Belgium’s First Robotime Meetup: Seven Builders, One Creative Afternoon

On May 23, 2026, in Retie, Belgium, a table of miniature landmarks became an invitation to travel. A glowing Eiffel Tower stood beside a red London bus, while unopened Robotime kits waited for seven guests to choose their destination and begin building.

The gathering on May 23, 2026, was organized by Robotime Community member and Brand Ambassador Minus_88. It was her first time hosting—and Belgium’s first official Robotime DIY & Crafting Club Meetup.

What followed was not a large convention or a carefully choreographed workshop. It was something smaller and more personal: different generations sharing tools, working through tricky steps, and discovering how quickly a room of individual builders can start to feel like a community.

In this article

• Planning a miniature journey
• Seven builders, one shared table
• The Eiffel Tower moment
• A first meetup that became a beginning
• Build, share, and meet fellow makers

Planning a miniature journey

Weeks before the meetup, Minus_88 chose a travel, city-tripping, and holiday theme. The idea gave the event a clear identity without making it complicated: participants could select a city-inspired build, settle in with snacks and drinks, and spend the afternoon making their own small reminder of somewhere near or far. The display included recognizable landmarks and vehicles such as the illuminated Rolife Night of the Eiffel Tower and the Rolife London Tour Bus.

She originally hoped to welcome 10 to 15 people. Seven friends, relatives, and colleagues had confirmed before the event, and seven ultimately attended. The smaller group turned out to be a strength. It gave the host enough time to move around the table, answer questions, and notice when someone needed an extra pair of hands.

Seven builders, one shared table

Once building began, the room found its own rhythm. Some participants became quiet and deeply focused; others talked while they worked. One guest slowed down to guide another person through the same kit step by step. Around the tables, instructions, tools, snacks, and half-built models gradually became shared territory.

That mix of working styles is part of what makes a craft meetup welcoming. Everyone can concentrate in their own way, but no one has to solve every problem alone. Beginners can watch how another builder handles a delicate piece, while experienced makers are reminded that offering one timely tip can change someone else’s whole experience.

The Eiffel Tower moment

The afternoon’s most memorable story began with a mother and son building a Night of the Eiffel Tower together. They finished the model and had checked the lighting during assembly, but when they connected it at the end, the lights no longer worked. The completed structure could not be easily taken apart, and the source of the problem was not visible.

Minus_88 wanted them to leave with a working model, so she gave them the Eiffel Tower she had built herself. They took home both the piece they had made together and an illuminated version they could display.

Another participant was equally determined to complete her London Tour Bus. Although the event was scheduled to finish at 5 p.m., the venue remained available for another hour, giving her the time she needed to reach the final step. These moments captured the meetup at its best: progress mattered, but people mattered more.

A first meetup that became a beginning

Before everyone left, Nanci figures were shared as Community and activity prizes, including one won through a cheerful game of rock-paper-scissors. The gifts added some fun, but the clearest measure of the afternoon came from the participants themselves.

“If there will be another meetup, let me know. I want to come back.”

Others said the three-and-a-half hours had passed in a blink. One participant asked where to buy another kit and placed an order the following day. Another later planned to bring her unfinished model to a weekly crochet club so she could continue with support instead of working through it alone.

For Minus_88, the day also offered ideas for the future: reach more people through public noticeboards in nearby towns, keep learning as an organizer, and create more opportunities for local makers to meet. Belgium’s first official Robotime meetup may have begun with seven participants, but it ended with requests for the next one.

Build, share, and meet fellow makers

Meetups like this one begin with people who are willing to share a table, a few tools, and what they have learned. Visit the Robotime Community to share your builds, exchange tips with other makers, and discover future DIY & Crafting Club gatherings.

You can also read the meetup preparation story and the original recap on Robotime Community.

Story and photos contributed by Minus_88 and adapted by the Robotime Team. Participant comments have been lightly edited for punctuation and clarity.

Updated on Sep 20, 2026