Founder @ DELIVER, elite events between Logistics leaders in Retail across Europe, US and Asia
Today, for DELIVER’s 10th anniversary, I want to share a very personal story. A story that happened 10 years ago. I get often asked why I launched an event bringing together the elite of the retail supply chain community. I usually respond that I wanted to close a market gap as I found events I attended quite deceptive. There is another answer: because I was born in a poor immigrant family and grew up socially isolated (for instance, I was never invited to birthday parties), I became the doorman of the best chic party in town selecting VIP guests. But as I launched it without any co-founder, any external funding nor any track record in events, many were telling me that I’d fail miserably. Even worse, like many social class defectors, I suffer from a strong impostor syndrome which suffocates me with constant doubts to this day. The ride has been insanely tough, hustling in a small attic 90 work hours a week, with days starting at 4am and my first paycheck received only 4 years after the company's inception. 10 years later, I am immensely grateful to those, customers, suppliers, institutions, employees, and family, who supported me all the way. 🙏 10 years later, I am also immensely proud of the company’s driving force: the 40 talented and passionate colleagues across the globe - the DELOVERS. 🙇 DELIVER, trusted by hundreds of market leaders and amazing startups across Europe, US and Asia, reinvents the entire event experience to deliver the best return on time and investment. DELIVER is also developing a new vision for companies : not to enrich their owner (I never paid myself a single cent of dividends), but to be socially useful. On top of fully compensating our decreasing CO2 emissions, we’ve been reinvesting 100% of our profit into sustainable & ethical funds, becoming hence a company with impact. I’m now very curious to see what the next 10 years will bring ;) #DELIVER10Years #Entrepreneurship #Gratitude #Pride
10 years ago, the DELIVER vision began in Stephane Tomczak's attic. Today we celebrate a decade of that vision, and all it has become: elite global events which unite and inspire, offering leaders in Europe, America and Asia the forum to network and forge powerful new connections across the retail and supply chain community. Join us in 2025 as we step into the next decade of DELIVER 💫 #DELIVER10Years #Retail #SupplyChain #Events Jesper Toubøl, Guido Jacobs, Bjoern Neal Kirchner, Maite Jiménez, Jane Burkitt (She/Her), Soldan Valentino
Stephane Tomczak
2mo
Some founders started in their garage. I started in my attic (or should I say my monk cell ;) Everytime I look back at this pic from my very humble beginnings, I see the fragile seed of an events company that turned global and that's now recognized as a leader. Onwards and upwards! 🚀
Nikki Whyman
2mo
An incredible achievement Stephane Tomczak 👏 The strong values you've instilled in DELIVER are truly admirable and a testament to our success the first ten years and for decades to come!
Jim Headley
2mo
Hello Stephane, we met at one of your events in Lisbon about 5 years ago. Thank you for sharing your story. You are an incredible Pioneer and I wish and your team a very prosperous next 10 years. Congratulations Jim
Abbas Ali
2mo
Congrats Stephane. As someone who attended the first event in Luxembourg, I can honestly say you've accomplished a great milestone!
Jérémie Falzone
2mo
Magnifique Stéphane ! Bravo
Founder @ DELIVER, elite events between Logistics leaders in Retail across Europe, US and Asia
2moLooking back on that decade-long journey, I want to express my utmost gratitude to those who trusted me from the get-go 10 years ago to start getting the snowball rolling Laurent Hannois John Acton Geopost RAJA DHL CMC Packaging Automation Colis Privé Quadient GS1 🙏 🫶