From Then to Now: How DACT Has Evolved

From Treasury Exhibition to Treasury Fair

The first DACT Treasury Fair took place on 25 November 2003. What began as a meeting place for service providers and corporate treasurers grew into one of the most important events on the Dutch treasury calendar.

In 2007 and 2008, the fair was held at Madurodam. In 2009, masterclasses were added to the programme, with Professor Arnoud Boot as the first speaker. By 2012, the fair had developed into a two-day event.

Following the disruption caused by COVID-19, the in-person Treasury Fair returned in March 2022.

In 2024, the fair attracted 655 participants and 50 exhibitors. In 2025, attendance again reached 655 participants, with 47 exhibitors.

The 2026 edition welcomed 670 visitors and 50 exhibitors, featuring 27 specialist sessions and three keynote presentations.

From Workshops and PEP to DACT Academy

Knowledge sharing has been at the heart of DACT since its foundation. In its early years, the association primarily organised individual workshops and seminars.

In 2008, DACT introduced the Permanent Education Programme (PEP), establishing continuing professional development as a structured part of its activities.

In 2013, the first documented online course, ‘SEPA Get Ready’, was launched.

With the introduction of ‘DACT on College Tour’ in 2015, academic knowledge became an increasingly prominent part of the events programme. In 2016, this was expanded with a College Tour focusing on soft skills.

From 2022 onwards, new DACT Academy educational modules were documented. In 2025, DACT Academy celebrated its fifth edition.

From Annual Dinner to a Diverse Networking Programme

The first Annual Dinner took place in 1998 at the Kurhaus in Scheveningen.

In 2001, DACT introduced a welcome reception for new members. This evolved into the Walking Dinner in 2009.

Over the years, new opportunities to connect emerged, including Autumn Dinners, Round Table Conferences and specialised networking events.

DACT Young Professionals was established in 2014, followed by the Interim Treasurers Platform in 2015, Women in Treasury in 2022 and the Public Sector Network in 2026.

From Knowledge Sharing to Recognition and Research

Alongside events and education, DACT developed initiatives to raise the profile of the treasury profession.

The Treasury Award became a platform for recognising outstanding treasury projects. Gasunie won the second edition in 2021, followed by ASML in 2023 and Accell Group in 2024.

In 2023, DACT introduced the Treasury Thesis Contest. The first winner was Renze Folkeringa, with his research titled ‘Sovereign to Corporate Credit Risk Spillover’.

In 2024, DACT launched the Treasury Trends Tracker in collaboration with Rabobank and Orchard Finance. This biennial study explores trends and developments within the treasury profession. The first findings were presented at Treasury Fair 2025.

From a Traditional Association to a Digital Community

DACT has also evolved behind the scenes.

In 2007, the first printed annual report was published, including a multi-year strategic plan.

In 2015, a Code of Conduct was introduced, alongside new committees and professional platforms.

In 2023, DACT established an Advisory Council and further developed its sustainability initiatives, including the digitalisation of brochures and the use of more sustainable materials.

In 2024, a new membership management system was introduced and integrated with the DACT website, further streamlining membership administration and event registration.