U.S. Expansion Expert Day
TABS is hosting a "Round-Robin Networking" event in Eindhoven.
This event is a great opportunity for 1-on-1 meetings with transatlantic specialists who help companies navigate U.S. expansion every day. Whether you have questions about legal aspects, market entry strategy, or tax compliance, you can get direct advice from experts in the field.
Meet with experts from:
TABS (U.S. expansion back-office support): Jacob Willemsen
Expandify (Growth strategist): Sophie Boutelegier
Tarter, Krinsky & Drogin (Law firm): Carl van der Zandt
Alongsight (Customs & Trade Compliance): Kristof van Ael
VDB Executive Search (Recruitment): Florence van den Bergh
Dutch-American Connection (Cultural awareness): Annette van der Feltz
International Management solutions (CPA firm): Ben Troch
VisaVersa (Global Visa Specialist): Surfahar Khan
Internationaal Verzekeren (Insurance Expert): Robert Havekotte
Event Agenda
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Welcome Lunch
Open Networking: An informal opportunity for guests to meet our featured experts.
Opening Remarks: A brief introduction of all participants to set the stage for the afternoon.
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM | 1-on-1 Rotations
The Format: Sessions designed for focused introductions and identifying synergies.
Session Structure:
20 Minutes: Dedicated 1-on-1 discussion time.
5 Minutes: Transition and rotation to your next partner.
Objective: These sessions are designed to establish a foundation. Use this time to share your core expertise and identify key areas for deeper follow-up after the event.
6:00 PM | Closing Drinks
Social Hour: Unwind with refreshments and a final opportunity to swap contact details with those you didn’t meet during the formal rotations.
Note to Guests
To maximize your 4 hours of networking, we encourage you to keep your introductions concise. The goal of the 20-minute window is to spark a connection that you can "dive deep" into during your post-event follow-ups.
Space is limited. Secure your spot now.
We look forward to welcoming you!
Experts Biography's:
TABS (U.S. expansion back-office support) - Jacob Willemsen - As the President and Founder of TABS, Jacob Willemsen is dedicated to making U.S. expansion seamless, empowering international organizations to operate and thrive with confidence in the US. Helping 650+ European companies succeed by connecting them with the right people, providing back-office support and resources for growth.
Expandify (Growth strategist) - Sophie Boutelegier - Sophie supports B2B companies in shaping their U.S. market entry and growth strategies. She brings experience in positioning, market selection, and building clear paths to growth tailored to the American market. Her unique approach helps businesses define their strategy and translate it into action from day one. Originally from Belgium and based in Silicon Valley since 2015, she has supported dozens of companies expanding to the U.S.
Tarter Krinsky & Drogin (Law firm) - Carl van der Zandt - Carl is a U.S. attorney and a partner of Tarter Krinksy & Drogin, a bicoastal midsized law firm in the U.S. with locations in, amongst others, New York and Los Angeles. Carl’s diverse expertise includes U.S. and international corporate and commercial law, intellectual property, and business litigation. Carl focuses on trans- Atlantic transactions and investments. Having served more than 400 European companies with business interests in the U.S., Carl’s extensive and unique international and U.S. experience is highly valued among clients, from start-ups to publicly listed companies. Before joining Tarter Krinsky & Drogin, Carl was a partner of two boutique New York law firms focusing on international venture capital and the fashion industry. Earlier in his legal career, he worked as a Dutch attorney and U.S. associate for several major international law firms in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and New York.
Alongsight (Customs & Trade Compliance) - Kristof van Ael - Kristof is co-founder and Partner at Alongsight, specializing in Customs & Trade Compliance. He has 14 years of experience, having built his career at PwC and KPMG. Kristof advises multinational companies on global customs matters and supports dozens of businesses with the set-up and optimization of U.S. customs operations, combining strategic insight with hands-on execution.
VDB Executive Search (Recruitment) - Florence van den Bergh - Florence founded VDB Executive Search, a boutique agency specializing in US-based recruitment for Dutch businesses. Combining market expertise with a personal, results-driven touch, she bridges the gap between organizations and top-tier American talent. Her international background ensures she expertly navigates the complexities of global hiring.
Dutch-American Connection (Cultural Awareness) Annette van der Feltz - Annette van der Feltz is an intercultural communication consultant and the owner of Dutch American Connection, helping Dutch entrepreneurs avoid costly mistakes and win business in the U.S. by understanding how to collaborate, build trust, and position themselves effectively with American counterparts. Originally from the Netherlands, she is has been living and working in the United States for over 25 years. She brings extensive international experience and understands where Dutch and American business cultures tend to misalign. Many Dutch founders tend to underestimate how differently Americans communicate, make decisions, and build relationships, resulting in slow traction, missed opportunities, and frustration on both sides. Annette translates these differences into practical strategies. She helps entrepreneurs, professionals and teams adapt their approach, sharpen their positioning, and navigate U.S. expectations, without losing their Dutch strengths.
International Management solutions (CPA firm) - Ben Troch - Ben (IMS Partner) is Director of the Benelux Practice, holding master's degrees in taxation and law from Belgium, with over six years of experience advising international clients on income taxation and international mobility. He is based in IMS’s Belgium office, where he provides tax and consultancy services to international clients.
VisaVersa (Immigration lawyer) - Surfahar Khan - Surfahar is a senior immigration specialist at VisaVersa with over 13 years of experience advising companies and individuals on immigration procedures for the United States and the Netherlands. She supports clients through complex visa and immigration processes and is known for her practical expertise and personal approach. Surfahar holds a master’s degree in Constitutional and Administrative Law and is dedicated to helping clients navigate immigration procedures successfully.
Internationaal Verzekeren (Insurance expert) - Robert Havekotte - “(International) insurance is like top-tier sports: there is always room for improvement, and we must always strive for better." Following my degree in Business Administration from Erasmus University Rotterdam, I began my career in 1992 at Van Luin Assurantiën, where I became managing partner in 1996. For years, I have supported companies across various sectors with risk management and insurance challenges, focusing heavily in recent years on Dutch enterprises with international operations. On January 1, 2026, I founded Internationaal Verzekeren BV. Through this firm, I guide Dutch organizations doing business abroad, leveraging the international UNiBA network and sharing our expertise.