A Day at the Zoo, with Climate KIC
A Day at the Zoo, with Climate KIC
Friday 23 October 2026 – 10am to 5pm
No Panels.
No Agenda.
No Sponsors.
No Flights.
A Συνέδριο Like No Other.
A Day at the Zoo 2026 is all about the Yes: Yes στο serendipity, Yes στο curiosity, Yes στο playful exploration.
Join us for an all-outdoor immersive experience in the unique setting of Artis Park in Amsterdam.
We are dropping the stale format of slides and (male) speaker panels to focus instead on human connection and radical collaboration. Expect a day filled with serious fun where we deliberately mix moments of free form curiosity with action-oriented deal making. Don’t come alone, bring your decision-makers with you – we’re here to move the dial on climate action so we need the big boss, your trusted advisor and your allies too.
We’ve left no space for passive participation. There is no agenda. There are no microphones.
Here you have to work for the day! We offer only a beautiful open space where your two feet govern what happens next. We invite you to walk around and find the exact people you need to take the next step and level up your climate action. Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.
A community passport and map will help guide your visit. Blue Economy in the Aquarium, Wellbeing in the meditation garden, Space tech at the Planetarium – you get the idea. But make no mistake – we won’t be there to host you! You are the host of this conference (that isn’t a conference). You are the one that opens the conversation that needs to be had.
How will the day be organised?
To make the most of the day, we have planned a few different ways to help you connect with others:
- Community Passport – collected on entry, your community passport will guide your day (map, agenda, tips, etc.) It will also contain people we think you should meet and a copy of the statement of intent you provide at check-out – this will remind you why you chose to come!
- Encounters – we will use your intent statements to loosely shape community encounters: “Meet Ben at The Elephants’ Watering Hole at 2:00 PM to discuss investment funds” or “Meet Ana in the Butterfly Garden at 4:00 PM to discuss Nature Based Solutions to heat adaptation”. Who will host? You. How many people will be there? No idea.
- Serendipity Missions – you will randomly draw three missions from the bowl as you enter. You have all day to complete them. This way we ensure you’ll never have a dull moment.
- Where are the Meerkats?
- Do you want to play Ben’s space game together?
- How good are your poetry writing skills?
- Social Spaces – Building trust and strong connections is central to radical collaboration. Our social spaces will give you a space to retreat from the elements (the weather is probably going to be miserable!) and a space to connect with your community. A tea ceremony here, a musical performance there, a beer at sunset. You’ll find lots of spaces to experience human connection in different way.
Helpful information to know!
- Zoos are contentious spaces for many. We understand if you don’t want to come and we’re sorry about that. We believe in the Artis mission to strengthen our connection to nature through education and hope you choose to join us, even if there are valid questions to ask.
- Lunch isn’t included, but ARTIS has several affordable vegan places to eat on site — find a friend and grab something to eat whenever you like.
- Amsterdam weather can be cantankerous. Even more so these days. We believe there is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing! Come ready for a day outdoors and embrace the Dutch expression “Je bent niet van suiker?” – only those made of sugar will melt in the rain. In case of really bad weather, we do have a Plan B (retreating to the Groot Museum).
- Amsterdam Dance Event takes place across the city from 21st to 25th October. You might want to book some tickets to a party! Accommodation will be full/expensive in Amsterdam, so consider staying in nearby towns like Haarlem, Zandaam, Utrecht or Leiden. Trains run frequently until 00:30.
- No sponsors – that also means we have no free tickets ☹. There is a donation option as you check-out, so use that in case you can chip in extra to help cover the cost. That’d be lovely.
- No panels – that means you might not feel like we’re validating your status by putting you on stage. We hope you’ll come anyway! We do intend it to be a validating invitation even without the microphone.
- No flights – that means you’re not allowed fly to this conference. We will ask to see your train ticket or bicycle key upon entry to prove you travelled to us by sustainable means. No, we don’t trust you. Yes, we’re serious.
- Like no other – that means we’re asking you to take a risk by coming to something that feels a bit odd. But we think it’s going to be a great time (hopefully!).
- Remember! Communities work well because you get back something for what you put in. So come ready to offer something to put in: Money, Time, Experience, Power. Your mission is to make that gift count by finding the best possible recipient.
We have taken great care to invite only the best of the best in climate innovation – you. Our friendly policy makers from the Commission, deep-pocketed investors from the private sector, our creative artists from the New European Bauhaus and our edgy innovators passionate for change. Oh, and it’s a public space so ‘average joe’ will be there too – why not ask them a question or two? Name tags and colour-coded sprout hairclips will help you differentiate between conference attendees and regular visitors.
Part conference, part policy workshop, part demo day, part work, part fun – a conference that’s not a conference, just a day at the zoo.
Come in bold pursuit of your personal passion about how the world needs to change. Be clear about what you need to succeed; and be mindful of what you can offer in reciprocity.
The Zoo’s ecosystem is your working space, move through it and use it as a setting to contemplate life at every scale – from microbial spores to the celestial views provided by the Planetarium – earth, nature and animals are here to remind you of what’s at stake. Here’s a map to get you excited.
What role do you play in our system?
How do you want to change it?
Who will help you get there?
How many elephants are in this room?
