. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . For organisers and exhibitors

Initially our event calendar for 2020 was full, and the year started as normal with the Horecava show. This was followed by a variety of events, such as the Musical Award Gala, Jumping Amsterdam, Modefabriek, Integrated Systems Europe, Huishoudbeurs & the Nine Month Fair, Don't let Daddy know! and the 65th – and last – edition of the HISWA Amsterdam Boat Show.

We provided our comprehensive service package to organisers and exhibitors until 13 March 2020. A new aspect was the provision of advice and support to organisers and exhibitors in improving the welfare and safety of all those present in the framework of COVID-19. After closing our doors, we shifted our focus to postponing events and intensive client contact. Major developments in the Netherlands with regard to event-related measures were actively communicated to organisers and exhibitors to ensure any consequences for events were clear in good time.

RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre facilities

The following table shows the facilities we offer.

Thanks to our umbrella licence and associated covenant with the Amsterdam South district council, the RAI is authorised to issue various event-related licences. This was extended in 2020 for a period of three years.

RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre facilities

Properties Facilities

Total surface area 116.600 m2 Conference centres 3 interlinked conference locations Halls Rooms

Foyers and lounges Entrances Restaurants and bars Parking garages Marina Train station Two metro stations

Hotel (nhow) 12 interconnected halls, expandable with two semi-permanent halls 2 auditoriums, one large ballroom with 2,000 seats. A total of 70 conference and meeting rooms. Accommodation for 10 to 10,000 people per room. Multifunctional space for exhibitions, parties and celebrations 9 separate entrances: own entrance for each event 9 restaurants, bars and lounges. From buffet to à la carte Capacity for 4,000 spaces on the premises Own marina directly connected to the Amsterdam canals Called Amsterdam RAI, right next to the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre Amsterdam RAI Station connects to the metro line that forms a circle around the city. The new Europaplein metro station is situated just 50 m from the entrance to the RAI and connects the RAI to the city centre On-site congress hotel with 650 rooms and 200 parking spaces

authorised to issue eventrelated licenses

know-how and services that ensure events run smoothly

intensive client contact

RAI Amsterdam – Safe, Responsible and Hospitable The umbrella covenant is an integrated license based on the General Municipal By-law (APV) and other specific legislation that include regulations based on which we facilitate our core business, namely exhibitions and conferences. The associated covenant gives us the option to issue licenses independently and monitor compliance within the frameworks provided by the municipality.

The covenant makes us unique as we are the only (private) company in the Netherlands authorised to issue and enforce licenses independently in order to regulate activities related to our core business.

The extension of the umbrella covenant further strengthens the partnership between Amsterdam South district council and RAI Amsterdam, the results of which are assessed annually by both parties.

Organiser Services

RAI Amsterdam offers know-how and a wide range of services to ensure that organisers’ events run as smoothly as possible. From virtual representations of the exhibition floor to hotel services for the visitors, our specialists provide organisers with advice and support on every aspect. Expertise and networking are deployed to ensure that the opportunities provided by the Netherlands, the city of Amsterdam and RAI Amsterdam as a convention centre are used to the max on behalf of the success of the event. We also offer solutions in the field of IT, registration, logistics, audio-visual and media. Our staff work closely with clients to look at ways to achieve the highest possible return on investment. The experience our employees gain during the events we organise ourselves are often developed into a proposition for clients.

We had extensive contacts with organisers during 2020, supporting and assisting with the necessary COVID-related safety precautions and in postponing events due to the event prohibition in the Netherlands. These close contacts meant that only a minimal number of events were cancelled altogether with most being postponed to 2021 and beyond.

The ‘RAI Amsterdam – Safe, Responsible and Hospitable’ protocol presents our regulations and guidelines for anyone involved in the organisation of (trade) exhibitions, conferences, stage shows and meetings. It describes how events can take place in a safe and responsible way in the framework of COVID-19. The realisation of the protocol involved a wide range of activities, such as:

Reviewing maps and floor plans. Making aisles COVID-proof. Implementing hygiene measures. Establishing and realising a supervision plan. Setting up a People Counting system Making the (pre-)registration of visitors COVID-proof. Researching temperature tests and rapid testing options. Enhancing the ventilation systems. Making the standardised F&B range COVID-proof.

Reviewing payment methods for catering points and parking garages (etc.).

Our COVID-19 protocol is based on the protocol that was co-created with the event industry and confirmed by the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy. The Ministry issued a statement which underlines that the starting points in this document were a solid basis for business meetings.

The Stage is Yours!

Our new 'The Stage is Yours!' plug & play concept provides custom experiences in accordance with the regulations and guidelines described in the RAI Amsterdam – Safe, Responsible and Hospitable protocol. Fully COVID-proof, the concept can bring together up to 1,175 individuals for corporate events, conferences and live entertainment. It was developed with our partners Unlimited Productions, Mansveld Expotech and ACS in the framework of the current measures in the Netherlands.

Amsterdam Alderman of Economic Affairs Victor Everhardt visited The Stage is Yours! and was impressed by the innovative concept for bringing people together in a safe and responsible way. “Let us use the insights and smart concepts of the entrepreneurs in the city to adjust the roadmap in collaboration with the national government,” he commented. “It is essential that Amsterdam residents once again have the opportunity to get together, and businesses need future perspectives. While the national government determines the pace, we can try and find even smarter solutions locally.”

nominations and awards

exploring RAI Amsterdam with the RAI Virtual Tour

RAI Studios and online events Our efforts to be safe, responsible and hospitable in times of COVID-19 did not go unnoticed in the sector. In addition to being nominated as Best International Venue, Exhibition News also nominated us for Best Venue Event Safety Plan in 2020. In view of the COVID-19 pandemic, the award presentation in London was postponed until 2021.

In early 2020 we won the bronze M&IT Award for Best Overseas Conference Centre. The nominees and eventual winners of these awards were selected by event organisers from the UK and readers of Meetings & Incentive Travel Magazine.

Travel restrictions and COVID measures made it difficult to visit our venue in 2020, especially for organisers based abroad. The RAI Virtual Tour was launched at exactly the right time. Since June organisers have been able to take a virtual tour of our venue to see whether the location meets their event requirements.

All 178 spaces were digitised. In total there are hundreds of 360-degree images, photos, factsheets and summaries about dimensions and facilities to present the spaces in a variety of setups. This has resulted in a complete 360-degree overview and interactive 3D map of the entire venue.

Our customer journey surveys show a considerable demand for an online guide that easily shows people through the RAI. For this reason, we have also made the application available to exhibitors and visitors so they can prepare for their event participation or visit.

The prohibition on physical events in the Netherlands helped virtual events really take off in 2020. Throughout the year we gained a wealth of experience in the successful organisation and facilitation of various types of event. All RAI titles organised online events to maintain contact with their related communities and connect participants. Visitors came together to interact via a virtual platform and attend various events organised by companies and prominent speakers from the related sectors.

With our audio-visual partners we built two complete professional studios in the Amtrium, with the largest being ideal for talk show settings and other TV formats. It was from here that we recorded and aired GreenTech, Interclean and Amsterdam Drone Week 2020 across various time zones. In early 2021 Horecava joined the list and organisers are increasingly coming forward to use the facilities for hybrid or fully virtual events.

Greentech Live & Online

20-22 October 2020 - International trade exhibition of RAI Amsterdam Domain: Horticulture technology

While there was no opportunity to facilitate Greentech live in the Netherlands or Mexico during 2020, the global platform for the horticultural sector nonetheless managed to reach and serve its community throughout the year. A webinar in May was followed by a three-day virtual event in June with prominent figures from the industry. A total of 2480 interested people from 108 countries registered and gave some very positive feedback.

Another three-day virtual event was held in October called Greentech Live & Online. This was the first event to be aired from the newly built RAI Studios and involved an extensive programme of 70 exhibitors, 53 knowledge sessions and 121 speakers. No fewer than 6,300 horticultural professionals from 140 countries registered and the event facilitated over 3,400 new connections between visitors, exhibitors and speakers.

Greentech is maintaining its link to the community under the title Greentech Webinar Talks and expects to organise two live events in 2021. Greentech Americas is scheduled for 15-17 August 2021 in Querétaro Centro de Congresos, Mexico, and Greentech Amsterdam for 28-30 September in RAI Amsterdam.

broad range of services for exhibitors before, during and after exhibitions

all exhibitor services via one new webshop

selection of modular stands

RAI Amsterdam – Safe, Responsible and Hospitable

Integrated Safety Policy

Exhibitor Services

RAI Amsterdam Exhibitor Services supports exhibitors in their preparations to make their event participation a success. Exhibitors can order products and services for stands via a special webshop, including uniform stand constructions, host services, furniture, catering, flowers & plants, telecommunication & ICT facilities, parking tickets and stand cleaning. Contracts are in place with preferred suppliers for uniform stands, and the webshop offers a range of sustainable choices and alternatives.

The exhibitor webshop was developed further in 2020 and enriched with products and services to guarantee the safety and welfare of participants and visitors. In view of COVID, it was expanded with a 'stay safe' catering range in which certain products were provided with extra packaging options.

Standbuilding packages for exhibitors were further optimised in 2020 and we worked on developing a selection of modular stands. Our vision on standbuilding provides for an expansion of modular concepts to increase the possible reuse of materials and reduce the volume of waste.

In addition to our COVID protocol for the safe organisation of events, we also developed a specific protocol for exhibitors. This protocol is a supplement to the previously developed COVID protocol and describes how exhibitors can safely and responsibly participate in events. In addition to regulations, it also includes guidelines for stand build-up and breakdown, stand setup and cleaning

Other safety aspects are also taken fully into account. Cybercrime, fraud and terrorism have become increasingly complex in recent years. Companies cannot resolve these threats alone so a combined and integrated approach is required.

The Integrated Safety policy of RAI Amsterdam contributes to our ambition to organise and facilitate meaningful meetings. It is aimed at creating and ensuring a safe environment, and protecting our property and that of our staff, visitors and clients from (physical and digital) accidents, theft and damage in accordance with all the relevant legal and statutory provisions. In this framework we’ve made agreements with the police, emergency services and control room, the district council, companies in the Zuidas district, public transport bodies and advisors to the Mayor of Amsterdam.

Integrated Systems Europe

11 – 14 February 2020 - International trade exhibition Domain: Information technology

The maximum capacity of RAI Amsterdam was used for the 15th Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) show, the world’s largest trade event in the field of audio and video. With the renewed and expanded Hall 5, inaugurated during ISE, the event occupied nearly 52,000 square metres. The RAI welcomed more than 50,000 unique visitors who came to see what the 1,200-plus ISE exhibitors had to offer.

The impact of the pandemic gradually became clear in the run-up to ISE as exhibitors from Asia were hindered by flight restrictions and companies started changing travel policies. Together with the organisers and exhibitors, additional measures such as optimising hygiene regulations and social distancing were taken to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all stakeholders. ISE became the first event where shaking hands was replaced by a verbal greeting and fist bump.

Meanwhile, a virtual spectacle took place outside the convention centre after sundown, with animations projected on the top five floors of the Elicium building. The event concluded with a special programme whereby exhibitors donated items on a wish list to social organisations in the Amsterdam region.

Hall 5 taken into use

4,000 m² expansion in multifunctional exhibition space The Integrated Safety Policy is categorised as follows:

Occupational health & safety Building security Event security ICT/Cyber security

How we guarantee safety around the build-up and breakdown of events is described in the ‘Safe working conditions’ policy statement and the Safety at Work handbook. The latter addresses the company emergency plan, the use of modes of transportation, tools for personal protection, standbuilding, working at heights, the use of hazardous substances and the environment, enforcement, and a procedure for activities on the RAI premises to prevent exposure to asbestos. The handbook can be found here.

The safety regulations for the build-up and breakdown of events have been extended in 2020 with regulations to prevent contamination with and the spread of the COVID-19 virus. They involve issues such as pre-registration, presenting health statements, social distancing and frequently disinfecting hands.

The new Hall 5 was delivered on 27 January 2020 and can be used individually or in combination with the surrounding halls in the Europa complex. Hall 5 was first used during Integrated Systems Europe on 11 February 2020.

The new Hall 5 is extended by 30 metres, giving it approx. 4,000 m² of extra multifunctional exhibition space. The extension reduced the P9 parking, which is in line with our spatial vision to minimise cargo traffic on that side of the RAI. This traffic will mainly be led via the northside of the venue from the A10 ring road.

The new glass façade showcases a modern and open appearance to local residents. The main entrance for Hall 5 is the main entrance of the Amtrium, Entrance L. Entrance M, between the extension of Hall 5 and the Amtrium, will be renovated at a later time and given an entirely new look with a glass facade and concrete plinth beneath.

The project also included various sound-reduction measures as well as a green strip to create a clear demarcation with the street. Part of the facade of the previous hall has been reused. Any trees felled were used to build wooden benches for the outdoor premises of our convention centre, in the nearby Beatrixpark and for the Food Bank.

Huishoudbeurs and Nine Month Fair

22 February – 1 March 2020 - National consumer exhibition Domain: Consumer

The most popular consumer event in the Netherlands opened its doors for the 75th edition on 22 February 2020. The Huishoudbeurs, which has been taking place in the RAI since 1955, has expanded far beyond household appliances alone. The latest edition also featured mindfulness workshops, vegan food trucks and the Pasar Colours Festival, revolving around cultures from Asia and South America. The exhibition addressed the growing number of male visitors, now some 10 percent of the total, with a man cave and beer bar as well as various dedicated products from the exhibitors. The fact that differences between the genders are becoming increasingly small was clearly visible at the event.

New: Amsterdam Baby Week We also hosted another event during the Huishoudbeurs: the Amsterdam Baby Week. This met demand from the industry for a meeting place for baby professionals in addition to the Nine Month Fair for consumers. Bringing together the general public, companies and politicians, the week featured a variety of debates on issues such as the desire to have children, reduced birth figures and risk factors for a good start for the baby and family alike. The 35th Nine Month Fair was the star event of the Amsterdam Baby Week.

In total, we welcomed some 185,000 people to the RAI on what would ultimately be the busiest week for RAI Amsterdam in 2020.

brain measurements show added value of live events Five event organisers carried out unique research measuring the subconscious effect of exhibition visits. Neuroscience bureau Neurensics compared the value of live events to other types of commercial information exchange such as videos and commercials. As part of the study, 24 visitors to the Huishoudbeurs 2020 were fitted with a NIRS (Near Infra Red Spectography) medical device that measures the subconscious assessment of observations.

The research showed that the value of live contact was entirely different from that of a deferred or digital contact. The scientists saw that the message was processed by the brain in a much more active way during live contacts, both subconsciously and consciously processing information –whether it involves an event visit or interaction between client and salesperson. More details on the research results can be found here

Eberhardjes van Patisserie Kwekkeboom