Events
1.8 MILLION VISITORS
RAI Amsterdam realised 405 events during 2018 (443 in 2017), which together attracted over 1.8 million visitors (1.6 million in 2017).
FROM INTERNATIONAL TRADE EXIHIBITIONS TO ENTERTAINING STAGE SHOWS
A broad range of inspiring events took place for professionals and consumers alike.
SIX EVENTS ABROAD
The RAI also exports its own successful events to other continents. Six such events took place in 2018 (nine in 2017).
STIMULATING SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
When facilitating exhibitions, the RAI stimulates sustainable development, operating with a clear focus on our ecological and social environment. When organising events, we place an emphasis on sustainable content in order to stimulate eco-friendly innovation and contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Several categories of events can be distinguished based on the location where they took place and the role that RAI Amsterdam played:
- There were 388 events (421 in 2017) organised by third parties in the convention centre in Amsterdam – they jointly accounted for 1,294,000 visitors (1,124,000 in 2017) – for which RAI Amsterdam played a facilitating role.
- Eleven events (13 in 2017) were organised by the RAI itself in our convention centre in Amsterdam for which the RAI had an organising and facilitating role. These events welcomed around 421,000 visitors (375,000 in 2017).
- The remaining six events (nine in 2017) were organised by the RAI abroad and attracted around 109,000 visitors (126,000 in 2017); here, RAI Amsterdam only had an organising role.
facilitating and/or organising
Events
2018 | In Amsterdam | Elsewhere | Total | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade exhibitions | 40 | 6 | 46 | ||
Consumer exhibitions | 34 | 34 | |||
Conferences | 45 | 45 | |||
Stage shows | 18 | 18 | |||
Other | 262 | 262 | |||
399 | 6 | 405 |
Visitors
x 1.000
In Amsterdam | Elsewhere | Total | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Trade exhibitions | 564 | 109 | 673 | ||
Consumer exhibitions | 796 | 796 | |||
Conferences | 231 | 231 | |||
Stage shows | 21 | 21 | |||
Other | 102 | 102 | |||
1,715 | 109 | 1,824 |

Events in Amsterdam
The table below show a selection of events divided by type. The relevant websites provide more information about each event.
Trade exhibitions in RAI Amsterdam
in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (selection)
Month | Title | sector / field of interest | website |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | Horecava 2018 | Hospitality & catering | https://www.horecava.nl/ |
Jan | Wine Professional 2018 | Wine | http://www.wine-professional.nl/ |
Jan | MODEFABRIEK 2018 | Fashion | https://www.modefabriek.nl/en/ |
Feb | ISE 2018 | Audiovisual systems | https://www.iseurope.org/ |
Mar | Intertraffic Amsterdam 2018 | Mobility & traffic technology | https://www.intertraffic.com/ |
Apr | Building Holland 2018 | Construction | https://www.buildingholland.nl/ |
Apr | In-cosmetics 2018 | Cosmetics | https://www.in-cosmetics.com/visit/ |
May | Interclean Amsterdam 2018 | Cleaning sector | https://www.intercleanshow.com/nl/ |
May | PLMA 2018 | Production, private label | https://www.plmainternational.com/ |
Jun | Money 20/20 Europe 2018 | Fintech | https://europe.money2020.com/money2020-europe-2019 |
Jun | PROVADA 2018 | Real estate | https://www.provada.nl/ |
Jun | GreenTech 2018 | Horticulture | https://www.greentech.nl/ |
Jun | World of Coffee 2018 | Coffee production and consumption | https://www.worldofcoffee.org |
Jul | MODEFABRIEK JULI 2018 | Fashion | https://www.modefabriek.nl/en/ |
Sept | IBC 2018 | Media, entertainment & technology | https://www.ibc.org/ |
Sept | Euro Attractons Show 2018 | Entertainment parks | http://www.iaapa.org/expos/euro-attractions-show/home |
Oct | Offshore Energy 2018 | Energy | https://www.offshore-energy.biz/ |
Nov | METSTRADE 2018 | Maritime equipment | https://www.metstrade.com/ |
Nov | Amsterdam Drone Week 2018 | Drones/aviation | https://www.amsterdamdroneweek.com/ |
Horecava 2018
The 62nd edition of Horecava more than lived up to its theme ‘Taste the Future’. No fewer than three-quarters of the visitors indicated that they found this edition more innovative than the last. The exhibition was full of new initiatives, including future trends in the Innovation & TrendLAB, multiple pop-up restaurants, new competitions and the extra ‘Fast Casual on the Move’ hall. The latter responded to changing consumer demands for convenience concepts and was visited by two-thirds of visitors. Three-quarters of the visitors indicated that they had come to the exhibition for new products, services and technologies. Horecava is now so large that a multi-day visit is recommended and twice as many visitors did so in 2018 as in previous events.
The following activities took place during Horecava 2018:
- Partnership with the Vegetarian Restaurant Week held annually in March. RAI Amsterdam called on visitors, chefs and hospitality entrepreneurs to participate and generate extra attention for vegetarian recipes;
- Partnership with Stichting Verantwoorde Voeding Basisonderwijs (foundation for healthy food in elementary schools): signatures were collected at the exhibition for a petition calling on the government to pay more attention to this subject. A press conference featuring a parliamentarian and a university professor was also held at the exhibition;
- Innovation & TrendLAB: one of the themes was ‘circularity’. A number of speakers at the seminar (including the writer and former politician Jan Terlouw) called for sustainable solutions. The lab itself hosted several circular companies and applications, including cradle-to-cradle work clothing, equipment for longer storage of prepared food, waste reduction (La Place took part here), worm hotels (biological decomposting solutions) and city greening (urban gardens for hospitality businesses);
- Advisory lab: a range of consultants provided businesses with ideas on sustainable solutions (energy, water, food waste, etc.);
- Innovation Award: the winner in the sustainable category was a new cleaning agent using natural minerals and no chemicals;
- Several sustainable pavilions could be found at the exhibition, including:
- Veggie & fruit market: encouraging the use of vegetables;
- From source to plate in NL: top chefs demonstrated the preparation of culinary dishes with local seasonal products from the region.
Intertraffic 2018
Intertraffic Amsterdam 2018, the world's leading trade event for infrastructure, traffic management, smart mobility, safety and parking, took place in March and attracted more than 32,000 visitors. A new component at the exhibition was ITSUP: start-ups play a significant role when it comes to innovation in the international smart mobility sector and this platform allowed them to present their ideas to a large group of companies and specialists from the sector. Forty-six start-ups were hosted on the stage in Amsterdam and an ITSUP was also held at Intertraffic China.
Interclean 2018
This exhibition took place in 13 halls and hosted more than 800 exhibitors, making it the most complete event in the field of professional cleaning. Professionals came to Amsterdam to find products that deploy the latest developments in technology and innovation. In addition, there were extensive, industry-specific seminars on multiple stages, sub-events, and demonstrations of products and specialised cleaning skills. The Interclean Amsterdam Innovation Award was also presented.
ITSUP, Intertraffic 2018
Anatomy of the waste bin
ZeroWaste Foundation developed a concept for Interclean in which companies are taken on an ‘expedition’ in their transition to a circular way of production. The keywords in this concept were awareness-raising, knowledge development and behavioural change. The ‘anatomy of the waste bin’ was an immediately successful concept from the start (see below). The expedition to zero waste focused on four interrelated topics: people, logistics, technology and raw materials. Processes and behaviour were examined, goals set and concrete measures formulated for each topic.
Anatomy of a rubbish bag
The zero-waste expedition started with an interactive workshop where a waste bin or container with a normal, representative amount of safe industrial waste was analysed. The options for sorting valuable raw materials from residual waste were discussed at length. ‘Anatomy of the waste bin’ is a stepping stone for a follow-up process within companies studying habitual behaviour, goals and approach towards a zero-waste situation and value creation.
ISE
The RAI had to prepare its maximum capacity for Integrated Systems Europe (ISE), the world's largest audio-visual equipment trade exhibition. An additional 9,000 m² of exhibition space in the form of temporary pavilions were added to the area in front of the building and a further 2,650 m² to the conference square. Moreover, the conference had 15 halls at its disposal.
In July 2018 ISE announced that it would remain in RAI Amsterdam in 2019 and 2020 and move to another European city in 2021 to accommodate its explosive growth. The organisers made the following statement: “The RAI and Amsterdam have offered us a fantastic stage and been wonderful partners who have made a real contribution to the success of the exhibition. Unfortunately, the increasing demands to join as exhibitors and the ongoing increase in visitor numbers, combined with the limitations in available floor space, made us realise that, despite all our efforts, the event could not continue to grow while remaining in the RAI.” While regretting ISE’s decision, the RAI understands its reasoning and is pleased that ISE can continue to grow. We built a very successful event together over the past 15 years and will ensure that the remaining editions in RAI Amsterdam in 2019 and 2020 are events to remember.
Successful introduction: Amsterdam Drone Week
Professionals from 28 European countries involved in drone-related technology, applications and regulations came together during Amsterdam Drone Week in November. This new event was developed by RAI Amsterdam in collaboration with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), with the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management as a partner. It responded to a need for clear regulations requested by sectors such as defence, police, healthcare, logistics and transport as a prerequisite for using new drone applications. In fact, the first European regulations for unmanned aircraft are expected to arrive in 2019. The drone industry is developing very quickly and Amsterdam Drone Week facilitated discussions, innovations and connections among the relevant stakeholders.
Amsterdam Drone Week
Consumer events in RAI Amsterdam
in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (selection)
Month | Title | sector / field of interest | website |
---|---|---|---|
Feb | Huishoudbeurs 2018 | Home & living | https://www.huishoudbeurs.nl/ |
Feb | Nine Months Fair 2018 | Pregancy & children | https://www.negenmaandenbeurs.nl/ |
Mar | HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show 2018 | Watersports | https://www.hiswarai.nl/ |
Apr | International Amsterdam Motor Show 2018 | Cars | https://www.amsterdammotorshow.com/ |
Apr | KunstRAI 2018 | Art | http://www.kunstrai.nl/ |
Apr | Kingsland Festival 2018 | Festival | https://kingslandfestival.nl/ |
Sept | Comic Con Europe 2018 | Comics-related entertainment | http://www.comiccon-europe.com/nl/amsterdam/ |
Oct | In de Wolken Festival 2018 | Parents & children | https://www.indewolkenfestival.nl/2018/ |
Oct | vt wonen&design beurs 2018 | Living, interior & design | https://www.vtwonen.nl/wonen-design-beurs/ |
Oct | Martin Garrix Concert | Concert | https://martingarrix.com/ |
Nov | Pan Amsterdam 2018 | Art | http://www.pan.nl/ |
Dec | Masters of LXRY 2018 | Luxury products | https://lxry.nl/ |
Dec | Hond 2018 | Dogs/pets | https://hond-event.nl/ |
Dec | Valhalla 2018 | Festival | https://www.valhallafestival.nl/ |
Dec | Amsterdam Winterparadijs | Christmas event | https://www.hetamsterdamsewinterparadijs.nl/ |
More sustainable new products at the Huishoudbeurs and Negenmaandenbeurs
The Huishoudbeurs and the associated Negenmaandenbeurs, which took place in RAI Amsterdam in February, offered lots of interesting news for consumers in terms of sustainability. There was plenty to see and do, from bamboo diapers to natural deodorants, from a vegetables plaza to fashion with a story. Waste was taboo: leftover products were collected and donated via the Zending over Grenzen charity as the many visitors to both exhibitions jointly made a contribution to a cleaner environment.
The exhibition organisers have been working together with the Stibat foundation since 2012 to encourage visitors to bring in their used batteries during the exhibition. A total of 650,000 batteries have been recycled in this way over the last four editions of Huishoudbeurs.
A Huishoudbeurs app available for download from Google Play and the Apple Store provided all the information required for a fun day at the show, such as the programme and a map. In addition, visitors could activate a virtual scratch card every week until the start of the exhibition to have a chance to win gifts. Users who switched on push notifications were automatically reminded of this every week.
Parents want the very best for their child – and it is natural to wish one’s children to grow up in a clean and healthy world. This is why the Negenmaandenbeurs also featured many sustainable products, brought together at the Puur Baby Plaza.
More visitors and high willingness to buy at HISWA 2018
The water sports season started with the new HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show in March 2018. Around 37,500 visitors, seven per cent more than for the previous edition, came to find information on the latest news, try things out and make purchases. A poll among exhibitors showed that lots of sales were made. The Funsports Xperience, which was twice as large this year as last year, was also a hit. Eighty per cent of visitors were enthusiastic about the new course plotted by HISWA.
Masters of LXRY
For the first time in the history of the RAI, a Michelin-star restaurant was opened on the exhibition floor: M21. Ten elite chefs – together accounting for 21 Michelin stars! – cooked for visitors to the Masters of LXRY over four evenings.
Huishoudbeurs 2018
Conferences
in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (selection)
Month | Title | sector / field of interest | website |
---|---|---|---|
Jun | Annual European Congress of Rheumatology - EULAR 2018 | Reumatology /health care | https://www.congress.eular.org/ |
Jun | EUROPERIO 9 | Periodontology/health care | https://www.efp.org/europerio/ |
Jul | 22nd International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2018) | AIDS/health care | https://www.aids2018.org/ |
Aug | World Dog Show 2018 | Dogs/pets | https://wds2018.com/nl/ |
Sept | ECI | Immunology/health care | https://www.eci2018.org/home/ |
AIDS 2018
AIDS 2018, the 22nd edition of the world’s largest conference in the field of health, took place in the RAI in July. Scientists, policy makers, activists and politicians all came to Amsterdam to talk about ways to curb the global AIDS epidemic.
Eighteen thousand visitors to the conference, including doctors, researchers, activists and HIV patients from 180 countries were received in the RAI. Tens of thousands of visitors came for the Global Village, 35,000 nights in hotel rooms were booked and 500 sessions, workshops and activities were held accompanied by 800 volunteers, prominent speakers and international ambassadors. A number of side events took place in Amsterdam, there was a major publicity campaign in the city, and around 800 journalists from the Netherlands and abroad were present at Schiphol. Luminaries such as Prince Harry, Charlize Theron, Princess Mabel, Bill Clinton and Elton John all participated in AIDS 2018.
AIDS Conference 2018
Stage shows
events in the RAI Theatre in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre (selection)
Month | Title |
---|---|
Apr | Chippendales! Best.Night.Ever Tour |
Jun | Dan & Phil |
Jul | Lucia Marthas Institute for Performing Arts final performances 2018 |
Jul | Markiplier |
Sept | Trailer Park Boys |
Oct | Michael Jackson - THRILLER LIVE |
Oct | Jacksepticeye |
Dec | Concert Ebi |
After 15 years, the Musical Awards Gala is back in the RAI Theatre
It had been agreed in 2018 that the 18th edition of the Musical Awards Gala would take place in the RAI Theatre on Wednesday 23 January 2019. The prestigious awards for the greatest musical stars and best productions in the Netherlands were handed out during this impressive live show.
Other events in Amsterdam
In addition to the abovementioned categories, a range of other events took place in the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre.
Jumping Amsterdam
The 59th edition of Jumping Amsterdam was held in January 2018. The event was a huge success, with several completely sold-out components. To accommodate this interest, an extra hall was used for the event in 2019. The area accommodating the general public and stands was expanded by 4,000 m², while the promo village grew by 700 m². This ensured a more varied selection of stands for our visitors, ranging from equestrian sports to jewellery and from the latest horse transportation vehicles to bridal fashion. The increase in the capacity of the spectator gallery made it possible for us to host more visitors. The programme was also adjusted, among other things due to the return of the Show Jumping World Championships.
Amsterdam Sports Gala
The gala celebrating elite sports in Amsterdam took place in December. The Fannies were awarded to the best sportswoman, sportsman, talent, coach and sports team in Amsterdam, respectively, in the RAI’s Ballroom. The association with the widest range of sports on offer for the disabled and chronically ill also received the Amsterdam Plum.
DNA Gala
The second DNA Gala was held in honour of the 105th anniversary of the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek hospital. This grand event for 1,000 guests aimed to raise funds for research into immunotherapy. During the evening, guests were treated to a dinner interspersed with performances by various famous artists. There was also an exclusive auction, as well as a draw. The event was followed by an exclusive after-party. The gala ultimately raised a whopping €919,530 – one of the highest results ever seen for a benefit gala.
DNA Gala
InnovationLAB
Innovation is usually given as one of the top 3 most important reasons for visiting an exhibition. In response, in 2015 RAI Amsterdam created the InnovationLAB, a place where ideas, innovations and news take concrete shape on the exhibition floor and online. RAI Amsterdam’s InnovationLAB is a collaboration with external partners TNO, 3TU Federatie and Accenture Innovation Awards.
The rich and diverse platform provided by the InnovationLAB encourages exhibitors to make their innovations more visible at RAI Amsterdam shows. In addition, the InnovationLAB provides knowledge centres, research institutes and innovation partners with a platform to bring their new ideas to the market and enrich RAI Amsterdam’s exhibitions. The InnovationLAB is a platform where visitors see and experience innovations in their market online and in person. Moreover, it enables the exhibition medium to stand out and profile itself in this crucial field. The RAI gives sustainability a prominent place in the InnovationLAB so that sectors and markets are encouraged to work and innovate sustainably.
How do the RAI’s own events stimulate the sustainable growth and development of people, markets and the environment?
RAI Amsterdam strives to see all our own events linked to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By putting the social challenges linked to the relevant sector/community on the agenda of every exhibition, we stimulate the sustainable growth of people, markets and the environment.
Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formulated to help end poverty, inequality and climate change by 2030.
The RAI’s business operations contribute especially to the six Sustainable Development Goals shown in the table in the Strategy paragraph. Moreover, the RAI’s own events make their own contributions to specific SDGs depending on the sector in which they are active.
Aquatech China
Water is already a problem in many places in the world, and things are getting worse. Sometimes there is too little of it, at other times too much, and sometimes water is contaminated and cannot be used. Aquatech Global Events are a series of trade exhibitions organised in Amsterdam, China and Mexico where the global water industry comes together to jointly address these problems. The exhibition programme offers a complete overview of the latest developments in the fields of drinking, waste and process water. Aquatech focuses on professionals working in all areas of the water industry and brings policymakers, specialists, scientists, the business community and other stakeholders together.
Aquatech China is a part of Aquatech Global Events. The Asian exhibition programme also offers a comprehensive overview of the latest developments in the field of water treatment, transport & storage, process control & automation and point of use. The latest exhibition in China attracted 80,000 visitors, with more than 1,200 exhibitors participating.
Events abroad
The RAI organises several of its hallmark trade exhibitions from Amsterdam in local versions abroad as well.
RAI events abroad
Exhibition title | Visitors | |
---|---|---|
Aquatech China | 80,000 | |
Aquatech Mexico | 5,844 | |
IBEX | 4,300 | |
Intertraffic China | 3,830 | |
Intertraffic Mexico | 3,302 | |
WaterEx Beijing | 12,000 | |
total | 109,276 |