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Opened in 1961, the RAI welcomed its 75 millionth visitor in February 2001. Up to 2 million people visit the RAI every year. Some 50 international conferences and 70 trade shows are held at the RAI annually. The complex consists of 22 conference rooms and 11 halls and has a total floor space of 87,000 m². The largest hall can seat 12,900 people. The complex also includes a musical and concert theater and underground parking space for over 3,000 cars. In addition to the rooms and halls that are equipped with the latest technology, RAI has also got a musical and concert theater.
The restaurants inside the RAI are famous for the quality understanding of service and easiness of availability. With self-service and waiter service options, the restaurants inside are able to fulfill all types of preferences.
The RAI completed construction of a 47 meters tall expansion named Elicium in 2009, serving as Europe´s largest conference center.
The origins of the RAI complex can be traced back to 1893, when the trade association RI (Rijwiel-Industrie, Dutch for "Bicycle Industry") was founded by a number of bicycle manufacturers. The first bicycle trade show of the RI was held in 1895 at the Palace of Industry ("Paleis voor Volksvlijt") building in Amsterdam. In 1900 the RI changed its name to RAI (Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie) because many of its members had started manufacturing auto-mobiles in addition to bicycles.
In 1922 the RAI occupied an exhibition hall of its own on the Ferdinand Bolstraat in Amsterdam. This building, the "old RAI", was replaced by the current building complex on Europaplein square, which was opened by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands on February 2, 1961. The RAI trade association still owns 75% of the complex, with the remainder in the hands of the municipality of Amsterdam.
Nowadays the RAI complex is used to organize several events and trade shows during the year. Especially at the trade shows Compules Rentals is supplier for a lot of companies who are present at the several shows. Do you attend an exhibition or trade show in Amsterdam in the RAI complex? We would be very proud to hear from you, so we can provide you with the necessary audio-, video or computer equipment.
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