Go out with a bang! Of course, you want to wrap up an event with a bang. And these days, there are far more options for that than just fireworks. Because how cool is it to blow your guests away one last time and send them home with a moment that’s etched in their memory?
That’s exactly what gets Erik de Groot of Dutch Drone Shows excited. Like a conductor, he brings together drones, music, animation, lighting, and pyrotechnics to create a single story in the sky.
From drone pioneer to storyteller in the sky
Dutch Drone Shows didn’t just come out of nowhere. The company combines years of experience in the events industry with in-depth knowledge of drone technology. What once began with remote-controlled vehicles and creating drone videos grew into technical expertise, collaborations with organizations such as the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Justice, and even its own flight school—all under the banner of Dutch Drone Group.
But somewhere along the way, a new challenge arose: what if you used all that technology not just to fly, but also to move people? That’s how the shift toward brand experience and entertainment came about. “It’s especially incredibly cool to put on the shows and see how happy they make people,” says Erik. According to him, the power of a drone show lies in storytelling. You tell a story on perhaps the biggest screen you can imagine: the sky. That’s how moments and milestones become unforgettable. And it’s precisely in that combination of technical expertise and creativity that Dutch Drone Shows sets itself apart.
One drone equals one pixel
A logo that appears meters-high above your head, animations that alternate, music that kicks in at exactly the right moment, and pyrotechnics that add an extra thrill to the whole experience. At Dutch Drone Shows, the show is built around a story from start to finish. Creative and always custom-made. The team brainstorms the theme, writes the scripts, creates the animations and design, and composes the music themselves. In this process, every drone is essentially a single pixel in a gigantic moving image. And that opens up quite a few possibilities.
From an emotional story centered on a special moment to “skyvertising,” where a brand, product, or message literally appears in the sky. Chances are, hundreds of phones will be raised at the same time, and the image will then continue to live on online.
The sky’s the limit
Still, a drone show doesn’t start with the number of drones or a spectacular design. The location determines what’s actually possible. After all, how will the audience view the show? What are the lines of sight? How much space is needed? What buffer zones must be maintained? And, not least importantly, is flying even permitted?
According to Erik, that’s precisely where a key part of Dutch Drone Shows’ unique value lies. “We really come from a drone technology background. That means we know exactly where the technical limits lie, but also where there’s room to go just a step further. Plus, we can secure permission to fly in the Netherlands within 24 hours,” says Erik.
New at Festivak: STARSTRUCK
And there’s news. During Festivak, Dutch Drone Shows will present STARSTRUCK for the first time. Different partners. Different disciplines, one brand. It’s the go-to place for organizers to handle various aspects of their event, from concept to execution.
The partners behind STARSTRUCK will share a booth at Festivak, and they’ll also join forces during the big drone show on Wednesday evening.
We’re not going home just yet…
Previous projects like Bridge To Liberation and the Steve Madden Show are high on Erik’s list of favorite productions. There’s still one huge item on his wish list: Het Nationaal Vuurwerk (the National Fireworks Display in Rotterdam). But first, another name will soon be added to the list: Festivak.
After the Networking Event, things are going to get wild one last time! Dutch Drone Shows will present one of the largest multidisciplinary drone shows ever staged in the Netherlands above the Brabanthallen. A show where drones, audio, visuals, and pyrotechnics come together for a spectacular finale.
So be sure to stick around a little longer. Catch the Networking Event. And make sure you’re outside when the first drones take to the sky.
📍 Festivak, Brabanthallen 's-Hertogenbosch
📅 Wednesday, November 18
🕘 8:45 p.m.
🚁 Dutch Drone Shows, booth #7-50