Arjen Nauta | Sr. Scientist Nutritional Sciences FrieslandCampina Innovation Center

‘The beach is particularly attractive for our younger participants’

Arjen Nauta is Sr. Scientist Nutritional Sciences with the FrieslandCampina Innovation Center. He is also the treasurer of the LAB (Lactic Acid Bacteria) conference. The LAB conference is organised in the Netherlands every three years. Between 500 and 600 international PhD students, professors, suppliers and producers of consumer products – mainly from the dairy industry – attended the 11th edition last year. “If there is one theme in vogue, it is healthy nutrition. Hence, the LAB conference, covering applications and new developments in the field of lactic acid bacteria for the purpose of applications - especially in dairy products - always has great appeal. For the last few years we have come to the North Holland seaside resort of Egmond aan Zee. Hotel Zuiderduin has everything we are looking for. We can house the conference and the guests for the entire week under one roof, which is good for the general atmosphere. The location is relatively close to the airport and a great base for social activities in the area. Thus, we have taken our international guests to such places as Volendam and Enkhuizen. And, last but not least, Hotel Zuiderduin is located on the beach. That can be particularly attractive for, in particular, our younger participants, the PhD students. They are the scientists of the future, so that is where our focus lies.”