someone to share this experience! Thank you for helping to generate a more inclusive and diverse learning space. Amount: 1800 euro excl. VAT (2178 euro incl. VAT).
   
   
2. Half supporter rate: Pay for yourself and contribute half a scholarship. Every two people choosing this pricing option together make it possible for someone to attend at the scholarship rate. Thank you! Amount: 1475 euro excl. VAT (1784,75 euro incl. VAT).
   • Early bird rate until 28 March: 1360 euro excl. VAT (1645,60 euro incl. VAT).
     
     
3. Sustainability rate: If most participants pay this amount, it enables financial sustainability for the hosting team. Amount: 1150 euro excl. VAT (1391,50 incl. VAT).
   • Early bird rate until 28 March: 1035 euro excl. VAT (1252,35 euro incl. VAT).
     
     
4. Scholarship rate (limited availability): If finances are a barrier, you can apply for a scholarship. This option covers only the basic costs of organising the training, without compensating the hosting team for their time and effort. Scholarships are rare and precious, so please choose this option only if you truly need it. We have 4 scholarships available from the start, and we hope to create more through the generosity of participants choosing the higher pricing levels. Amount: 500 euro excl. VAT (605 euro incl. VAT).

If you choose the scholarship option, be aware that we cannot guarantee your place, given the limited availability of scholarships. We will count and review the incoming scholarship applications on 1 May and let you know soon after whether you can attend or whether you will be added to the waiting list for scholarships. Please follow the same registration procedure as other participants, a separate email is not needed. 

This training is considered an admission to an event, so Belgian VAT applies for everyone.

What is included in the participation fee?

• Three days of intensive training.
• A printed version of the “Companion”, an Art of Hosting workbook specifically revised for this training, along with a digital version. 
• Breakfast, lunch and dinner: starting with lunch on 3 July and ending with lunch on 5 July. All food will be vegetarian. 
• Coffee breaks.
• Accommodation in a single or double room with its own bathroom (towels not included). 

Rooms will be assigned according to your preference and their availability, on a first-come, first-served basis. A discount of 20 euro excl. VAT (24,20 euro incl. VAT) applies if you stay in a double room.

If you sleep elsewhere, which is only recommended if you can stay nearby, a discount of 100 euro excl. VAT (121 euro incl. VAT) applies. 

Not included: towels. Bring your own towels, or rent towels at the reception desk of the Old Abbey for 6,90 euro (to be paid immediately in cash or via Payconiq).

Cancellation policy

If circumstances make it impossible for you to attend, please email your cancellation to aohbelg@gmail.com. If you cancel before 1 June, we will retain 100 euro (excl. VAT) and reimburse the rest of your enrollment fee. If you cancel on or after 1 June, the amount we reimburse will depend on whether you (or we) find another participant to take your place. If someone takes your place, we will retain 100 euro (excl. VAT). If not, we will retain the full fee.

Hosting team

You will be hosted by An Van Damme, Damien Versele, Helen Titchen Beeth, Joke Jonckiere and Valérie Carrette, together with apprentices Kévin De Bruyne, Kristiana Stoyanova and Nell Lenoir. Get to know a bit about us here.