02 Executive Board report

Bringing people together, connecting and inspiring by facilitating valuable meetings has been our purpose for over 130 years. Since 1961 we have operated from our multifunctional exhibition and conference centre on the Europaplein square in Amsterdam. We also organise our own events worldwide, either independently or in partnership. Organising and facilitating events are our core activities. Market developments and the growing appeal of the city have led us since the early 2000s to increasingly focus on multi-day international events while also prioritising key Dutch sectors.

In 2024 we organised and facilitated a total of 345 events (2023: 322).

By ‘facilitating’ we mean that our organisation provides a hospitable environment at RAI Amsterdam, our convention centre on Europaplein. In the reporting year, this applied to 338 events (2023: 314). In such cases, we facilitate the event for an organiser. Although these are usually an external party, RAI Amsterdam’s own teams organised 17 events in 2024 (2023: 18). Seven of these took place abroad in other exhibition and conference venues (2023: 8), and 10 events were held at RAI Amsterdam (2023: also 10). 

More than 17,300 exhibitors showcased their products, services, concepts and ideas at these events (2023: 16,400). Over 70 percent came from outside the Netherlands, underlining the international nature of these events. In 2024, we welcomed more than 1.44 million visitors (2023: almost 1.5 million).

The satisfaction levels among customers is a key indicator which we systematically track using a rating system with a minimum score of 1 and maximum of 10. Organisers of events awarded RAI Amsterdam an average score of 8.1 in 2024 (2023: 8.2), exhibitors a rating of 7.8 (2023: 7.6), and visitors scored 8.2 (2023: 7.5). We are pleased that the vast majority of our customers give us such positive evaluations.

   RAI Amsterdam as organiser

Several of our own events are directly aimed at strengthening the Dutch-government-defined top sectors, such as GreenTech (horticulture & propagation materials), METSTRADE (maritime), and Aquatech (water). We also organise events that focus on other relevant sectors. Innovations and challenges in the field of mobility are presented and discussed during Intertraffic and the Amsterdam Drone Week, while Horecava serves as a key event for professionals in the food service industry. The Huishoudbeurs provides a platform for everyone who enjoys tasting, sampling and shopping.

We take pride in holding a leading position in all these sectors thanks to our events. This extends far beyond the Dutch borders as we organise several of these events with partners in locations such as Mexico and China.

  RAI Amsterdam as facilitator

Thanks to its central location, excellent accessibility, wide range of activities and dynamic business environment, the Netherlands in general and Amsterdam in particular is an attractive destination for organisers. As RAI Amsterdam we maintain close contacts with international organisers, helping them connect with key stakeholders in our city. In this role, we act as both a networking hub and a local partner. For organisers, we serve as a local ambassador, providing access to the city, region, leading businesses and institutions in key sectors, as well as social and community organisations and suppliers. Our strong network in Amsterdam enables us to further enhance events by creating unique experiences, set against the iconic backdrop of this historic canal city.

In addition to our extensive network, we have expanded our range of products and services over the years to provide comprehensive support to organisers. This includes everything from hotel services to IT solutions, stand construction and catering. A selection of the developments in 2024 is outlined in the following section while some of the remarkable events that we organised and/or facilitated in 2024 are highlighted below.

  Selection of events in 2024

RAI Amsterdam is more than just an exhibition and conference venue. We are a networking organisation, offering a wide range of facilities and services for organisers, exhibitors and visitors. Continuously working to enhance sustainability, improve operations and expand our products and services, we also strive to contribute wherever possible to the city and its residents.

  RAI Sustainability

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of our operations. Everything we do is guided by our commitment to responsible business practices. We strive to balance societal costs and benefits while considering the perspectives and experiences of the community. Our ongoing efforts focus on reducing or preventing negative societal impacts while maximising positive contributions. The results of these efforts are detailed in this section.

RAI Amsterdam has committed to the following CSR initiatives:

• Net Zero Carbon Event Pledge – We are a supporter of the Net Zero Carbon Event Pledge, launched in Glasgow in 2021. This initiative unites the event industry in the fight against climate change, working towards net zero emissions by 2050.
  

• Green Deal Zero Emission City Logistics – In 2019, RAI Amsterdam signed the Green Deal Zero Emission City Logistics, an initiative by the Amsterdam Economic Board aimed at achieving emission-free urban deliveries by 2025 and eliminating harmful emissions caused by city logistics.
  

• Zero Waste Zuidas – Also in 2019, RAI Amsterdam signed the Zero Waste Zuidas agreement, an initiative by the Amsterdam Economic Board and Green Business Club Zuidas. The goal is to establish a circular Zuidas district with zero residual waste by 2030. This involves preventing waste wherever possible and ensuring that remaining waste streams are sorted and processed in a high-quality manner.

RAI Amsterdam has also developed a data sheet that provides organisers with key insights into the CO₂ footprint of their events. It includes data on energy and water consumption, heating and cooling usage, and waste volumes per waste stream.

  RAI Hotel Services

We are the largest accommodation intermediary in Amsterdam and the surrounding region, handling hotel bookings for conferences, exhibitions and other events. The RAI Hotel Services team carefully selects the most suitable accommodations for organisers, exhibitors and visitors, ensuring they receive the best hotel options at the most competitive rates. Exhibitions are a key commercial event in the year for exhibitors, involving important client meetings, product launches and networking opportunities. RAI Hotel Services takes care of the entire accommodation process, booking customised reservations of up to hundreds of rooms per exhibitor. This allows teams and business partners to stay together, maximising their event participation and facilitating seamless activities beyond the exhibition floor. In addition, RAI Hotel Services assists with finding suitable venues for corporate events in the city.

In the reporting year, we processed over 40,300 bookings (2023: 37,100), covering more than 132,000 overnight stays (2023: over 130,000). For IBC, we utilised the IAmsterdam Approved label, ensuring that sufficient hotel rooms were secured for this citywide event in collaboration with partner hotels.

RAI Hotel Services works in partnership with the Green Hotel Club, a foundation dedicated to sustainable development in the hotel sector. Through this collaboration, we aim to offer environmentally friendly and sustainable accommodations for visitors to Amsterdam.

  RAI Food & Beverage

The food & beverages experience is a major component of every exhibition, conference, stage show or other event. RAI Amsterdam facilitates all aspects of this for organisers, exhibitors and visitors alike. From stand socials to professional baristas and exciting cocktail shakers to fully catered receptions and gala dinners, we can provide a custom solution for any occasion ourselves and with selected suppliers.

 RAI Safety & Security

RAI Amsterdam has had a Safety at Work policy in place since 2010. Unique in the event industry, it is aimed at minimising injuries during the build-up and breakdown of events in our halls. The experience, knowledge, policy and communication tools resulting from this approach are actively shared by RAI Amsterdam with other event locations in the Netherlands and abroad.

  RAI Design & Build

Our Design & Build team helps organisers and exhibitors optimise their exhibition, reduce any logistical impact in and around RAI Amsterdam, and provide a circular stand construction solution. The team is an expert in floor plan layouts and ensures optimal use of space on the exhibition floor. RAI Design & Build offers modular stand construction, a complete package of products and services for stands, and can deliver fully built stands, allowing organisers and exhibitors to focus entirely on their commercial goals.

The team offers a range of stand construction packages made from ecological and recycled materials as well as lightweight aluminium. All parts of modular stands are reused. The modular approach enables faster and more efficient buildup. Exhibitions that use fully modular stand construction require fewer buildup days. The stands are equipped with LED lighting and also suitable for high-end presentations. Using modular stand construction minimises transport movements as storage takes place in the region, suppliers are in-house or located near Amsterdam, and fewer cargo movements are needed to transport the same amount of stand space. This results in 50% fewer transport movements, 45% lower CO₂ emissions and nearly 100% circularity.

In 2024, Design & Build supported 6,300 exhibitors with modular stand construction, accounting for more than one-third of all exhibitors at RAI Amsterdam (2023: 5,300). A total of 38,000 m² of fabric was printed. The expertise of Design & Build is also highly valued internally within RAI as they support colleagues from Markets, Exhibitor Services and Floor Management, ensuring knowledge retention and accelerating the rollout of innovations across various events. During the reporting year, work continued on the second trial phase of the Better Stands Programme, which has been adopted by 11 external organisers.

  RAI IT

Wi-Fi 6 and WBA OpenRoaming
With thousands of visitors a day the RAI requires and provides fast, stable and secure (mobile) networks and applications for data traffic. Our premises are connected to AMS-IX, the largest internet hub in Europe. The infrastructure was developed to allow a huge number of devices – 5,000 cabled systems and 30,000+ mobile devices – to simultaneously connect to the network. We also apply 24/7 connectivity monitoring. Our IT team works closely with local suppliers to keep the quality of our systems and applications at the highest possible level. This also benefits clients who require highly specialised knowledge and expertise for their events. 

All halls at the RAI are equipped with Wi-Fi 6, the fast standard for wireless internet communication. We’ve also implemented OpenRoaming, making typing in Wi-Fi passwords and clicking pop-ups a thing of the past. OpenRoaming allows mobile devices to quickly, automatically and safely connect to the Wi-Fi network in our exhibition and conference complex.

  RAI Logistics

Our Logistics department is focused on all traffic movements and facilities related to the RAI.

Parking en P+R
The RAI has over 3,500 parking spaces and the capacity to accommodate 4,000 vehicles (including the use of spaces in front of the building) plus 200 spaces in the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel garage. We also provide 50 spaces for charging electric vehicles. Concentrating parking spaces on the premises strengthens our position by increasing customer satisfaction, stimulating smooth traffic flows and reducing nuisance for the neighbourhood

Some 221,000 P+R customers used our garages in 2024 (2023: 232,000). By allowing them to park at times when no major events were taking place, these city centre visitors could continue their journey into the city via the North-South metro line. The decline in users compared to 2023 is due to the reduced availability of P&R.

Combi-deals: public transport and event tickets
We proactively stimulate the use of public transport to offer visitors an alternative to driving and minimise car use around the RAI. Deals that combine tickets to exhibitions and transport, offered in partnership with the public transport companies NS and GVB, are more convenient and cheaper. Our webshop completed over 53,700 transactions online (2023: 48,700). An evening parking ticket was introduced in 2024 for  parking from 17:00 to 01:00 on non-event days. This initiative helps reduce traffic congestion in the city centre for those visiting the theatre or dining out. A total of 7,500 customers made use of the evening ticket.

RAI Logistics Management System
The Logistics Management System allows us to manage truck transport from departure to arrival and help drivers optimise their journey, ensuring they reach their final destination at the right time and avoid inactivity once there. The aim is to further reduce the number of vehicles roaming the neighbourhood and any congestion caused by freight transport. The system was used for over 22,900 bookings in 2024 (2023: approx. 17,000). Strictly coordinated time slots were implemented for check-in and check-out of drivers at all events with the exception of Jumping Amsterdam which involves the transport of live animals.

Use of buffer zones
During exhibitions for which busy build-up and/or breakdown periods are expected, some 15,000 m² of external premises in Westpoort (outside the Amsterdam ring-road) is used as a buffer zone. Incoming traffic is directed to this area, where the vehicles are registered before being invited to drive through to RAI Amsterdam in an orderly fashion. This significantly spreads truck traffic around the RAI. The buffer zone was used on 77 days in 2024 (2023: 48).

  Energy

Despite hosting significantly more events, our energy consumption only increased slightly. A total of 104 TJ (Terajoule) of energy was consumed in 2024 (2023: 100). RAI Amsterdam is committed to becoming a venue free of fossil-fuel sources and aims to be as CO₂-free as possible.

Around two-thirds of our energy consumption is electricity, totalling 64 TJ (2023: 62). All electricity used is green energy, which has no CO₂ footprint. Almost all this power is generated by wind energy in the Netherlands, with a small portion supplied by our own solar panels.

Approximately one-third of our energy comes from district heating, which is derived from residual heat generated by industrial processes, energy production and waste separation. In 2024, we used 39 TJ of district heating (2023: 36).

The gas we still consume in addition to district heating is 100% green gas, fully offset through CO₂ certificates. This gas consumption was very minimal at 0.6 TJ (2023: 2.6).

RAI Amsterdam’s central cooling and heating system operates on electricity and district heating, eliminating the need for gas. This results in a significant reduction in energy consumption and CO₂ emissions. We utilise a thermal storage (CHS) system in the ground, enabling efficient cooling and heating of facilities.

In previous years, we installed a total of 1,806 solar panels for our own use. There are 1,632 panels on the roof of Hall 8 and 174 panels on the Amtrium building. In 2020, an additional 2,164 panels were installed to supply energy to the nhow Amsterdam RAI hotel. Since this energy is allocated to the hotel, it does not affect our CO₂ footprint. Unfortunately, we were unable to use the solar panels for energy generation during most of 2024 after they were temporarily taken out of operation in order to comply with higher safety standards. We are currently assessing whether a technical adjustment or full system renewal is the best solution. As a result, the amount of solar-generated electricity decreased in 2024, with only 0.9 TJ of consumed power coming from our own solar panels (2023: 3.3).

We have replaced fluorescent lighting with LED at several locations on our premises, including the P1 and P2 parking areas. The rollout of LED lighting also includes sensor installation, ensuring that lights automatically switch off when not needed. Security staff can now centrally control the lighting in the halls from the control room. Standby power consumption is being monitored and prioritised, with structural solutions under development. The climate control system is programmed according to time schedules, preventing any unnecessary heating or cooling of rooms. We have implemented a heating strategy to avoid heat loss during the buildup phase at certain exhibitions, ensuring that warm air does not escape while the hall is being preheated.

In 2022, we initiated a stakeholder dialogue with energy providers and the Municipality of Amsterdam regarding the future generation and use of energy. Several discussions were held over the past year as part of this ‘energy roundtable’ to explore ways in which the RAI area could become a net energy source. RAI Energy BV was established in 2023 to facilitate potential energy initiatives together with partners.

   CO2-footprint

We have been calculating our carbon footprint since 2012. Total CO₂ emissions in 2024 amounted to 2,412 tonnes (2023: 3,740). District heating is a more sustainable energy source than natural gas. The residual heat generated by industrial processes, energy production and waste separation is utilised through the district heating network.

Co2 footprint/Net Zero Carbon Event Pledge
RAI supports the Net Zero Carbon Event Pledge (https://netzerocarbonevents.org). This initiative is developing a roadmap for the industry that shows how the organisations involved can move towards net zero in 2050 and halve their footprint by 2030.

   Noise

RAI Amsterdam uses an acoustic map that enables us to accurately predict when we need to apply for a noise exemption permit. Four such permits are allowed per year at the RAI and we applied for three during 2024 (2023: four).

  Water savings

Saving water is becoming increasingly important. While the quality of Dutch drinking water is very high from an international perspective, global freshwater supplies are under growing pressure. RAI Amsterdam aims to be an example in this regard by working towards efficient water consumption. RAI Amsterdam has also installed various water refill stations, allowing visitors and employees to fill their reusable water bottles. In addition, a water-saving toilet concept has been implemented. The sanitary facilities were also upgraded in the first quarter of 2024, with 84% of the materials used in the renovation made from recycled plastic.

  Food waste

Any leftover food at the RAI is given a new and valuable purpose wherever possible. Our kitchen continuously seeks ways to repurpose catering. For example, leftover food is used in our company restaurant. In principle, the RAI kitchen prepares a three-course lunch every Thursday for a local community centre of the Salvation Army, serving around 50 people each time. This meal is made using high-quality surplus food from the RAI – mainly prepared meals that cannot be donated to a food bank. Every Wednesday, a warm meal made from surplus ingredients is donated to the Salvation Army for homeless people in Amsterdam. Every Tuesday, we donate a two-course meal for 40 people to the Amsterdam foundation Stichting Dynamo. These kinds of initiative ensure that leftover meals have social value.

A RAI Donation Room was organised at 10 exhibitions. This programme sees volunteers collect leftover products after an event and distribute them to social initiatives in the region that can make good use of them. The initiative prevents waste while supporting organisations such as the local food bank and the Salvation Army with useful resources. In doing so surplus products are given a valuable new purpose.

RAI Amsterdam is transforming the RAI site at Europaplein, working on the development of a fully integrated RAI Quarter – a mixed-use district that will combine conference facilities, workspaces, residences and urban green spaces, with transit connections for slow traffic. Key aspects of this transformation include modernising the convention centre into a sustainable and innovative venue and strengthening the connection between the RAI Quarter, its surroundings and the city.

  Launch agreement signed for transformation of RAI area

On 24 October 2024, the Municipality of Amsterdam and RAI Amsterdam signed an agreement to start transforming the RAI area together. This agreement marks the beginning of the planning phase for the area’s development by RAI Amsterdam. The shared goal is to create a development plan that reinforces our position as a leading exhibition and conference centre while transforming the RAI site into a vibrant and accessible area with integrated housing, amenities and green spaces. The municipality facilitates this process and has a supervisory role. The area development plan focuses on turning the RAI site into a sustainable and multifunctional meeting place, while the venue plan centres on modernisation – a crucial investment to maintain the RAI’s economic impact on the metropolitan region.

Input from the local community and stakeholders is essential in order to further connect the RAI with the neighbourhood and ensure a successful transition. We therefore launched a participation process at the end of 2024, inviting residents and various stakeholders to contribute their ideas for the area’s development.

  City of Amsterdam development strategy

  Employee satisfaction

Employee satisfaction is a crucial yardstick and instrument for the ongoing improvement of our company. Two surveys were conducted in 2024 to measure employee satisfaction at RAI Amsterdam as an employer. At the end of the reporting year, we received a satisfaction score of 7.9. The comparable score at the end of 2023 (from a survey conducted at the beginning of 2024) showed exactly the same result, indicating that satisfaction levels remain stable.

  Labour market and acquisition

A total of 134 new colleagues were recruited in 2024 (2023: 92). The average employment duration for employees who left the organisation was 337 days for those with a permanent contract and 62 days for those with a temporary contract.

During 2024 we transitioned to inclusive recruitment, meaning that, wherever possible, names and other indicators of cultural identity are omitted from the selection process. A simple example of this approach is that the HR staff member conducting the initial selection does not have access to the candidate’s name.

The experience we provide to interns frequently leads to employment at RAI Amsterdam. In addition to the mutual benefits that an internship already offers to candidate and company alike, continuing the relationship through employment has further advantages. The new employee is already familiar with the organisation, and RAI Amsterdam can expect a well-matched team member. In addition, the new employee is already trained and often quickly becomes an ambassador for future interns.

Despite the ongoing tight labour market, we were able to successfully recruit employees for relevant positions throughout the reporting year, with only very limited exceptions such as specialist IT roles. By the end of 2024, staffing levels were almost fully in line with the planned formation, just as they had been at the start of the year. With a Time to Hire of 42 days, our recruitment process from start to completion was significantly faster than the market average in our region.

Diversity and inclusion

In everything we do, we aim to be an inclusive organisation with an inclusive corporate culture. Our goal is to create an environment where everyone not only excels professionally but also feels truly at home. Diversity is not just an objective at RAI Amsterdam – it is an integral part of our identity. Similarly, inclusivity is not just a concept – it defines how we wish every individual to experience our shared space.

Our D&I policy outlines these efforts to ensure a diverse and inclusive RAI and applies to all employees, regardless of their position. RAI Amsterdam has a dedicated D&I team focused on strengthening our diverse, equal and inclusive culture. A strong network of ambassadors also plays a key role in these efforts. The central question guiding our D&I team is always: "What do you need to be successful?" By taking this approach, we encourage everyone to reach their full potential. The D&I team and ambassadors collaborate on various projects, engage in conversations with colleagues, refine objectives and ambitions, and organise internal events on the theme of diversity and inclusion. Initiatives introduced in 2024 included Anonymous Recruitment, the D&I Buddy Programme and our Diversity Day.

Our policy prioritises inclusion as a core focus. We believe that an inclusive culture is the foundation of a workplace where everyone feels welcome, valued and heard. It is the key to improving diversity as a whole. Our focus is specifically on fostering a sense of belonging and social safety, selected based on research and feedback from focus groups. While diversity is essential, we choose to highlight topics such as LGBTQ+, cultural background and gender in a less explicit manner. This does not mean that these issues are less important – on the contrary, they are fully integrated into our policies and are addressed indirectly. Our vision remains committed to embracing both diversity and inclusion.

Balanced male/female ratio
At the end of 2024 we had a well-balanced employee database with 54% female and 46% male staff (on an FTE basis); exactly the same ratio as in 2023. The gross salary of women as a percentage of the gross salary of men is 97%. Although the wage gap is relatively small, it will continue to be a focal point in our organisation in coming years as we continue to strive for full equality.

Talent to the Top goals achieved
The objective in the field of gender diversity as described in the Talent to the Top charter of having at least 30% male and 30% female was also met: the share of women in the policy team and second echelon of managers is 49% (2023: 49%). RAI Amsterdam does not have specific goals regarding the male/female ratio in  the Executive Board.

Employee contract terms
At the end of 2024, 84% of RAI Amsterdam employees had a permanent contract and 16% a temporary contract (2023: 78% and 22% respectively). 

Temporary staff
RAI Amsterdam faces major peaks in staff occupancy as an organiser and facilitator of events, which is why we often bring in temporary employees. In 2024 this involved 4,863 people (2023: 3,980). Adding up all their hours, these joint efforts amounted to 219 FTE (2023: 190). 

Personnel composition
Below are some cross-section figures related to RAI Amsterdam’s employees.

Interns
RAI Amsterdam offers work experience to many interns from a wide range of schools and institutions. We accommodated 74 interns in 2024 (2023: approx. 85), including one work experience spot for intermediate vocational (MBO 1) (2023: 3) and three in the framework of BBL & BOL practical training programmes (2023: 1).

As a large employer and learning workplace in Amsterdam, we have a positive social impact on the city and its residents. We contribute in various ways, including the weekly preparation of hundreds of meals for homeless individuals and the donation of leftover items from exhibitions to local charities, benefiting vulnerable and disadvantaged members of the community.

  Flat organisational structure

The organisational structure of RAI Amsterdam is flat and transparent: see section 4 Governance below for an overview of the departments.

  Employee fitness

Although absence due to illness was already low in 2023 at 3.1%, it was reduced further in 2024 to 2.9%. This can be considered very limited, especially compared to other companies. We’ve seen a gradual decline in absence due to illness over the past five years. Our employees, managers and absence due to illness professionals can be extremely proud of this superb achievement. 

  Remuneration policy in line with market average

Directors, managers and employees are paid salaries in line with the market average. The pay ratio that reflects the total remuneration of the best-earning director compared to the average employee is 6.4 (end 2023: 7.0).

On 19 December, RAI Amsterdam organised an inspiring and interactive kick-off to introduce the new strategy. Employees were immersed in the story and the key focus areas for the coming years at various locations. The kick-off was not a standard presentation but a creative and interactive experience. Employees listened to podcasts explaining different departmental strategies, heard from a hologram about how organisers of the future envision events, and watched a three-part video discussing the area development plans.

  Works council

Frequent and constructive consultations took place with the works council during 2024 in a total of ten meetings. Supervisory Board members were also present on two occasions. The topics discussed during these meetings included the legal restructuring involving company splits, the area development/Masterplan, RAI’s strategy, the safety process and objectives of the Safety Board, developments related to CSRD, circular stand construction at RAI, and the ‘continuous development’ programme (a process improvement initiative within RAI).

The agreement between the works council and management concerning the company split and the Masterplan has been extended until November 2025.

Throughout the year, the works council requested attention for the development of an optimal event agenda at RAI, leading to several discussions with management. The works council was consulted by management regarding changes within the Real Estate, BDM and Planning & Revenue departments. It also approved several adjustments to the Personnel Guide. After extensive discussions, an agreement was reached on a generation pact in the context of sustainable employability.

In addition to the consultation meetings, discussions took place within various committees, including the HR committee, occupational health & safety committee and employment conditions committee. Informal consultations were also held between works council representatives and various managers.

The works council consists of 11 members. A vacancy arose in autumn 2024 due to the departure of a works council member.

We expect 2025 to be another strong year for exhibitions. The increase in international trade shows and conferences and the ongoing interest in choosing Amsterdam as an event location make us very confident. While geopolitical tensions around the world unfortunately persist and are increasing in some areas, our outlook remains decidedly positive as long as these developments do not have a significant impact on our activities.

RAI Amsterdam’s event calendar is well filled for the coming years. Contract extensions have been signed with major international organisers, some of whom have committed to hosting their events at the RAI through to 2030. These developments reinforce our confidence in the strategic direction we have chosen and the refined strategy will bring even greater focus to this.

Our confidence is also reflected in the high staffing levels and low absenteeism, which we aim to maintain. Every day, we see the dedication and enthusiasm of employees who give their all to make each event a success.

We expect the organisational size to remain roughly the same in 2025, excluding potential acquisitions of exhibition titles or teams. A greater emphasis will be placed on growth and acquisition, with a focus on the performance of our exhibition portfolio. In this regard we aim to become more commercially driven and agile. Another key development is our intention to give greater attention to process-driven operations, with data and AI forming an important foundation. We will also focus on safeguarding specialist knowledge throughout RAI Amsterdam and improving cross-team learning.

The year 2025 will also be a crucial one for the area development of the RAI site. Together with our stakeholders – and in line with our agreement with the municipality and input from the participation process – we will further define the programme by determining the functions, volumes and locations. The building blocks for a state-of-the-art convention centre and a vibrant, dynamic city district are becoming clearer, and the next phase will focus on their integration.

In conclusion
As the Executive Board, we thank all stakeholders for their involvement. In particular, we thank our employees for their tremendous dedication and tireless efforts. For an organisation that has existed for more than 140 years to achieve its best result ever while actively building its future is only possible when you have a truly exceptional team. We saw and felt this throughout the past year and it fills us with pride and confidence in the future.

Amsterdam, 28 March 2025

Executive Board of RAI Holding BV
P. (Paul) Riemens, CEO
M. (Maurits) van der Sluis, COO