#03 Statementbythe SupervisoryBoard

PANAmsterdam

Artandculture,14-21November2021

PANAmsterdamistheexhibitionforart,antiquesanddesign.Everyyearover 45,000artafficionadosareinspiredandattractedbythemanythousandsof artworksfeaturedduringtheevent;fromancientclassics,antiquesandOld Masterstodesignerfurniture,photographyandcontemporaryart.The34th editionofthelargestartexhibitionintheNetherlandswasagaintheplaceto compareart,sourceinformationandmakeexcitingdiscoveries.

Foreword

Dear reader,

‘A ourishing RAI in a ourishing environment’ is RAI Amsterdam’s motto, although 2021 was unfortunately once again signicantly aected by COVID and the related restrictions on organising exhibitions and conferences Our location was closed for a long period and like many others we found ourselves in a challenging position.

There was some respite after the summer when the RAI was able to organise and facilitate several major exhibitions, and in the process see the resilience of the event sector be conrmed A large number of exhibitors and visitors were welcomed to the RAI during this autumn period until the Omicron variant forced us to close our doors again in mid-November We would like to emphasise here our deep admiration for the way in which the employees, the Executive Board and relations of the RAI dealt with this extremely dicult period for the event sector. All stakeholders fought hard to preserve what they had built up with the RAI over the years and we are very grateful

In November 2021, and for the rst time since my appointment as Supervisory Board member in October 2021, my fellow new Supervisory Board members – Michiel Boere and René Takens – and I were able to see at rst hand the operational processes involved in a large exhibition, namely METSTRADE. This had not been possible before due to COVID and it was great to see how hard all the people of the RAI worked to make this renowned show a success. Who would have thought that it would take a year after my appointment before I was able to attend an international event?

Over the past year the Board has focused not just on crisis management and supporting the Executive Board in guiding the company through the pandemic. We will also remember 2021 for the time spent developing future scenarios as part of a focus on the long term The goal has always been to realise ‘a ourishing RAI in a ourishing environment’ and that requires inspiring urban surroundings; an attractive area that serves as a meeting place for local residents and is of an added value to exhibition and event visitors The plans for the spatial development started as a blueprint for the RAI but have since become part of the vision of the City of Amsterdam itself.

It is looking increasingly likely that we can have denitively left the worst of the pandemic behind us. Although the dramatic developments in Ukraine have confronted Europe with a new crisis, the RAI retains a positive outlook for 2022 along with the recovery of the international exhibition and conference market After two tough COVID years, we hope the RAI can once again do what it does best: successfully organising exhibitions and conferences.

As members of the Supervisory Board we all understand that the past years have been a huge disappointment to all stakeholders in the event sector. It thankfully seems that the year ahead will see a recovery from the eects of the pandemic and we wish everyone the best of luck

We would like to thank the Executive Board for its relentless ambition to make the RAI the best exhibition and event venue in the world, in good times and bad Finally, thanks to the shareholders and other stakeholders for their understanding, involvement and support.

On behalf of my fellow Supervisory Board members,

Otto Ambagtsheer, chair