An Amsterdam good year, as revenues soar at the RAI

In 2023, RAI Amsterdam’s revenue increased by 28% to €151.4m, with an operational profit of €27.3m  and a net profit of €7.6m, as Covid-19 restrictions no longer affected the events sector. CEO Paul Riemens said: “This has been an excellent year in every respect”. The convention centre hosted 314 events, attracting nearly 1.5m visitors, a 20% increase from 2022. Notable events included the Broadcast Exhibition IBC, with over 43,000 attendees from more than 170 countries, and the inaugural Cisco Live tech fair. The European Society of Cardiology also convened 24,000 doctors in Amsterdam. Sustainability efforts have led to substantial reductions in energy and resource consumption, the venue reports. Gas usage has nearly halved in five years, energy consumption decreased by 20%, and CO2 emissions fell by over 16%. Initiatives include installing water-saving taps, using plant-based and local products in the RAI kitchen, replacing carpets with circular tiles, and recycling employee uniforms into car upholstery materials. RAI Amsterdam is committed to enhancing the city’s well-being and development. Riemens said: “We are working on a long-term integrated area development programme.”  Looking ahead to 2024, he anticipates further innovation and collaboration with the Amsterdam council and stakeholders to enhance the venue’s value significantly.