With the Oostwegel Collection Awards, we celebrate our colleagues each year: the people who bring our properties to life every day. The OC Awards 2026 are a tribute to exceptional dedication, commitment, and passion for the profession. Colleagues from all properties were nominated and carefully assessed by a jury made up of representatives from various locations within the collection.
From visible hospitality at the forefront to indispensable forces behind the scenes, these awards show that true quality lies in our people. It is with great pride that we introduce the winners of 2026.
Article by:
Text – Oostwegel Collection
Photography – Xenna Biesmans
Welcome Award –
Stephan Schoefs
(Kruisherenhotel Maastricht)
Stephan Schoefs is hospitality in its purest form. A born professional with a keen eye for detail, who instinctively senses what a guest needs often before they realise it themselves. Whether it is carrying luggage, carefully parking a car or standing ready with umbrellas during a shower: nothing is too much trouble for Stephan.
His gallant, forward-thinking and composed manner make him a true gentleman. During tours of the Kruisherenhotel, he captivates his audience with stories about the building, its history and atmosphere, in a way that holds your attention effortlessly. Stephan embodies welcome and ensures every guest feels exactly that.
Service Award –
Anne Eenkoren
(Château Neercanne)
The Service Award goes to a colleague who, together with her team, consistently manages to surprise and look after a large number of guests at once, and does so exceptionally well. Anne Eenkoren delivers service in a way that very few can.
Her passion for the profession is extraordinary. Anne works hard, gives genuine attention to every guest, and possesses a great deal of empathy. She reads situations instinctively, puts guests at ease immediately and always thinks one step ahead. As Banqueting Manager of Château Neercanne, she is a driving force behind countless successful events.
Heart of House Award –
Dave Eggen
(Oostwegel Collection)
Behind every perfectly functioning property stands a team of quiet strengths. Dave Eggen is the prime example of that. For many years he has been an indispensable link within Château St. Gerlach and Oostwegel Collection. With his extensive technical knowledge, he knows every nook and cranny of our properties. Since 2024, he has held full responsibility for the technical department.
Over recent years, Dave has played a crucial role in various construction and renovation projects. Always flexible, always willing to help a colleague. What makes Dave exceptional is his sharp understanding of the impact that technical decisions have on the guest experience. He thinks proactively and knows how to coach his team to always put guest satisfaction first. A quiet force with an enormous influence.
Meaningful Career Award –
Nina Wirtz
(Oostwegel Collection)
Nina Wirtz has made an impressive journey within Oostwegel Collection. After years as an event planner and later manager of banquet sales and reservations at Winselerhof, she made the move to head office in early 2023 as Manager Group Sales & Reservations.
Today, Nina is responsible for the central reservations team and, together with the General Managers, oversees the M&E specialists across the properties. She knows our locations inside and out and understands better than anyone how to sell an event successfully. She was also one of the driving forces behind the implementation of Infor and played a key role in the centralisation of event planning and reservations.
Nina is an adviser to her colleagues, always ready to contribute, and nothing is ever too much trouble. A dedicated professional with a great heart for Oostwegel Collection and an inspiring example of a meaningful career within our organisation.
Savoir-Faire Award –
Banqueting Keukenteam
(Oostwegel Collection)
From intimate dinners to large-scale celebrations and events: the Banqueting Kitchen of Oostwegel Collection is always ready. This team understands better than anyone how gastronomy contributes to experience. With craftsmanship, flexibility and an enormous dose of teamwork, every guest's wishes are translated into dishes of a consistently high standard.
What makes this team exceptional is not only the quality on the plate, but also the collaboration behind the scenes. They support one another, work incredibly hard and always do so with the same goal in mind: making every occasion unforgettable. A shining example of savoir-faire.
Heritage Award –
Cor Schormans
(Château Neercanne)
Say Château Neercanne, and you say Cor Schormans. For more than 25 years he has been the face, the heart and the listening ear of the castle. From the moment Château Neercanne comes into view in the distance, the magic is palpable, a magic that Cor conveys like no other.
Since 2000 he has been connected to Château Neercanne, starting in the restaurant and since 2010 serving as host for events. From meetings to corporate parties, and from birthday celebrations to fairy-tale weddings. The latter in particular hold a special place in his heart. His drive and genuine attention make Cor an inseparable part of the heritage of Château Neercanne.
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