From 12 to 14 October 2026, the Belgian Microsoft Data & AI community will gather again in Mechelen for dataMinds Connect 2026.
Three days of sessions, deep dives, practical cases and hallway conversations. All centred around data, analytics, AI, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Azure, SQL Server and the wider Microsoft Data Platform.
And yes, LACO will be there.
As a sponsor of dataMinds Connect 2026, LACO is proud to support one of Belgium’s key events for data professionals. Not from the sidelines, but right in the middle of the conversation. With a team on site, a booth ready, and two LACO speakers on the agenda.
Why dataMinds Connect matters
dataMinds Connect is not just another data conference.
It brings together the people who build, govern, model, visualise and use data every day. Data engineers. BI experts. Architects. Analysts. AI specialists. Consultants. People who like a good technical discussion, but also want to know what actually works in real organisations.
That is exactly why LACO is joining as a sponsor.
For over four decades, LACO has helped organisations turn data into lasting business value. From data strategy and governance to architecture, engineering, reporting, AI and adoption. dataMinds Connect is the perfect place to share that experience, learn from others and connect with the wider Belgian data community.
Two LACO sessions at dataMinds Connect 2026
This year, two LACO colleagues will take the stage in Mechelen.
Wrong degree, right mindset: How the Human Sciences belong in data
Data is often seen as a technical field. Tools, models, code, pipelines, platforms. And of course, those matter.
But data is also about people.
How do teams understand information? How do stakeholders make decisions? Why do dashboards get ignored? Why do some data projects gain trust, while others never leave the meeting room?
In her session, Helena Lecluyse brings a fresh perspective to the data world. One that shows why a background in Human Sciences is not a detour, but a strong asset. Especially in a field where business context, communication and adoption can make or break the impact of data.
A great session for anyone starting in data, changing careers, or wondering why the human side of data deserves more attention.
Beyond dogma and chaos: Fit-for-purpose data modeling
Data modelling can easily become a battlefield.
Some teams follow one method by the book. Others move fast and leave structure for later. Both approaches can create problems. Too much dogma slows teams down. Too much chaos makes platforms hard to trust, scale and maintain.
In Beyond dogma and chaos: Fit-for-purpose data modeling, Maarten Van Stiphout explores a more pragmatic way forward.
The focus: choosing the right modelling approach for the context. Not because a framework says so, but because it helps the business answer questions, manage complexity and build a data platform that lasts.
A strong pick for data architects, engineers, analysts and decision-makers who want to move beyond theoretical debates and make better modelling choices in real projects.
Visit LACO at dataMinds Connect 2026
Between sessions, make sure to drop by the LACO booth.
Expect good conversations about data strategy, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Azure, Databricks, governance, AI and analytics. But also about careers in data, because we are always happy to meet people who want to build meaningful data solutions with us.
And yes, there will be coffee. Straight from our own LACO barista.
Good coffee.
The kind that helps you survive a packed conference day and keeps the data conversations going.
dataMinds Connect 2026 takes place from Monday 12 October to Wednesday 14 October 2026.
The event takes place at Lamot Conference and Heritage Centre in Mechelen, Belgium.
dataMinds Connect is a Belgian event for data professionals, with a strong focus on the Microsoft Data Platform, Microsoft Data & AI, Microsoft Fabric, Power BI, Azure, SQL Server and related technologies.
Absolutely. dataMinds Connect is widely recognised as one of the most important Microsoft Data & AI events in Belgium, attracting professionals from across Flanders, Brussels, Wallonia and neighbouring countries. It is particularly valuable for organisations that rely on Azure, Fabric and Power BI and want to stay close to best practices and the Belgian community using the same tools.
Yes. LACO is sponsoring dataMinds Connect 2026 and will be present at the event with a booth and two speakers on the programme.
