Winner Total Talent Management Award 

RAI Amsterdam and Shifter have won the Total Talent Management Award 2026. The award recognises a strategy that combines data and personal attention to manage both permanent and flexible talent.

Recognition for an integrated talent approach
The award was presented on 16 April 2026 during the Total Talent Summit in Breda. The winning approach was developed in collaboration with Shifter, led by Gijs-Jan van Het Kaar. He received the award together with Jeroen Leuven, Coordinator Flex Management at RAI Amsterdam.

The jury highlighted the way permanent and flexible talent are brought together in one integrated strategy. The scale, the integration of planning and talent management, and the focus on individual employees were key factors.

From hiring to managing talent
At the core of the approach is ‘workforce orchestration’: actively managing the deployment, development and quality of all staff. For RAI Amsterdam, this is essential. Each year, we welcome around 1.5 million visitors across more than 100 international events, requiring a team that fits each event and audience.

Together with Shifter, we developed a way of working in which flexible staff are not just hired, but become part of the overall experience. By focusing on quality, we create greater continuity in staffing.

Data-driven quality improvement
A key element of the strategy is the systematic use of data. Evaluations are now completed after 96 per cent of all shifts, resulting in more than 25,000 assessments annually.

These insights support employee development, help build stronger teams and improve collaboration with partners and suppliers. They also enable us to recognise and retain talent more effectively.

Attention makes the difference
Alongside data, personal attention plays an important role. In the Hospitality Crew Centre, staff are welcomed and prepared for their working day, creating a strong connection with the team.

This combination of data and attention delivers clear results. Employees stay engaged for longer and progress within the organisation. An increasing number of flexible workers move into permanent roles at RAI Amsterdam.

With this approach, RAI Amsterdam shows how talent management directly contributes to event quality and visitor experience.