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 started my career as a youth researcher, fascinated by subcultures. I wanted to help organizations and media paint a more nuanced picture of young people—beyond the stereotypes. This anthropological work taught me to truly listen without judgment and uncover the diversity within groups that, at first glance, might seem the same. Translating those insights into stories that open minds to unfamiliar cultures and symbols became my driving force.
Today, my curiosity extends beyond youth and into broader societal shifts. The approach remains the same: understanding how groups, innovators, and entrepreneurs move and what we can learn from them. My goal is to spark curiosity, not blind optimism. I want to help people see change differently—not as something to fear, but as an opportunity to discover, adapt, and grow.
Curious mind. Clear insights. Always.
Beyond the stage
Alongside my work as a keynote speaker and trendwatcher, I like to keep my feet on the ground—sometimes literally.
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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.
“An accelerated trip in our today’s future.”
— Eric Geuens (MAPFRE RE MADRID)