Stage Entertainment was recently awarded the King William I Award 2010 – one of the most important awards for Dutch businesses. The award was presented to Stage Entertainment by HRH Prince Willem Alexander. The Prince praised the innovative character and entrepreneurial qualities of Stage Entertainment and its founder, Joop van den Ende, who made the musical genre in The Netherlands into what it is today.

The King William I Award is the first business award for Stage Entertainment. Henk Kivits (CEO): It is a real honor for our company to receive this prestigious award. To us, it is an acknowledgment of the unique skill with which Joop van den Ende has managed to combine passion for theatre with a commercial operation. This has developed the musical business into a full-fledged industry in our country, and this award confirms that.'

The King William I Foundation hands out an award every two years to what it believes to be the best businesses in the large, medium and small scale industries. The foundation uses the awards to stimulate creative and innovative entrepreneurism, and to attract attention to positive developments in the Dutch economy. The award aims to emphasize the major importance of a healthy entrepreneurial climate to ensuring prosperity in The Netherlands.