Passion Events B.V. was born out of more than 45 years of passion for innovation and music. Initiator and owner Jos Ruiters bought his first vinyl at the age of 14, a single that would later prove to be the epitome of ‘one-hit-wonder’: Funkytown by Lipps, Inc (1979). Jos studied electrical engineering and business administration while hospitality and music remained constant themes throughout his career in the Telecom industry. For over a decade, Jos played percussion guitar in the Maastricht band EXPECTATIONS with gigs at De Muziekgieterij, among others. The entrepreneur eventually found decisive motivation, to found the not-for-profit organisation Passion Events B.V., in Stoicism, a philosophical movement that began around 300 BC in Greece. The core principle of this doctrine – the daily awareness of finitude – inspired him to embark on his new mission with abandon in 2023: ‘Facilitating the celebration of life together.’ Not tomorrow… but, now!

Accessible entertainment for guests, self-development for artists as well as boosting the regional economy, are high on Jos’ list of priorities. Asked about his inner measure of success, the social entrepreneur invariably says: ‘if something feels like a party, then it’s good’ and ‘that applies to everything in life’.

Passion Events B.V. undertakes (only) activities with ‘enthusiasm’ and ‘teamwork’ as its guiding principles, following the example of one of Germany’s most famous intellectuals, Roger Willemsen (15 august 1955 – 7 February 2016). In 2023, the organisation was implemented from investment company Meliorem Aequitas B.V., in particularly friendly cooperation with Jolanda Vonken, owner of brasserie Jolo’s and of party centre Het Streeperkruis, both located in Landgraaf.

Passion Events B.V. has been registered in the trade register of the chamber of commerce since 2024 and strives to operate in a budget-neutral, non-profit manner.