Foreword
Our question to Paul and Maurits as members of the RAI Executive Board was simple: which key words define the past year for you?
The year 2024 promised to be a good one and, at €20 million, the operating result was even better than expected.
It was also the highest we’ve achieved since our establishment. We managed to fill our agenda very well, even adding various sizeable events at short notice during the year. Our teams worked extremely hard to achieve this. We opened our doors to 338 events in Amsterdam and organised seven events abroad.
In October we signed an initial agreement with the Municipality of Amsterdam for the transformation of the area around the RAI.
We see opportunities to ensure that our premises provide an even greater contribution to the city of Amsterdam and the RAI. In this context, we are exploring the transformation to a more mixed area, with a focus on connections, densification and increased sustainability. The aim is for an urban mix of functions, increasing the liveability – for non-RAI visitors as well – and the accessibility of the area for cyclists and pedestrians. This transformation also offers opportunities to help further develop the city and ensure that the area means more to the neighbourhood and Amsterdam residents outside of its RAI functions.
RAI Next is the name of our new multi-year strategy for 2025 to 2028 and was developed and introduced during the reporting year.
Our goal is to be more offensive with regards to growth with new exhibition titles, an international roll-out of existing titles and a further acceleration of our successful titles. We are also increasing our focus on innovation and digitisation, including a more data-driven approach. The area development of the RAI premises on Europaplein is of course still part of the strategy.
We were delighted to be named Best International Venue at the Exhibition News Awards in April.
The jury commended us for our sustainable achievements, innovations and high satisfaction levels among organisers and clients. This prestigious award serves as recognition of how we are minimising our ecological footprint and increasing the positive impact of our events. It was the fifth time that RAI Amsterdam has taken home this prize and that’s an enormous tribute to the hard work of our staff.
Employee satisfaction scores are good at 7.9 with absence due to illness being exceptionally low at 2.9%. Moreover, unlike other businesses in Amsterdam, we have very few difficulties filling vacancies.
Although satisfied with our HR achievements, there is still more to be achieved. To ensure everyone feels welcome we increased our focus on diversity and inclusion in 2024. Dialogue sessions and anti-bias training were used to improve the work environment, HR processes were adapted and diversity networking groups established. In addition, working conditions were made more inclusive. All in all, we further anchored diversity in our organisation.
In November 2024, RAI Amsterdam acquired the Superyacht Forum.
The Superyacht Forum is a renowned conference for decision-makers in the superyacht industry which has been taking place alongside METSTRADE in the RAI since 1995. The event attracts hundreds of the most important speakers and representatives from the superyacht sector every year and the acquisition was a logical step in view of the expansion of METSTRADE and the synergy between the two events.
The exhibition floor of AquaTech Mexico grew by 25% in 2024. AquaTech also took place in China.
With 10,000 m² of innovations on display, many speakers and a strong international character, this edition was also a great success.
RAI Design & Build’s modular stand construction offer was a success, with some 6,300 exhibitors opting for this package.
On average, our stand construction solutions result in 50% savings on cargo, 45% fewer CO₂ emissions and almost 100% circularity. We also offer excellent support to exhibitors, allowing them to devote more time to their commercial preparations.
In February, the RAI became the first exhibition and conference centre in Europe to use a private 5G network.
This type of network – currently the safest, fastest and most reliable available – was first deployed during Cisco Live!
Key figures
Profile
RAI Amsterdam is an international exhibition and conference organisation. At our convention centre in Amsterdam, known simply as ‘the RAI’, we facilitate all kinds of events in every imaginable size. In addition, RAI Amsterdam owns various trade and public events that we organise ourselves – both at the RAI and in cities outside Europe.
RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre
Our exhibition and conference complex on Europaplein in Amsterdam hosts numerous events each year. From large-scale exhibitions and conferences with 50,000 attendees to small meetings of 10 people, we guarantee a warm welcome and seamless realisation of every event. All necessary multifunctional facilities are available and we work continuously to enhance sustainability and improve and expand our products and services. We measure our progress and success each year through customer feedback, awards and certifications.
RAI Amsterdam is located in the heart of the city and easily accessible. Our exhibition and conference complex is directly connected to the A10 ring road, next to the Amsterdam RAI train & metro station and has the Europaplein metro station right on our doorstep. Visitors can reach both Schiphol Airport and the city centre in 10 minutes, allowing them to easily combine their business trip with an urban stay in the unique setting of Amsterdam.
RAI events in the Netherlands and abroad
We have a portfolio of our own international events, which we organise both in Amsterdam and at conference venues outside of Europe. We are active in various key sectors, including professional cleaning, remanufacturing, traffic technology, maritime, water technology and horticulture. In addition, we have our own national trade exhibitions such as Horecava (food service and hospitality) and consumer events like the Huishoudbeurs (lifestyle) and Nine Month fair (for soon-to-be and new parents). All in all, RAI has a well-rounded portfolio of events which generates revenue, protects our market share, and facilitates knowledge sharing, network expansion and business in the relevant sectors.
RAI events
Sustainable developments
Facilitating progress
The (international) meetings we organise and the networks they create are crucial for the exchange of knowledge, expertise and capital. Across various sectors, we collaborate with organisers, exhibitors, visitors, suppliers and other stakeholders to contribute to the (sustainable) development of people, markets and society, while also supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Responsible business
We are constantly aware of our social environment and looking for ways to increase our contribution to society. We frequently collaborate with local suppliers and social partners. Our ambition is to minimise and, where possible, prevent any negative impact from goods and visitor flows, traffic congestion and noise. By prioritising responsible business practices, we also help organisers ensure their events are conducted sustainably and responsibly. We are pleased to see a growing demand from our partners for such initiatives.
Value for the region
Hotels, restaurants, museums, transport operators and suppliers in the region benefit from the exhibitors and visitors who come to the city for exhibitions, conferences and performances at RAI Amsterdam. Business visitors who stay for a short, multi-day trip provide significant economic benefits to the city and region – on average, far more than leisure tourists.
RAI sustainability standards
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an integral part of our strategy and we are proud that many of our activities make a positive contribution to society. The Executive Board report specifically explains how we create value. We do of course recognise that our operations consume natural resources, take up space, generate noise and have other societal impacts. We work at all levels to minimise these effects as much as possible – both in the long term through area development and the renewal of our convention centre, and in the short term by focusing on sustainable operations for each event. More details on these developments can again be found in the Executive Board report.
Awards and certifications
Our awards and certifications reflect the areas in which we excel as an exhibition and conference centre. We continuously develop ourselves to maintain and strengthen our leading position.
EN Awards: RAI Amsterdam Best International Venue 2024
RAI Amsterdam received the best international venue award at the Exhibition News Awards (EN Awards) – often referred to as the ‘Oscars’ of the exhibition sector. During the ceremony in London, the jury praised RAI Amsterdam for its outstanding sustainability achievements, smart innovations, and high levels of organiser and customer satisfaction. This was the seventeenth edition of the awards, and the fifth time that we have been honoured with this title.
Nominations for the Skift Meeting Awards and AEO Excellence Awards
In 2024, RAI Amsterdam was nominated for:
- The Skift Meeting Awards in the category Best Convention Centre (Outside the US). This award recognises the most respected and innovative suppliers in the business events industry.
- The AEO Excellence Awards in the category Venue of the Year, more than 20,000 sqm. The nominees represent the very best the events industry has to offer.
Certification overview
RAI Amsterdam holds the following certifications:
- YOIN Excellent Meeting Places (formerly 5-hammers; quality label for conference and event venues)
- AIPC Gold (AIPC Quality Standards programme)
- EarthCheck 4.0 Platinum (first exhibition and conference venue in Europe to receive this certification)
- Integrale Toegankelijkheid Standaard (internationally recognised standard for accessible building in the Netherlands)
- ISO-9001 (quality management)
- ISO-14001 (environmental management)
- BREEAM-Excellent New Construction and Renovation (design certificate for the Amtrium, RAI Amsterdam’s multifunctional conference, meeting and office concept)
- Accredited training company (Samenwerkingsorganisatie Beroepsonderwijs – Bedrijfsleven)
Strategy and value creation
RAI Amsterdam aims to be a valued and profitable organisation, leveraging on its venue and events to contribute to the well-being and development of our stakeholders, including visitors, exhibitors, organisers, the city and its residents, and employees. Our commercial focus is primarily on multi-day international business-to-business events that make the most of Amsterdam’s appeal and accessibility. From a social and societal perspective, we seek to make a meaningful contribution to the city and region. We welcome everyone and set ourselves apart with modern, innovative and sustainable facilities and a hospitable organisation.Our strategy was updated in 2024 under the name RAI Next. Three focus areas have been identified that we aim to elevate to the next level.
The following image shows how we create value for our stakeholders, as well as the main Sustainable Development Goals to which we contribute.
Multiple value creation
