30th Anniversary Celebration series — Sonia Neefs
As part of PWI Brussels 30th anniversary celebration, we interviewed Sonia Neefs, the PWI’s longest-serving volunteer.
Amina Alaoui: Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Sonia Neefs: I am Belgian and I worked at Tourist Information of Brussels as Director responsible for two very well-known restaurants in the center of the city. I was myself raised in the restaurant world, as my parents used to have a big one in the neighborhood of Boulevard Anspach. Then I started my own business as event organizer called « organization services». I joined PWI when Sandy Dumont was its President, she asked me to join the board about the year 1993.
Amina Alaoui: What is your advise for young people?
Sonia Neefs: I wouldto say to young people (and also to everyone else): when you have a dream, try to realise it, because accomplishment is a pride and helps you build your personality. We need to have passion and courage on what we do so that the result is good.
Amina Alaoui: What do you remember best from your carrier?
Sonia Neefs: That is was difficult in the beginning, I had no support from the spouse, but over time I specialised in the Belgium folklore and built a reputation. Very quickly events grew from 20 guests to multiple thousands guest. Some examples of events are:
· Medieval weddings in castles
· Corporation theme events
· Nobbles rallies
· Belgium folklore festivals
· Bruegel event
· 25 years of Le Pain Quotidien
· Leonidas, UCB, Pfizer, Axa insurance event
· 30 years of mini Europe and The Bulletin
Amina Alaoui: What do you like most about Brussels? What could I visit as a priority?
Sonia Neefs: My specialization in the Belgium folklore gave me the opportunity to excel in multiple events. I had access to several places that other people might not know about.
I would recommend multiple places, for instance:
· The music village near Grand Place
· Museum « Garde Robe » costumes of Manneken Pis
· The Frison Horta foundation at Le Sablon
· Crosbowshooters Place Royale
Amina Alaoui: What is the one thing to highlight from your experience at PWI?
Sonia Neefs: Christmas parties were one of the most important events at PWI at the beginning. They were organized together with American Women Club. And every single person that participated had to leave a business card and from there, she became a member. There was no internet at the time, so we had to register everyone using pen and paper and keep records of all the members. I was asked to be the President of PWI several times, but I was very busy with my own business. It was the time when my business was growing. Couple of years later this organization become part of PWN. We managed to keep the members joining due to multiple participations of celebrities. We once even had a minister participating in an event. It is very important to keep having celebrities/known people invited to the meetings/events. I have always been active either as volunteer, a board member or a member. It was a win-win situation as I could practice my English.
Amina Alaoui: Thank you for the interview, Sonia!
