Today, Thursday 26 August, Mayor Femke Halsema and Alderman Victor Everhardt (Economic Affairs) gave the starting signal for the return of business events in the city at RAI Amsterdam. The mayor and alderman, together with RAI CEO Paul Riemens and Tracey Davies, president of Money 20/20, officially opened the 2021/2022 exhibition and convention season during a press conference. During this press conference, the multi-day international trade shows and conventions were again warmly welcomed. The latest measures related to business events were also explained and the directors highlighted the impact that business events such as Money20/20 have on the relevant sectors (such as FinTech and Life, Sciences & Health).
Attractive conference destination
Mayor Halsema: “I am delighted that business events will once again be held in our city.We are ready to host, organize and facilitate international events in the city and the RAI.”
Alderman Everhardt (Economic Affairs): “The City of Amsterdam is investing 3.7 million euros in the next four years to recruit congresses that are valuable to our city. We want to make Amsterdam one of the most important congress cities in Europe. Amsterdam is now fourteenth on the list of the most attractive congress destinations worldwide. Conferences provide income, employment and training places while strengthening local economic sectors.”
Turnover
Conferences at RAI Amsterdam alone generated an annual turnover of approximately 690 million euros and employment of 6,300 FTEs for the Amsterdam region (MRA) in 2019. In general, a turnover of 1 euro of added value for RAI Amsterdam is 7 euros of added value for the region. With the Amsterdam convention sector at a standstill for a year and a half, the Amsterdam region lost a turnover of approximately one billion euros.
Rai CEO Paul Riemens: “In close contact with clients, exhibitors and other relations, we have found the right mix to make events safe and responsible. We are ready to launch in September with several influential events for all sectors, including financial.”
Money 20/20
Money20/20, the world’s leading event for the payments, fintech and financial services industries, will be the first event to take place at the RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre from 21 to 23 September 2021.
