RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre
| RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre | |
|---|---|
 RAI Elicium in 2010 | |
 | |
| Location | Zuidas, Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Coordinates | 52°20′29″N 4°53′18″E / 52.34139°N 4.88833°ECoordinates: 52°20′29″N 4°53′18″E / 52.34139°N 4.88833°E |
| Owner |
|
| Architect | Alexander Bodon |
| Opened | 2 February 1961 |
| Renovated | 2007–2009, 2018 |
| Expanded | 2009 (RAI Elicium) |
Former names | Amsterdam RAI Exhibition and Convention Centre |
Theatre seating |
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| Enclosed space | |
| • Total space | 112,200 m2 (1,208,000 sq ft) |
| Parking | 4,000 spaces |
| Public transit access |
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| Website | |
| www | |
RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre,[1] commonly known as RAI Amsterdam[1] or simply RAI (Dutch pronunciation: [raːi] (
listen), acronym for Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie), is a complex of conference and exhibition halls in the Zuidas business district of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
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 multi-functional halls and has a total floor space of 112,200 m². The largest hall, Europahal RAI, can Capacity 12,900 people. The complex also includes a musical and concert theatre and underground parking space for over 4,000 cars.
It gives its name to the nearby Amsterdam RAI railway station.
History[]
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 Paleis voor Volksvlijt ("Palace of Industry") building in Amsterdam. In 1900 the RI changed its name to RAI (Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie), because many of its members had started manufacturing automobiles 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 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.
The RAI completed construction of a 47 metres tall expansion named Elicium in 2009, serving as Europe’s largest conference center.[2]
Events[]
Trade shows and other events held annually at the RAI include:
- Art Amsterdam, an art fair
- AutoRAI, an automobile trade show
- HISWA, a boating and watersports trade show
- Horecava, a trade fair for the hospitality industry
- Horti Fair, a trade show for the horticultural industry
- International Broadcasting Convention, an annual trade show for broadcasters
- , an equestrian sporting event
- (previously Miljonair Fair), a trade fair aimed at the very wealthiest
In addition, the 1969 Grand Gala du Disque[3] and 1970 Eurovision Song Contest were held at the RAI.
In media[]
Parts of the film Trafic (1971) by Jacques Tati were shot at the RAI during the 1970 car show.
References[]
- ^ Jump up to: a b "About RAI Amsterdam". www.rai.nl. Retrieved 17 June 2019.
- ^ "Our heritage – the RAI Story". Rai.nl. Archived from the original on 2011-11-07. Retrieved 2011-10-16.
- ^ "Artist Are Listed For Amsterdam Grand Gala" (PDF). Billboard: 62. March 15, 1969.
External links[]
Media related to Amsterdam RAI at Wikimedia Commons
- Official website (in Dutch)
| show Eurovision Song Contest |
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| show Authority control  |
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- Convention centres in the Netherlands
- Buildings and structures in Amsterdam
- Tourist attractions in Amsterdam
- Amsterdam-Zuid