'The opportunities for our industry are very large' - an interview with Marc Mestdagh of FeWeb

FeWeb is the Belgian federation for Web developers. The federation is aimed at all companies that provide services or products involving Internet technology. These are primarily developers of websites and web applications, but also increasingly specialized companies in areas such as SEO or social media.
FeWeb is committed to professionalize and bundle the Internet sector, both in Flanders, Brussels and Wallonia. FeWeb currently has over 550 members. In January FeWeb will present itself with some of its members at a special FeWeb Square on the E-shop Expo. Time for a couple of questions for Marc Mestdagh, managing director of FeWeb.

Can you tell us about the activities of FeWeb?

In recent years FeWeb has been active in shaping a professional organization that offers various services for the benefit of its 550 members (professional liability insurance, quality assurance, information exchange, networking, etc.).

For the second year in a row FeWeb will be presenting a specific FeWeb area on the the E-shop Expo What can visitors expect?

Like last year, visitors will get a nice sample of the great diversity in the sector (and our Association). Visitors are informed by the members on the various aspects of web development and internet technology.

FeWeb has been active in the Belgian e-commerce industry for over 7 years. You have thus seen develop the industry greatly. What are the main developments you have seen in recent years and what are the expectations for the industry for the coming year?

Companies that provide Internet services, albeit traditional information websites, e-commerce applications or complex applications where the Internet plays a role (such as ERP, CRM, ...) will undoubtedly require more work in the coming years.

The opportunities for our industry are very large, but an increasing complexity and especially the speed at which technology and the resulting products and services evolve, compel the companies to not only be enthusiastic and flexible, but also to be professional and collegial. This is essential for the future of web companies, and FeWeb wants to contribute to this.

FeWeb also has a quality label: the label QforWeb. Can you tell us more about it?

Last year we have evaluated the quality label we have rolled out in 2006. We then decided to review the procedure and open up more typical 'sector' (or rather technical) aspects. The original label was just about the general entrepreneurship of the companies. Now we are in an advanced stage of a new label, in collaboration with Information Management, the organization in Belgium responsible for the Qfor label. More will be explained at the general meeting of FeWeb in early March.

What are the plans for FeWeb in 2011?

For 2011, some important issues are on the agenda. First, Peter Ryckaert, CEO of the Mechelen Digipoint will be appointed as Chairman of the Board of Directors, in support of Marc Mestdagh, who continues as managing director operations. The operation of the organization is further expanded in function of the greater diversity of service providers (eg social media agencies, mobile app developers, ...). As a recognized, representative professional association FeWeb will continue its work on a wider geographical (for the whole of Belgium) coverage as well as an effective governance required to face the increasing responsibility of FeWeb expected from the various actors (government, affiliated organizations, training institutions ...).