The JCI Genk National Convention turned C-mine into a national stage for young leaders from 18 to 20 September 2026. Around 300 ambitious young professionals from all over Belgium gathered in the former Winterslag coal mine for a three-day congress on leadership, innovation and change management. The National Convention (NCN) is the yearly highlight of JCI Belgium, a personal development network for people aged 18 to 40, and this edition was hosted by JCI Genk.
Barenzaal, C-mine Genk. Photo: Jeroen Olaerts (EXID)
From mining past to new energy
For national president Bart Van Proeyen, the choice of Genk was personal: “That the national convention was held in Genk makes me particularly proud. Thirteen years ago, my own JCI story started here, at JCI Genk. Today, as national president, I get to welcome 300 members from all over Belgium. A city that reinvented itself from its mining past into new energy is the perfect place to show what JCI stands for: getting people moving and helping tomorrow’s leaders grow.”
Change management in times of AI
The programme centred on change management in times of AI. Johan Thijs (CEO of KBC Group), Peter Croonen (chairman of KRC Genk) and Katleen Vandersmissen (Heran) shared their strategic insights, while entrepreneurs Kristof Beckers (Ventureleap), Mathia Palaia (Troom) and Vanessa Morini (TRU) told how they grew their companies. Workshops, a company visit to the Port of Limburg and a cultural tour of Labiomista completed the weekend. A culinary walk through the Vennestraat and a gala in the historic Barenzaal closed Saturday.
Learning by doing since 1973
JCI does not present itself as a traditional service club, but as a place where ambitious young people develop through real projects. Roel Mulders, president of JCI Genk: “‘Learning by doing’ is something beautiful to do. At JCI the focus is fully on personal and professional development, and that is exactly what we have been putting into practice in Genk since 1973, with historic projects such as the Battle of Thor and Swingin’ Genk.”
Organiser Thomas Van Boven (JCI Genk) points to the volunteers behind the event: “More than eighteen months of preparation went into this, all after our regular working hours. We also visited almost every local chapter in Belgium, from Virton to Veurne, to promote the congress. Teamwork makes the dream work.”
In the press
Flemish media picked up the story too: Het Laatste Nieuws and Made in Limburg both reported on the weekend at C-mine (articles in Dutch).
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