Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
Sett Connect is a key event for education professionals and innovative partners, focusing on ideas, tools, and practices that enhance learning.
With over 60 lectures and workshops, and a vibrant exhibition featuring 120 exhibitors, it is the place where inspiration, technology, and educational practice converge.
Sett Connect takes place in Mechelen, Belgium.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and venue: March 2027 at Flanders Expo in Ghent, the venue named in the organiser's visitor transport guidance - confirm the exact show days and hall on sett-vlaanderen.be before booking.
- 2Sector focus: education technology for Flemish primary, secondary and higher education, covering digital learning platforms, interactive classroom hardware, school ICT infrastructure and teacher professional development.
- 3Organiser: Easyfairs, the exhibition group running the SETT education technology series in Flanders.
- 4Audience: teachers, ICT coordinators, school directors and education policy advisers who specify and buy classroom technology for Flemish schools.
- 5Tickets: one-day track ticket USD 95 including all lectures plus one workshop, group rate USD 75 for five or more, student ticket USD 47.50; early-bird pricing runs until 18 December 2026.
Why visit
Attendees will gain insights into the latest educational technologies and practices, network with peers, and participate in hands-on workshops. Dates and Venue: Sett Connect takes place on March 10-11, 2027, at Flanders Expo, Mechelen, Belgium. Buyer Authority: Attendees include teachers, ICT coordinators, and school directors from across Flanders.
Why exhibit
Exhibitors will showcase their latest educational technologies and methodologies, connect with decision-makers in the education sector, and gain visibility among a targeted audience of educators and administrators. Scale and Focus: The event features over 120 exhibitors and more than 60 lectures and workshops focused on educational innovation. Buyer Authority: Attendees include teachers, ICT coordinators, and school directors from across Flanders.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Primary and secondary school teachers evaluating digital learning materials, interactive screens and classroom software before the next school year
ICT coordinators and IT administrators from Flemish schools and school groups who manage devices, networks and single sign-on
School directors, principals and pedagogical directors holding budget authority for hardware refresh and software licences
Teacher trainers and higher-education lecturers from Flemish teacher-training institutes looking for didactic tools
Policy advisers and staff from Flemish education networks, municipalities and school umbrella bodies
Purchasing officers and shared IT service providers buying on behalf of several school sites
Students in teacher-training programmes using the student ticket to scan the market early
International EdTech suppliers and distributors scouting the Flemish and Dutch-speaking education market
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Digital learning platform and learning management system vendors selling into Flemish schools
Interactive display, projector and classroom AV hardware manufacturers
Educational publishers and producers of digital course material and assessment content
STEM, robotics and computational thinking kit suppliers for primary and secondary classrooms
School ICT infrastructure providers covering networks, device management, cybersecurity and identity
Teacher training organisations and pedagogical consultancy firms
Accessibility, language and inclusive learning software specialists
Education data, analytics and pupil monitoring system providers
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Learning management systems and electronic learning environments (ELO)
Interactive flat panels, projectors and classroom presentation hardware
Adaptive practice and assessment platforms for maths, languages and reading
STEM, robotics and computational thinking kits
Device management, mobile device carts and 1:1 laptop or tablet programmes
Cybersecurity, privacy and GDPR tooling for schools
Digital curriculum content and educational publishing
Pupil monitoring and learning analytics dashboards
Accessibility and inclusive learning software
Teacher professional development and coaching services
Location & Facilities
Venue
Flanders Expo
Maaltekouter 1, 9051 Gent, Belgium
Facilities
Parking
Flanders Expo in Mechelen 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: Flanders Expo in Mechelen 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 Flanders Expo for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
General admission
Track ticket for one day including access to all lectures and one workshop
95General admission
Group ticket for groups of 5 or more
75General admission
Student ticket for one day
47.5
Who runs the show
Organisers
Easyfairs
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Mechelen, Belgium
Why it matters
Attending Sett Connect on 2027-03-10 to 2027-03-11 in Mechelen 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.
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.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · USD
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
3-star
Mechelen city centreGoogle Hotels listed 117 properties in Mechelen for the March 2027 dates; NH Mechelen captured at roughly INR 9,961 per night equivalent, with breakfast, free Wi-Fi and paid parking.
4-star
Mechelen city centreCaptured 4-star options with breakfast, Wi-Fi, parking and bar; Martin's Patershof noted a public car park about 3 minutes away on foot with chargers.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
Tram (De Lijn)
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forGhent Sint-Pieters station to Flanders Expo, tram line 1
The most reliable car-free way to the venue from the main rail station. Trams fill up in the hour before opening, so travel one service earlier.
Train (SNCB/NMBS)
Estimated costUSD 12-28 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forBrussels Airport to Ghent Sint-Pieters
Direct intercity services run several times an hour. Keep the ticket for the whole journey, since gates at Brussels Airport and Ghent are ticket-controlled.
Train (SNCB/NMBS)
Estimated costUSD 12-28 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forAntwerp Centraal to Ghent Sint-Pieters
Useful if you stay in Antwerp or arrive via Antwerp International. Journey times are short enough for a same-day return.
Train (SNCB/NMBS)
Estimated costUSD 12-28 airport or regional rail single journey
Best forMechelen to Ghent Sint-Pieters
Applies if you take a Mechelen hotel from the hotel capture. Add the tram fare on top for the last leg to Flanders Expo.
Bus (De Lijn)
Estimated costUSD 2.50-6 single metro/light-rail journey (contactless)
Best forGhent city centre (Korenmarkt area) to Flanders Expo
Useful from a city-centre hotel. Journey times stretch during the morning peak, so check the De Lijn planner on the day.
Taxi
Estimated costApprox. EUR 15-25 metered for the cross-city run; confirm the meter is running and ask for a receipt
Best forGhent Sint-Pieters station or city centre to Flanders Expo
Worth it for a team with demo equipment or a tight workshop start. Officially licensed taxis wait at the station rank.
Car parking
Estimated costApprox. EUR 10-15 per day; confirm the current day rate and hall access with the venue
Best forFlanders Expo on-site car park
Arrive early on the first morning, since the closest bays fill first. Keep the parking ticket with your badge for exit.
Bicycle
Estimated costApprox. EUR 0-5 if using your own bike or a short shared-bike hire; confirm local hire rates
Best forGhent city centre to Flanders Expo
Ghent is compact and cycle-friendly, and the venue has parking for bikes. Only practical if the March weather cooperates.
Weather
March in Flanders is early spring: expect daytime highs of roughly 8-12 C, night lows of 2-4 C and a real chance of frost on the morning walk to the tram. Rain is common, often as short showers rather than all-day downpours, and the wind makes it feel colder than the thermometer suggests. All SETT activity is indoors at Flanders Expo, so the weather mainly affects the commute and any queueing at the entrance; build an extra 15 minutes into the first morning and keep a compact umbrella in your bag. Forecast confidence drops beyond five days, so check a Belgian forecast such as the KMI/IRM service in the final 48 hours.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Confirm mobile roaming or local SIM options for business visitors to Belgium.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Language on the floor
Flanders works in Dutch, and most school buyers will open a conversation in Dutch. Stand staff who can switch to English are fine for international visitors, but a Dutch one-page product sheet noticeably shortens conversations with school directors.
Meeting style
School ICT decisions are often made by a small group rather than one buyer. Expect practical questions about integration, data hosting and price per pupil, and expect a follow-up by email rather than a decision on the stand.
Punctuality and scheduling
Belgian schools and exhibitors keep to the published timetable. Arrive at Flanders Expo before the doors open on day one for orientation and security screening, and treat workshop start times as fixed.
Food and breaks
Lunch is a short, structured break, often sandwiches or soup, and coffee is taken mid-morning and mid-afternoon. Venue catering queues peak right at midday, so take the break 20 minutes earlier.
Tipping and payments
Service is included in Belgian restaurant bills; rounding up is enough. Cards are accepted almost everywhere in Ghent and Mechelen, but keep a small amount of cash for lockers, kiosks or a taxi that cannot take a card.
Access and inclusion
Belgian venues generally provide step-free access and accessible toilets, but it is worth emailing the organiser ahead of the show if you need a quiet room, a wheelchair route or a sign-language interpreter for a session.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Google Flights capture for Brussels shows short-haul European routes from €32 (Milan, nonstop) and €57 (Rome, nonstop), and a one-stop long-haul example from Hong Kong at €558. Sample fares reflect captured search dates, not March 2027 show dates - recheck live pricing before booking.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Use the nearest international airport serving Mechelen; Metro, train or taxi links are typically available to the venue district.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near Flanders Expo: Mechelen city centre: Hotel NH Mechelen, B&B Hotel Mechelen, Brewery Het Anker; Mechelen city centre: Martin's Patershof, Novotel Mechelen Centrum.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps are commonly used in Mechelen; confirm local availability before travel.
Public transit: The car-free route to SETT runs by rail to Ghent Sint-Pieters and then De Lijn tram line 1 towards Flanders Expo; buy a single city fare in the De Lijn app or contactless on board and allow extra time in the hour before opening. From Brussels Airport, direct SNCB/NMBS intercity trains reach Ghent Sint-Pieters without a change, and from Antwerp or Mechelen the rail leg is short. If you are staying in Ghent city centre, buses and trams connect to the venue district, while a taxi from the station costs roughly EUR 15-25 and suits teams carrying demo kit. Fares and timetables change, so confirm the tram stop and departure times on the De Lijn planner the evening before.
Parking: On-site parking is available at Flanders Expo; confirm daily rates and hall access on the organiser or venue site.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: March 2027
Temperature: March in Ghent: daytime highs typically 8-12 C, night lows 2-4 C, with frost still possible on early mornings.
Seasonality: March is a wet, changeable month in Flanders, with roughly 12-14 rain days across the month, mostly short showers driven by westerly winds. The show itself is indoors, so rain mostly affects the station-to-venue tram walk and queueing at the entrance; check the KMI/IRM forecast in the final 48 hours.
Packing: Pack layers rather than a heavy coat: a warm mid-layer, a waterproof shell with a hood, a compact umbrella and shoes you can stand in all day on concrete floors. Bring a small notebook or tablet for stand notes, a power bank for QR badges and photos, and a folder for the printed product sheets you will collect. If you plan to walk between a city-centre hotel and the tram stop, add gloves and a scarf for the early morning.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Sett Connect usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-1
Day -14: Confirm the exact show days and hall on sett-vlaanderen.be, then book your ticket before the early-bird cut-off of 18 December 2026 if you are buying ahead of the season.
T-2
Day -14: Book rail or air travel to Brussels or Antwerp and a hotel either in Ghent near Flanders Expo or in Mechelen if you combine the show with a city stay.
T-3
Day -10: Download the exhibitor list and shortlist 10-12 stands by product line: ELO and LMS, assessment, interactive hardware, device management and STEM kits.
T-4
Day -10: Ask your ICT coordinator and subject leads which two procurement questions must be answered on the floor, for example GDPR hosting or integration with the pupil monitoring system.
T-5
Day -7: Build a lecture and workshop schedule around the one workshop included in the track ticket, leaving two-hour blocks free for stand demos.
T-6
Day -7: Check De Lijn and SNCB/NMBS routes from the hotel to Flanders Expo and note the tram line 1 connection from Ghent Sint-Pieters station.
T-7
Day -5: Prepare a one-page requirement sheet with pupil numbers, device fleet and current software stack so vendors can quote realistically.
T-8
Day -3: Print or save the badge confirmation, and check the venue's bag and screening policy before arriving.
T-9
Day -2: Check the March forecast, pack a waterproof layer and comfortable shoes for a full day on concrete floors, and confirm hotel check-in times.
T-10
Day -1: Charge a phone and power bank for QR badges, note-taking and photographing stand material, and set a meet-up point for the team.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at Flanders Expo
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Sett Connect registration concourse
Flanders Expo
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
Flanders Expo
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.
Cost reference
Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.
visitor_ticket
visitor · General admission
USD 95 / per person
organiser_published
| Item | For | Tier | Estimated range | Status | As of |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| visitor_ticket | visitor | General admission | USD 95 / per person | organiser_published |
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Sett Connect 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
When and where does SETT take place?
The next edition is scheduled for March 2027, with venue guidance pointing to Flanders Expo in Ghent. Hotel and flight captures for the edition used 10-11 March 2027 as reference dates, but the exact show days, opening hours and hall should be confirmed on sett-vlaanderen.be before you book travel.
Who should attend SETT?
It is built for the Flemish school market: teachers, ICT coordinators, school directors, pedagogical advisers and education policy staff. Suppliers and distributors serving Dutch-speaking schools also attend to read the market and meet decision makers.
How much does a ticket cost?
Listed prices are USD 95 for a one-day track ticket covering all lectures and one workshop, USD 75 per person for groups of five or more, and USD 47.50 for students. Early-bird pricing is advertised as running until 18 December 2026; recheck the live price and currency on the registration page.
What is included in the track ticket?
The one-day track ticket covers access to all lectures on that day plus one workshop. If you plan to attend workshops on both days, or bring several colleagues, compare the group rate against buying separate day tickets.
Can I bring my whole school team?
Yes. A group rate applies from five people upwards at USD 75 per person. Registering the team in one booking is the simplest way to secure the rate, and it lets the group split across lecture tracks and report back.
Is there a student rate?
Yes, a student ticket is listed at USD 47.50 for one day. Student teachers typically use it to compare platforms and classroom hardware they will meet again during placements.
What language are the sessions in?
SETT serves the Dutch-speaking Flemish education market, so most sessions are in Dutch, with international keynotes and vendor demos often running in English. Check the language note against each session in the published programme before planning your day.
Do I need to register in advance?
Registration is handled online through the organiser, Easyfairs. Book before the early-bird cut-off on 18 December 2026 for the best rate, and keep the confirmation email because it is usually needed at the badge desk.
How do I get to Flanders Expo without a car?
Ghent is served by frequent SNCB/NMBS trains, and the venue is reached by De Lijn tram line 1 from Ghent Sint-Pieters station. A single De Lijn city fare is roughly EUR 2.50-3.00; confirm current fares and the tram stop in the De Lijn app on the day.
Where should I stay?
Hotel capture for the edition returned 117 properties in Mechelen, with the NH Mechelen at roughly USD 95-150 per night equivalent and 4-star options such as Martin's Patershof and Novotel Mechelen Centrum in the USD 120-190 band. Because the venue is Flanders Expo, also price Ghent city-centre hotels, which cut the morning commute.
Can I exhibit at SETT?
Stand sales are handled by Easyfairs, not by the venue. Use the exhibitor contact on sett-vlaanderen.be, state which product line you sell, and ask which hall theme fits it rather than booking the first available square metres.
Glossary
- ELO (elektronische leeromgeving)
- The Flemish term for a school's electronic learning environment, the platform where teachers post assignments, share material and track pupil progress. At SETT, ELO vendors compete on integration with pupil monitoring systems and single sign-on.
- Leerlingvolgsysteem
- Pupil monitoring system used by Flemish schools to record results, follow-up tests and care trajectories. Interoperability with an ELO and with published test providers is a standard buying question on the show floor.
- Eindtermen
- Attainment targets set for Flemish education. Vendors at SETT typically map their content and reporting features to these targets, so visitors ask for the mapping document rather than a general brochure.
- Learning management system (LMS)
- Software for organising courses, assignments and grading. In Flemish schools an LMS often sits alongside or inside the ELO, and SETT exhibitors demo how their module plugs into the school's existing stack.
- Formative assessment
- Low-stakes, in-lesson checking of understanding through quizzes, exit tickets and live polling. Assessment vendors at the show demonstrate question banks, instant dashboards and feedback loops for teachers.
- Learning analytics
- Dashboards and reports built from pupil activity data. Buyers at SETT ask which data leaves the school, where it is hosted and how it complies with GDPR before piloting a tool.
- BYOD and 1:1 device programmes
- School policies where pupils bring their own device or receive one device each. Exhibitors selling device management, charging carts and content licensing position around these programmes.
- Computational thinking and STEAM
- Curriculum strand covering problem decomposition, algorithms and coding, often delivered through robotics kits and maker projects. SETT's STEM exhibitors show kits, lesson packs and teacher training bundles.
- Digisprong
- Flemish policy programme that pushed devices and connectivity into schools. Its procurement and infrastructure legacy still shapes what school ICT coordinators look for at SETT.
- GDPR/AVG in education
- European data protection rules applied to pupil data. A recurring show-floor checklist item: data processing agreement, hosting location, retention period and who can export pupil records.
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Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Sett Connect 2027
- Sett Connect Mechelen 2027
- Mechelen Belgium
- Education & Technology Mechelen 2027
- Digital learning platforms and tools
- digital transformation expo
- Mechelen technology expo 2027
- Interactive educational technologies
- Professional development resources for educators
- Innovative classroom management solutions
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.