Record turnover RAI Amsterdam in 2024 thanks to growth in number of events
RAI Amsterdam achieved a record turnover in 2024. The turnover amounted to 185.7 million euros last year. The good financial results are partly due to the growth in the number of events in the RAI.
The turnover of RAI Amsterdam increased by almost a quarter compared to the previous year. The operating profit (EBITDA) amounts to 37.6 million euros. After deduction of taxes, the conference centre records a profit of 17.1 million euros in the books. “It was an even better year than we had expected,” RAI CEO Paul Riemens looks back. “2024 was even the best year in our history. The agenda was very well filled and even during the year, with a short run-up, we were able to organise several major events.”
Extra attention to sustainability and diversity
A total of 338 events took place in RAI Amsterdam in 2024. Almost one and a half million visitors attended. They gave the RAI a report grade of 8, slightly higher than last year. In addition, the RAI organised seven of its own events abroad, including the first edition of Aquatech China. Modular stand construction is being used at more and more conferences and trade fairs in the RAI. The RAI supplied the modular stand packages for 6,300 exhibitors, an increase of more than 10 percent compared to last year. The stand construction solutions result in an average of 50 percent savings on freight, 45 percent less CO2 emissions and almost 100 percent circularity.
The RAI also paid extra attention to diversity and inclusion last year. Among other things, it introduced anonymous applications, organised a Diversity Day for employees and the internship allowance for both MBO and HBO students was equalised. Riemens is satisfied with the results of the policy. “Our employees are happy to work at the RAI and the absenteeism rate is exceptionally low at 2.9 percent, certainly in relation to developments at other companies. Over the past five years, absenteeism has shown a continuous downward trend. In contrast to many other companies in Amsterdam, we also have virtually no trouble filling vacancies.”
Area development
For this year, RAI’s expectations are once again positive. “The RAI event calendar is well-filled for the coming years,” says Riemens “We have extended the contracts with major international organisers, who even want to hold their event at the RAI until 2030. In the coming years, there will be a lot of attention for the growth of our portfolio of trade fair titles. We also want to accelerate and expand the international roll-out of existing and successful titles.”
In 2025, RAI Amsterdam will continue working on the concept planning of the area development of the RAI site. Riemens: “We see opportunities to make a qualitatively higher contribution to the ambitions of both the city of Amsterdam and RAI with our RAI-area. We are therefore exploring the transformation to a more mixed area. Keywords are connecting, densifying and making sustainable. We are focusing on an urban mix of functions, increasing the quality of stay - also for non-RAI visitors - and the passability of the area for cyclists and pedestrians. The transformation therefore also offers opportunities to help realise the development of the city and to make the area mean more to the neighbourhood and the Amsterdammer in addition to the RAI-functions."
Read our full anual rapport here.