Energy. Insight. Direction
Most companies are overwhelmed by change. I help them determine what to do next.
I'm Tom Palmaerts, a keynote speaker, trendwatcher, and partner at Trendwolves. For over 20 years, I've helped organizations understand what's upcoming and how it impacts their people, customers, and strategies.
Leaders invite me in when they need clarity. Not just a list of trends, but clear insights they can apply. Together, we analyze how societal and generational shifts influence behavior and what that means for your business.
I turn uncertainty into direction.
As a trendwatcher, I’m a generalist who thrives on stepping into specialist worlds. I enjoy listening to their stories, learning from their expertise, and weaving those insights into a broader narrative of change. That variety keeps my perspective sharp.
I look for stories of cultural change that feel close, human, and ready for action.
A researcher at heart
I started my career as a youth researcher, fascinated by subcultures. I helped organisations and media look past stereotypes and truly understand young people. That early anthropological work taught me how to listen without judgment, and how to translate complexity into clarity.
Still listening. Still learning.
Today, my curiosity reaches across generations, sectors, and cultures. Every quarter, I lead new research in collaboration with organisations, sometimes for internal innovation, sometimes for PR or strategic positioning.
Recent studies explored:
– What we expect from a home
– The impact of tourism on cities
– How generations view work
– The role of AI in workplace wellbeing
– How the job of a consultant is changing
My goal is always the same: To spark curiosity. To inspire action. Not with blind optimism, but with insight you can actually use.
Curious mind. Clear insights. Always.
Beyond the stage
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As a partner at Trendwolves, I help brands understand and engage with youth culture. We’re a strategic youth agency, translating generational shifts and trends into actionable strategies for companies.
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Every month, I host a one-hour online trend update, built around my latest research, recent reports, or current fascinations. Future Minds is designed for the curious—those who know that thinking about the future goes beyond their own sector. Together, we explore what’s next and look for the opportunities that tomorrow holds.
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My wine adventure in Argentina. A small, quality-driven vineyard where I can combine long-term thinking with something tangible. Wine lets me slow down, hold something real in my hands, and share it with friends and family.
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I also contribute my perspective in various advisory boards, including The Crystal Ship (Europe’s largest street art festival), Smaakhaven (Flanders’ upcoming culinary center), and Monsieur Boudin (a Ghent-based artisanal white sausage startup).
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I teach the course Trendwatching to international students of the Professional Bachelor Multimedia & Creative Technologies at KDG, University of Applied Sciences and Arts. Sharing practical tools and perspectives helps future creatives understand how to navigate change.
Alongside my work as a trendwatcher and keynote speaker, I like to keep my feet on the ground—sometimes literally.