page_title: RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre
section_title: History
hierarchical_section_title: RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre / History
caption_attribution_description: Nederlands: RAI-complex: Overzicht gedeelte voorgevel (opmerking: Gefotografeerd voor Toonbeelden van de Wederopbouw) This is an image of rijksmonument number 532206
context_page_description: RAI Amsterdam Convention Centre, commonly known as RAI Amsterdam or simply RAI, 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.
context_section_description: 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 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.
  The RAI completed construction of a 47 metres tall expansion named Elicium in 2009, serving as Europe’s largest conference center.
caption: Europahal RAI in April 2002
exif: {}