Amsterdam RAI achieved a net turnover of € 133.3 million in 2007, which was 15.3% more than in 2006.

Turnover was up by 24% on 2005, which was the comparable year in the biennial exhibition cycle.

The operating profit was € 12.5 million, a drop of over 3% compared with 2006, which was a top year for Amsterdam RAI thanks in part to a number of mega events. Net profit fell by just under 23% to€ 7.3 million.

This drop was almost entirely due to the fact that corporation tax had to be paid on the entire profit for the first time again in 2007. The 600-odd events held at Amsterdam RAI in 2007 attracted a total of over 1.8 million visitors.

In the past year Amsterdam RAI once again invested heavily in its exhibition and conference complex. This is most visible in the construction of the RAI Elicium, the high quality addition at the front of the complex, as well as in the refurbishment of the existing facilities.

The Elicium will enable Amsterdam RAI to adopt an even more emphatic presence in the market for large, international, multi-day events from 2009 onwards. Capital expenditure on the complex totalled € 22.2 million in 2007.

International successes

Among the factors responsible for the sharp rise in turnover in 2007 was the success of the RAI’s own exhibitions and the international events organised by external event organisers. In September the 40th edition of the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) set an all-time record, attracting over 1,300 exhibitors and 47,000 visitors from over 150 countries.

The same month also saw a meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD), a multi-day international conference attended by over 14,000 members of the medical profession from all European countries.

In October and November the international highlights were two international trade shows organised by Amsterdam RAI itself, namely METS (Marine Equipment Trade Show) and TERTS (The European Road Transport Show). 

National exhibitions

The reputation of various national exhibitions organised by Amsterdam RAI itself, such as Huishoudbeurs (household goods) and Horecava (food service industry), gained recognition when the National Expo Annual Prizes for 2007 were presented. Amsterdam RAI (or participants in events at the RAI) won in three out of the four categories. Horecava won the prize in the ‘best business-to-business trade exhibition or event concept’ category.

Although the Amsterdam Motor Show 2007 was more innovative than ever, with over 100 new models on display, the number of visitors was rather lower than expected. The main causes were the change in the exhibition dates and the spell of extremely hot weather during this show in April 2007.

Expectations

Amsterdam RAI expects turnover and profits in 2008 to exceed the 2007 level. Confidence in the longer term future is boosted by the fact that several new large events for the post-2008 period were booked in the past year. Multi-year contracts have also been concluded for various existing large events.