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Trendspotting to Action

In this Exchange Community CMI session, we will take a critical look at how we approach trendspotting today - and how we can turn signals into actions that truly fuel innovation. Join us to explore a more structured, focused approach to spot relevant opportunities faster and move from insights to impact.

English Exchange Community
When 9 June 2026
13:30 - 17:00
Location UBA Buro & Design Center
Esplanade 1 Box 8
1020 Brussels

Introduction

Trendspotting is a key input for innovation, but it is getting more complex: more tools, more data and more partners. At the same time, teams are under pressure to deliver faster, sharper and more actionable insights.

How do we navigate this expanding landscape of trendwatching solutions? How do we filter out noise and identify trends that truly create value? And most importantly: how do we translate trends into concrete actions inside our organization?

In this Exchange Community, we will explore:

  1. What “good” trendwatching looks like (tools, role)
  2. Which process and governance models to put in place: filter noise to focus on value-creation
  3. Practical ways to translate trends into decision and innovation roadmaps

We will welcome three specialized partners who will share their perspectives and approaches, sparking further discussion and exchange within the community.

A session combining vision and hands-on experience, designed for CMI, marketing, innovation and data professionals who want to strengthen how their organization moves forward from trend signals to action.

Speakers:

  • Trendtracker: Bram Roosens, Director of Strategic Foresight
  • Space Doctors: Gareth Lewis, Co-Managing Director
  • DataScouts: Ingrid Willems, CEO & co-founder

Schedule

On Tuesday 9 June:
13:30 - 13:45

Welcome & introduction

13:45 - 14:25
Gareth Lewis Co‑Managing Director at Space Doctors

Space Doctors

14:25 - 15:05
Bram Roosens Director of Strategic Foresight at Trendtracker

Trendtracker

15:05 - 15:20

Break

15:20 - 16:00
Ingrid Willems CEO & Co-founder at DataScouts

DataScouts

16:00 - 16:30

Sharing experiences

16:30 - 17:00

Networking with a closing drink

Speakers

  1. Bram Roosens

    Bram Roosens

    Director of Strategic Foresight at Trendtracker
    Bram Roosens is Director of Strategic Foresight at Trendtracker, helping organizations anticipate change and turn emerging trends into strategic opportunities. With a PhD in Business Economics and 12+ years of experience in foresight, strategy, and innovation, he has advised Fortune Global 500 ex...
    Bram Roosens

    Bram Roosens

    Director of Strategic Foresight at Trendtracker

    Bram Roosens is Director of Strategic Foresight at Trendtracker, helping organizations anticipate change and turn emerging trends into strategic opportunities. With a PhD in Business Economics and 12+ years of experience in foresight, strategy, and innovation, he has advised Fortune Global 500 executives on identifying growth opportunities and building long-term strategic resilience. He combines rigorous foresight methodologies with data-driven analysis and cross-functional collaboration, always with a pragmatic focus on insights that organizations can actually act on.
  2. Gareth Lewis

    Gareth Lewis

    Co‑Managing Director at Space Doctors
    Gareth Lewis is Co‑Managing Director at Space Doctors (part of Human8), where he co‑leads a global team specialising in cultural foresight, brand strategy and innovation. Over the past 20+ years, he has helped organisations including The Coca‑Cola Company, Microsoft and P&G navigate complex ...
    Gareth Lewis

    Gareth Lewis

    Co‑Managing Director at Space Doctors

    Gareth Lewis is Co‑Managing Director at Space Doctors (part of Human8), where he co‑leads a global team specialising in cultural foresight, brand strategy and innovation.

    Over the past 20+ years, he has helped organisations including The Coca‑Cola Company, Microsoft and P&G navigate complex cultural and strategic challenges through advanced applications of human and cultural insight. Having built and led Space Doctors’ APAC presence before returning to the UK, Gareth brings a strong global perspective and a particular focus on future‑fit methodologies that help organisations adapt and make better decisions in times of change.

    He leads capability programmes for ESOMAR Academy and the Market Research Society, and chaired the MRS Semiotics & Cultural Insight Conference in 2024 and 2025.
  3. Ingrid Willems

    Ingrid Willems

    CEO & Co-founder at DataScouts
    Ingrid Willems is founder and CEO of DataScouts, where she helps organizations navigate complex, fast-changing markets by turning fragmented information into actionable intelligence. Her work focuses on major global transitions, including food systems, energy, and circularity, where she helps org...
    Ingrid Willems

    Ingrid Willems

    CEO & Co-founder at DataScouts

    Ingrid Willems is founder and CEO of DataScouts, where she helps organizations navigate complex, fast-changing markets by turning fragmented information into actionable intelligence. Her work focuses on major global transitions, including food systems, energy, and circularity, where she helps organizations move from static analysis to continuous sensing, scenario thinking, and adaptive strategy.

    With a background combining a Master of Science and an MBA in Business Management, Ingrid brings a rare mix of analytical depth and entrepreneurial execution. Before founding DataScouts, she held senior roles across digital platforms, real estate, and startup ecosystems, shaping her ability to bridge strategy, technology, and business.

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The UBA Exchange Communities are privileged moments where managers and experts discuss specific topics to help their brands evolve. Participation is free and exclusive to UBA brand members. Experience sharing is at the heart of these sessions.

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