In a whirlwind week that bridged borders and praised innovation, CultureSuite celebrated the 200th release of Peppered CMS. From the bustling heart of Rotterdam in the Netherlands to the charming streets of Sint Niklaas in Belgium, we gathered with over 40 representatives from our community of venues to reflect on our journey, share insights, and shape the future of digital solutions in the arts and culture sector.
The first day, held in Rotterdam, was filled with insightful talks on the latest developments in digital and the cultural field, delicious Dutch stroopwafels, and traditional Scottish snacks from our team across the North Sea. On the second day, our team was warmly welcomed by Cultuurcentrum Sint Niklaas as we travelled to Belgium to connect with our community of cultural organisations.
For those who couldn’t attend, here are some key highlights and insights from both events.
The history of CultureSuite
On both days, we explored the journey that has shaped CultureSuite and the collaborations that have fuelled its development. Founded 24 years ago, we started as a more traditional web agency before transitioning to deliver a SaaS platform with Peppered CMS in 2014 and officially merged with After Digital in 2024. Initially focused on providing cost-saving solutions for theatres needing websites, CultureSuite now serves 52 clients in the Netherlands, 24 in Belgium, 4 in the UK and 2 in the USA, with ambitions to expand its partner network for greater relevance in the sector.
Chief Product Officer, Ivo van der Ent, guided us through the technical evolution of CultureSuite and the Peppered platform, highlighting the journey from early rigid website blocks to today’s user-friendly SaaS platform that boosts marketing efficiency for venues. Thanks to collective input over the years, we’ve reached 200 releases that have significantly shaped the platform. It was crucial for clients to understand their role in the sector, the broader digital revolution, and the journey that brought us here, as well as the potential we have to make a meaningful impact in the digital space. As we celebrate Peppered's 200th release, we reflect on our unique position at the intersection of digital and culture.
Here are some key insights.
Technology’s Impact on Culture
The way we experience culture has been radically transformed by technology. Our strength over the years lies in being a community-driven platform. Client feedback and ideas have been the catalyst for innovations that benefit everyone. From enhancing how theatres serve their visitors to addressing practical challenges like wayfinding and queuing, these issues have continuously fuelled the growth and evolution of the platform, shaping it into what it is today.
Innovation Through Collaboration
COVID highlighted the power of collaboration and how seamlessly we could support our clients as cultural venues faced identical challenges. Our community-driven approach allowed us to quickly address operational issues and share solutions across the board—from processing refunds to implementing socially distanced ticketing—all helping venues navigate the same hurdles during the pandemic.
The Future: Streamlined Simplicity
As digital landscapes grow more complex, we’re focused on simplifying the user experience. With new features on the horizon and AI already enhancing our knowledge base, we’re making it easier for venues and patrons to stay engaged.
Digital accessibility
Imagine a dial you can turn to increase your audience by 30%—that dial is digital accessibility. During our 200th release celebrations in Rotterdam, Pim from Digitaal Toegankelijk shared insights during his talk, explaining that while there’s no reason for digital spaces to have barriers, the majority of websites (more than 90%) are not accessible to the broader public.
As CultureSuite’s partner, Digitaal Toegankelijk will help clients identify and remove obstacles, making the sector more inclusive through both technical and content solutions. Pim walked us through some digitally accessible websites, as well as some that are completely inaccessible.
Here are some takeaways Pim gave to our community.
Accessibility bolsters your SEO performance
Making your website digitally accessible is not only good for inclusion—Google favours accessible websites, improving your search engine rankings and attracting more attention from funding organisations.
Change your perspective
Don’t ask, "How can we make this more inclusive?" Instead, ask, "Who are we excluding?" Consider accessibility during the initial stages of website design and content creation, rather than as an afterthought. Involve people with disabilities in testing your digital platforms to gather authentic feedback and identify areas for improvement.
Speak to an expert
Don’t hesitate to consult with accessibility experts who can provide insights and guidance tailored to your specific needs.
From click to connection
During the Rotterdam event, Sander Billekins of Afdeling Online, partner of CultureSuite, guided us through his expert marketing knowledge. He mapped the journey of a theatre-goer searching for programs and explained how venues can stay top of mind by tailoring their web experience for different audiences. He also demonstrated how theatres can fully leverage Peppered’s built-in features.
With Afdeling Online and CultureSuite collaborating in the Dutch market, Sander shared valuable insights from their shared cultural clients.
Here are some tips that Sander discussed with us:
- Think from your audience's perspective. Consider factors such as how far visitors are willing to travel for a performance and what makes your theatre unique.
- Use data effectively to create personalised landing pages. This helps provide layered information and increases engagement.
- Focus on email marketing, as there is significant potential for returns in the cultural sector.
- Utilise social media to create an experience, rather than just sharing standard marketing content about a performance.
Shared values
Both days concluded with drinks and celebrations to mark the 200th release. The insightful conversations with clients sparked fresh ideas for future developments. A key takeaway from both days was the shared vision across cultural venues, from Antwerp to Amsterdam and even travelling musicians. Many marketing managers face similar challenges and share common goals in their digital strategies.
It was inspiring to witness the exchange of insights, the direct responses to questions from our team, and the collaborative discussions around pressing issues, as well as the sense of community with both familiar and new faces. We look forward to welcoming you at the next event.
Next steps
No matter what stage you're at in your search for the perfect web platform or digital marketing tool for your venue, we'll help you get the information you need to make the right decision.
- Want to see how Peppered works?
We’re proud of how easy we make it for venues to manage their website. That’s why live event venues around the world trust Peppered. Book a personalised demo. - Looking to partner with us?
If you’re a technology provider, design agency or supplier for the arts and culture sector, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us here. - Want to learn more about digital tools for venues?
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