Amsterdam RAI generated net turnover of € 125.0 million in 2010, up 15.5% on the € 108.2 million posted in 2009. The rise in turnover was mainly attributable to the success of its (own) international exhibitions and events held in 2010.
Operating profit posted a spectacular rise and reached € 11.6 million (2009: € 4.4 million). After interest expenses and taxes, net profit came in at € 5.7 million (2009: € 0.2 million). The RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre was booked for international events for more than half of the past year – 201 days to be precise. During 2010 the RAI complex hosted 590 events which attracted a total of around 1.4 million visitors (equal to the comparable year 2008 comparable year 2008).
The rapid recovery of Amsterdam RAI after the crisis was primarily due to its international focus and activities. Three international trade exhibitions organised by Amsterdam RAI itself (Intertraffic, ISSA/INTERCLEAN and METS) enjoyed exceptionally successful editions. Other main contributors to the improved results in 2010 included several recurring international events organised by third parties as well as the successful acquisition of various one-off international ‘mega events’. In terms of long-term planning the RAI is back at its pre-crisis level.
International standard
Amsterdam RAI invests constantly in order to contribute to the international standard of the events and convention industry. The building of the Elicium – nominated for the ‘BNA Gebouw van het Jaar 2010’ (2010 BNA Building of the Year) architecture award – was recently followed by the completion of the reconfiguration of Europaplein. At the same time the realisation of the first stop on Amsterdam’s Noord/Zuidlijn underground line was achieved without any significant problems. Work over the next few months will include the entrance area of the Europa complex, the oldest part of the existing RAI, which was opened exactly 50 years ago by HRH Prince Bernard.
Sustainable ambition
Sustainability plays an increasingly important role in the modernisation and running of the business. By 2013 Amsterdam RAI aims to be the most sustainable exhibition and convention site in Europe.
In order to achieve this ambitious objective we recently restated one of our core values as ‘RAI going for sustainable result’.
Administrative innovation
Furthermore, in 2010 Amsterdam RAI in conjunction with the City of Amsterdam achieved a noteworthy administrative innovation with regard to the permit procedures for events. As a result in 2010 Amsterdam RAI became the first private enterprise in the Netherlands to be certified to manage and enforce event-related permits in certain areas.
Outlook
The ability of Amsterdam RAI to attract sufficient major one-off international third-party events – in addition to its own events and recurring third-party events – is of crucial importance to its results. Intensive and constant promotion on the part of Amsterdam RAI and its business partners is required to secure such itinerant mega events. In 2011 Amsterdam RAI is assured of these thanks to events including the 25th Gastech Conference and Exhibition, Offshore Energy and the 14th World Conference on Lung Cancer.
Nevertheless, given the larger share of domestic trade exhibitions in the 2011 schedule and the downward trend in visitor numbers for these, the financial result is expected to come in slightly lower than last year. The success of the AutoRAI automotive event will also have a major impact on the final result.
