New investments in innovative RAI-complex
“RAI Amsterdam is an international home for inspiring events and innovation. We take good care of this home and make it future-proof in a smart and sustainable way. After all, those 300,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space form the backbone of our organisation.”
Fred Betist, Director of Real Estate, shares his insights into the balance between maintenance and development, the close cooperation with partners, and the latest projects focused on sustainable, smart and flexible spaces.
Since February 2024, Fred Betist and his team have been responsible for all RAI Amsterdam buildings. The total built-up area of 116,600 m² includes 12 exhibition halls, 3 conference centres, 2 auditoriums, a ballroom with 2,000 seats, 70 conference and meeting rooms, 9 restaurants and 2 office buildings.
Fred Betist: “Within RAI Amsterdam, the Real Estate business unit acts as the ‘owner’ of all fixed assets. We are responsible for both the maintenance and the development of the indoor and outdoor spaces. We aim to make them future-ready, sustainable and multifunctional. That’s why we invest in new technologies like smart sensors and undertake large-scale projects focused on energy efficiency, reducing CO₂ emissions, and improving user comfort and flexibility. Our guiding principle in all this is to ensure the best possible experience for organisers and visitors."
Maintenance: A Crucial Part of the Experience
The Real Estate team ensures that all spaces are in top condition, all systems function properly, and the buildings meet the latest safety standards. “In a well-maintained space, nothing distracts from the content of the event. She space should actually enhances the overall experience. A pleasant entrance, proper lighting, comfortable climate control, and modern toilets all contribute to this. Safety might be the least visible, but it’s the most important. Over the past year, we’ve invested heavily in fire safety measures. By tackling this efficiently and sustainably all at once, we’re set for years to come”.
Project Planning Within a Packed Events Calendar
Events at RAI Amsterdam run all year round. Major maintenance and modernisation projects are therefore mainly scheduled during July and August, when the event calendar is less full. “This summer we’re carrying out seven major projects,” Fred explains, “including extensive painting, renovation of toilets and cloakrooms, replacement of the roof on Hall 5 and the floor in Hall 1. This demands tight planning, because by September, large events start again, and everything has to be ready.”
The planning is based on thorough data analysis. “We plan maintenance based on current conditions, priorities, and a reasonable budget allocation. The outcome is a multi-year maintenance plan (MYMP) covering the next five to ten years. This ensures everything gets the attention it needs in time.”
Smart Grids in the Buildings
"RAI Amsterdam is renowned for connecting people, ideas, and industries. We serve as a catalyst for knowledge exchange, technological development, and economic growth. This is what we are known for. What is less well-known is that we also invest heavily in innovation ourselves."
“An example is the development of smart management systems for all buildings: the smart grid. We have a control room where we manage the climate in the halls, among other things. This technology is becoming increasingly intelligent. With AI, we can take major steps in the coming years, such as automatically and continuously adjusting the temperature to ideal conditions and preventing system failures. This enhances visitor comfort and gives us many opportunities to improve sustainability. In 2024, we installed a number of smart measurement and control units that could save us up to one million euros in energy costs in 2025, and that’s just the beginning.”
Working with Partners
RAI does not tackle the Real Estate challenge alone. “I always seek knowledgeable colleagues and partners with whom we can realise innovative projects,” Fred says. “I’m energised by what we do here, because it’s such a dynamic mix of planning well, choosing the right smart technologies, maintaining a clear overview, and acting quickly, because the events won’t wait! I like speaking directly with manufacturers about new technologies—they can explain exactly what’s possible. I also ask partners to give knowledge sessions: tell us everything about roofing or painting techniques. We have a lot of expertise in-house, and we’re keen to expand it. That raises the quality of our work.
Visible Results, Every Day
This summer will bring many maintenance activities and investments in smart systems. “If we do everything right, the average visitor won’t even notice,” Fred says. “But what they will experience is that everything feels right: they feel comfortable and welcome, the spaces look perfect inside and out, the climate is pleasant, and all systems run smoothly. The building is a facilitator; it supports what happens inside. That’s our task: visitors come for content and connection, and we ensure the environment is perfect for that. We work hard on this every day, together with our colleagues and expert partners. I truly believe this is the best job in the world.”