Impact
A bigger and stronger platform
Prior-edition figures sourced from post-show reporting for 2025; confirm against organiser press release when available. The 2025 edition brought together 5,000+ visitors at Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht.
Event overview
Overview
S&OP Flavour Day is an international specialist event designed for supply chain professionals looking to improve their planning through S&OP software. Taking place on 18 November 2026 at Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht, this event offers a platform for meaningful dialogue and networking among decision-makers.
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore innovative solutions and share practical experiences. S&OP Flavour Day takes place in Utrecht, Netherlands.
Venue: Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: S&OP Flavour Day takes place on 18 November 2026 at Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht, Netherlands.
- 2Focus: This event is dedicated to the selection and implementation of S&OP software.
- 3Audience: Engage with supply chain professionals actively seeking S&OP solutions.
- 4Networking: Opportunities for direct contact with decision-makers in the supply chain sector.
- 5Sponsorship: Includes presentation slots and dedicated booths for networking.
Why visit
Attend S&OP Flavour Day to connect with industry leaders and decision-makers focused on S&OP solutions. Gain insights into the latest software offerings and network with peers facing similar challenges in supply chain management. This event provides a unique opportunity to engage with potential vendors and implementation partners, ensuring you are well-informed about the best options available for your organization.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at S&OP Flavour Day allows you to showcase your S&OP solutions directly to an engaged audience of supply chain professionals. Benefit from brand visibility across event promotions and gain access to contact details of all attendees for follow-up opportunities. With a dedicated booth and presentation slot, you can effectively demonstrate your offerings and establish valuable connections with potential clients.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Supply chain and S&OP process owners - directors, heads and managers of planning - from manufacturing, FMCG, retail, wholesale and distribution
Demand planners and forecasters working on statistical baselines, demand sensing, consensus review and forecast accuracy (MAPE/bias)
Supply, production and inventory planners balancing capacity, stock and service levels against the demand plan
Integrated Business Planning (IBP) leads and planning transformation managers driving S&OP maturity programmes
S&OP/S&OE coordinators and monthly-cycle facilitators who run the cross-functional review meetings
Supply chain analysts, data specialists and planning-system/IT managers working with ERP, APS and planning add-on tools
Commercial, finance and operations stakeholders who feed demand, margin and capacity assumptions into the S&OP cycle
Consultants, interim planners and academics advising Dutch and Benelux supply chain organisations on planning design
Logistics and order-fulfilment managers who connect the plan to daily execution and customer service
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Supply chain planning software vendors covering S&OP, IBP, demand planning and advanced planning and scheduling (APS) suites
AI and machine-learning forecasting providers offering demand sensing, promotion uplift and probabilistic forecasting
Supply chain visibility and control-tower platform providers linking planning data to execution
Data integration, master data management and planning-data specialists enabling a single planning dataset
Consultancies and implementation partners for planning process design, S&OP maturity and change management
Inventory optimisation and multi-echelon planning tool vendors
Training, certification and professional bodies serving S&OP and IBP practitioners
Service providers offering planning-as-a-service, outsourced planning or interim planning capacity
Note: this is a compact practitioner day rather than a large hall-based trade fair, so supplier presence is typically sponsor, partner or demo-table format - confirm the current participation options with the organiser
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) and Integrated Business Planning (IBP) software platforms
Demand planning and statistical forecasting tools
Demand sensing and AI/ML forecasting applications
Supply, capacity and production planning / advanced planning and scheduling (APS)
Inventory optimisation and multi-echelon planning
S&OP scenario planning, simulation and what-if modelling
Supply chain control towers and end-to-end visibility dashboards
Planning data integration, master data management and analytics/BI for planners
S&OP process design, maturity assessment and change-management services
Planning training and certification programmes
Location & Facilities
Venue
Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht
Utrecht, Netherlands
Facilities
Parking
Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht in Utrecht typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht in Utrecht typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Who runs the show
Organisers
Supply Chain Media
How the last edition performed
Previous edition
Last edition
2025
reported
Visitors: 5,000
Next edition
Not announced yet
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Utrecht, Netherlands
Why it matters
Attending S&OP Flavour Day on 2026-11-18 to 2026-11-18 in Utrecht lets buyers and specifiers benchmark suppliers, see live demonstrations, and compress months of vendor meetings into one focused trade visit — worthwhile when your category roadmap aligns with the official exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Market news
Latest updates from across the market.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · EUR
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht
On-site - the event is held at this hotel to venue
On-site parking is available; confirm daily rates, room availability and any event room block with the hotel or organiser. Approximate USD band.
Utrecht Centraal station-area midscale chain hotels
Short bus, tram or taxi ride from Utrecht Centraal to the venue district to venue
Best option if you also want easy access to Schiphol trains and the city centre for evening meals. Approximate USD band - confirm rates directly.
Budget and economy lodging in and around Utrecht
Varies; some options sit in neighbouring towns on the rail network to venue
Supply is limited, so book early for November dates. Approximate USD band.
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol hotels
Requires a train to Utrecht Centraal plus a local transfer on the event day to venue
Convenient only for very early departures; the extra commute reduces time at the event. Approximate USD band.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
train
Estimated costEUR 10-22 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forAmsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Utrecht Centraal
NS Intercity service, roughly 30-40 minutes. Touch in and out with an OV-chipkaart or a contactless bank card. Check the NS site for engineering works before travelling.
taxi
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forAmsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) to Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht
Door-to-door but far more expensive than the train; journey time depends heavily on traffic around Amsterdam and Utrecht. Confirm the fare or app estimate before you set off.
bus or tram
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forUtrecht Centraal to the Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht district
Utrecht has no metro; city buses and tram connections cover this route. Operator journey planners and Moovit list connections from Utrecht Centraal to the hotel.
bike rental
Estimated costEUR 35-85 taxi or rideshare to the venue district
Best forUtrecht city centre to the venue district
Utrecht is a cycling city with dedicated paths. Use lights after dark and follow local cycle rules; do not ride on pavements.
walking
Estimated costNo fare
Best forLocal trips around the venue and hotel district
Pavements and crossings are generally good. Keep to lit routes after dark in business-park areas where foot traffic is low.
Plan your trip
Visa & entry documents
Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.
Visa not required
ATA Carnet: check with organiser
Weather
Utrecht in November 2026 sits in a late-autumn maritime climate: daytime highs typically around 8-11 C and night-time lows around 2-5 C, with frequent overcast skies, drizzle, showers and wind. Roughly 10-13 days of the month see measurable rain. Pack layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for transfers between Utrecht Centraal and the venue, and check a live forecast in the week before travel - these are climatological bands, not a forecast.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Netherlands.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language
English is widely spoken in Utrecht and the Benelux supply chain community, and Supply Chain Media publishes in Dutch and English. Confirm the working language of the programme with the organiser when you register.
Business etiquette
Dutch business culture values directness, punctuality and short, factual exchanges. Sessions and meetings start on time, so arrive for the opening session ahead of schedule.
Payments
Card and contactless payments dominate in the Netherlands; many venues and transport points are effectively cashless. Carry a contactless bank card or an OV-chipkaart for trains, buses and taxis.
Tipping
Tipping is not expected in the Netherlands. Rounding up the bill or adding roughly 5-10 per cent for good restaurant service is a common courtesy.
Public transport ticketing
For NS trains and Utrecht city buses, check in and check out with an OV-chipkaart or a contactless bank card. Forgetting to check out results in a higher charge.
Cycling
Utrecht is one of Europe's most cycle-oriented cities. Stay off the red cycle paths when walking and look both ways before crossing them - cyclists have priority.
Venue access and ID
Bring photo ID and your registration confirmation for badge collection at Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht. Arrive 30-45 minutes early on the first day for security and orientation.
Smoking and alcohol
Alcohol is legal and served widely at hotels and restaurants. Smoking is restricted indoors in public venues and workplaces; use designated outdoor areas.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Compare flights to the nearest international gateway serving Utrecht; confirm ground transport on the organiser site.
Visa
Visa needs for a Netherlands business visit vary by nationality; check business.gov.nl and IND short-stay business visa guidance plus the Netherlands Worldwide Schengen business visa checklist.
Processing: Varies by nationality; apply several weeks before travel.
Official checklists and document lists are published by business.gov.nl, IND and Netherlands Worldwide; verify processing times and fees on those pages.
OfficialTransport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Utrecht; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht: Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht; Utrecht Centraal station-area midscale chain hotels; Budget and economy lodging in and around Utrecht.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Utrecht; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: From Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, NS Intercity trains run directly to Utrecht Centraal in roughly 30-40 minutes. From Utrecht Centraal, use city buses (and the available tram connections) or a short taxi ride to the Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht district; Utrecht has no metro, so buses, trams, taxis and bike rental cover local trips. Use an OV-chipkaart or a contactless bank card and remember to check in and check out. Single city fares are approximately EUR 2-4 and the Schiphol-Utrecht rail leg approximately EUR 10-13 second class - these are approximate, so confirm live fares and timetables at ns.nl and with the Utrecht public transport operator before you travel.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: November 2026
Temperature: Approx. 8-11 C daytime highs and 2-5 C night-time lows in Utrecht in November (climatological band - check a live forecast before travel).
Seasonality: November is one of the wetter months in the Netherlands: frequent drizzle and showers, overcast skies and wind, with roughly 10-13 wet days across the month. Bring a waterproof jacket, layers and comfortable shoes for transfers between Utrecht Centraal and the venue.
Packing: November 2026
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at S&OP Flavour Day usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Confirm your registration with the organiser and check the published schedule — The programme for the November 2026 edition is listed at supplychainmedia.eu/sop-flavour-day/schedule. Note the start time and whether you need to collect a badge on arrival.
T-2
Book travel into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) — AMS is the main international gateway for Utrecht, with direct NS Intercity trains to Utrecht Centraal. Compare arrival times so you are not travelling late at night.
T-3
Reserve accommodation — Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht is the venue hotel; Utrecht Centraal area hotels give easy access to trains, buses and taxis. Book early - November is a busy conference month in the Netherlands.
T-4
Check passport validity, Schengen and visa requirements — Use the Dutch government business-visit guidance (business.gov.nl) and the IND short-stay pages. Carry printed confirmation of your registration and accommodation.
T-5
Plan the airport-to-venue transfer — NS Intercity Schiphol to Utrecht Centraal takes roughly 30-40 minutes; then take a city bus or taxi to the hotel district. Check engineering works or strikes on the NS site before you fly.
T-6
Pick your sessions and prepare questions — Decide which S&OP/IBP, demand planning or planning technology topics matter most to your organisation and write down two or three questions to ask during the day.
T-7
Print or download the agenda, confirmation and travel documents — Save them offline on your phone in case mobile data is slow at the venue.
T-8
Check the weather and pack accordingly — November in Utrecht is cool and frequently wet - layers, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes for transfers and standing at breaks.
T-9
Arrange local payments and transit ticketing — Utrecht is largely card-based. Use an OV-chipkaart or a contactless bank card for trains and city buses; touch in and out.
T-10
Re-confirm the journey and set an early alarm — Aim to arrive 30-45 minutes before the opening session for badge collection and orientation.
T-11
Arrive early, collect your badge and set up your note-taking — Note the name and organisation of everyone you want to follow up with, and capture the session topics that apply to your own planning cycle.
T-12
Send follow-up notes to new contacts — Reference the specific session or use case you discussed so the contact can place you.
Networking spots
2S&OP Flavour Day registration concourse
Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nights€190.00
- Per diem × 2€150.00
Estimated total€340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether S&OP Flavour Day fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
What is your primary role?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus aligns with the official product themes.
Best for
Buyers, researchers, and delegates evaluating the programme and networking value.
Min. budget
$400.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration and travel.
Risks
Limited session times published - confirm agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a clear lead-generation or launch goal for this market.
Best for
Suppliers and brands seeking qualified meetings with the event audience.
Min. budget
$2,500.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, and marketing prep.
Risks
Booth pricing not published in captured sources - confirm with organiser.
skip
Programme, audience, or commercial goals do not match your plan.
Best for
Teams whose category or region fit is weak this edition.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
No major risks listed.
Gallery
Photos
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
What is the S&OP Flavour Day?
It is a practitioner-focused supply chain planning day organised by Supply Chain Media, whose programme is published on supplychainmedia.eu. The format centres on S&OP/IBP practice - process design, demand and supply planning, planning technology and case experience - rather than a large equipment exhibition. Check the organiser's schedule page for the confirmed 2026 agenda.
When and where is the S&OP Flavour Day held?
The edition covered here is scheduled for November 2026 at the Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Confirm the exact dates, start time and room allocation on the organiser's schedule page at supplychainmedia.eu/sop-flavour-day/schedule before booking travel.
Who should attend?
Supply chain and S&OP process owners, demand planners, supply and production planners, IBP transformation leads, planning system managers, consultants and the commercial and finance stakeholders who take part in the monthly planning cycle. If your role feeds or uses the demand, supply or financial plan, the content is aimed at you.
Is the event aimed at suppliers as well as practitioners?
The audience is primarily supply chain practitioners, with solution providers and sponsors present in a partner or demo format rather than a hall of booths. Confirm current participation options and any sponsor packages directly with Supply Chain Media.
How do I register, and is there a fee?
Registration is handled by the organiser on the supplychainmedia.eu event pages. Ticket type, any delegate fee and the registration deadline are published there - they are not fixed in this listing, so check the event page for the current terms before you commit to travel.
What language is the programme in?
Supply Chain Media publishes content in Dutch and English, and the audience is largely Benelux-based with international guests. Confirm the working language of the 2026 programme with the organiser when you register.
How do I get to the venue from Amsterdam Airport Schiphol?
Take an NS Intercity train from Schiphol to Utrecht Centraal (roughly 30-40 minutes), then a city bus, tram connection or taxi to the Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht district. A direct taxi or rideshare from Schiphol takes longer and costs substantially more. Confirm live timetables and fares at ns.nl and with the Utrecht transport operator.
Is parking available at the venue?
Van der Valk Hotel Utrecht is a hotel venue with on-site parking; rates and availability should be confirmed with the hotel or organiser when you register, especially if you are attending only for one day.
What topics are covered?
Typical S&OP Flavour Day content covers demand planning and forecasting, S&OP/IBP process design and maturity, supply and capacity planning, inventory optimisation, AI and machine learning in planning, planning technology selection, and practitioner case experience. Review the published schedule for the specific 2026 sessions.
Is it worth attending if I am evaluating planning software?
Yes, if you want to compare how planning platforms are actually used rather than sit through sales pitches. Come with a shortlist of use cases - demand sensing, multi-echelon inventory, scenario planning - and use the networking breaks to ask practitioners which tools they run and why.
Will presentations or materials be shared afterwards?
Availability of slides or recordings is decided by the organiser and speakers and is not guaranteed. Ask Supply Chain Media at registration whether materials will be distributed, and take your own notes during the sessions.
Do I need a visa to attend in the Netherlands?
Whether you need a Schengen short-stay visa depends on your nationality. Business visit guidance is published by business.gov.nl and the Dutch immigration service (IND), including document checklists. Apply well before travel and carry your registration confirmation.
Glossary
- S&OP (Sales and Operations Planning)
- A recurring cross-functional process, usually monthly, that balances unconstrained demand with supply, capacity and financial constraints to produce one agreed plan. It is the core theme of the S&OP Flavour Day programme.
- IBP (Integrated Business Planning)
- An extension of S&OP that links the planning cycle to finance, product portfolio and strategy, so demand, supply and financial plans share one set of numbers.
- S&OE (Sales and Operations Execution)
- The short-horizon layer (typically 0-8 weeks) that resolves day-to-day deviations from the S&OP plan, such as shortfalls, expedites and allocation decisions.
- Consensus forecast
- A single agreed demand number produced when sales, marketing, finance and supply chain reconcile their individual views during the demand review.
- Forecast accuracy and bias
- Measures of how close the forecast was to actual demand (commonly MAPE or similar) and whether it was systematically too high or too low. Practitioners at this event compare how they track and improve these measures.
- Demand sensing
- Using short-term signals such as POS data, orders, promotions and market events to adjust the near-term forecast between monthly planning cycles.
- Rough-cut capacity planning (RCCP)
- A check that the demand plan fits available capacity at a resource or product-family level before detailed scheduling.
- Master production schedule (MPS)
- The statement of what will be produced, in what quantity and when, derived from the demand and supply plan.
- Advanced planning and scheduling (APS)
- Software that optimises and sequences production, capacity and materials against constraints, usually fed by the S&OP/IBP plan.
- Multi-echelon inventory optimisation
- Calculating safety stock and replenishment simultaneously across plants, central warehouses and regional depots instead of site by site.
- Scenario planning
- Modelling alternative futures - demand shocks, supply disruptions, cost changes - against the plan so decisions can be rehearsed before they are needed.
- Control tower
- A visibility layer that consolidates planning and execution data so planners can see deviations across the end-to-end chain and act on exceptions.
- DDMRP (Demand Driven MRP)
- A pull-based planning method using strategically positioned decoupling buffers instead of a forecast-driven MRP push.
- S&OP maturity model
- A staged framework (typically from informal/isolated to integrated and externally collaborative) used to benchmark and roadmap a planning transformation.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- S&OP Flavour Day
- S&OP Flavour Day 2026
- S&OP Flavour Day Utrecht
- S&OP Flavour Day Utrecht 2026
- OP
- OP 2026
- OP Utrecht
- OP Utrecht 2026
- Utrecht Netherlands
- Conference Utrecht 2026
1 more alternate names hidden
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.