RAI Amsterdam again named ‘Best International Venue’

The annual Exhibition News Awards – the ‘Oscars of the live communication sector’ – have once again hailed RAI Amsterdam as the Best International Venue. Jury members were particularly impressed with the RAI’s “excellent green credentials and great local community engagement.” 

This prestigious award is a testament to the hard work of all RAI Amsterdam employees who have been committed to ensuring sustainability in the broadest sense of the word for years. As Executive Chef Food & Beverage, Rientz Mulder is responsible for the catering at conferences and events. He explains why food and beverages play a major role in making conferences more sustainable.

"Large companies like ours can have a huge impact by making conscious choices with regards to food and beverages. For instance, we started our 'Heartwarming Amsterdam project in 2010, aimed to use as many local producers and suppliers as possible and add value to the Amsterdam region. We recently enhanced our sustainable options even further by offering a fully plant-based F&B assortment. The standard menu is now entirely plant-based at some events as we see more and more event organisers requesting this. We also try to encourage those organisers who are still unsure to take such an approach and it often requires only a gentle prod. Offering a plant-based F&B assortment means you serve visitors very tasty dishes, reduce your CO2 footprint and inspire people with a compelling story."

The right combination

"Organisers are primarily looking for a menu that is healthy, comforting and delicious," says Senior Product Manager F&B Jacqueline Felix. "They require a range of options which also cater to various dietary preferences. The impact on CO2 emissions is becoming increasingly important and, with the new Single Use Plastic legislation coming into force in the Netherlands at the start of 2024, the RAI is now a disposable-free venue. Drinks are served in hard cups and food on melamine bowls and plates. This has a significant impact on waste management and the challenge we now face is reminding visitors not to throw away the reusables."

Felix says that RAI Amsterdam sees it as its duty to provide organisers with peace of mind. 'We welcome the chance to brainstorm with clients, assessing their needs and translating them into a custom proposal. And in doing so we introduce them to our Heartwarming concept, reflecting the fact that food and beverages are playing an increasingly important role in the success of an event. RAI Amsterdam has been around for over a century so our broad expertise enables us to translate client wishes into an applicable food experience in any format."

Vertical greenhouse

Innovation in the vegan kitchen has made rapid progress over the past decade and RAI Amsterdam is keen to stay ahead of the curve. “We're no longer excited about a hummus wrap and prefer not to use meat substitutes,” explains Mulder. “There are so many other ways to create a balanced vegetable-based dish. Think of pieces of mushroom for texture or a deliciously crispy slice of roasted celeriac as a burger. People who taste our vegan creations are always pleasantly surprised. Indian cuisine is a major source of inspiration as its traditionally primarily plant-based, with ingredients such as beans, lentils and tofu. Presentation obviously matters too and we make sure the dishes look very appealing. The herbs and flowers grown in the RAI’s own vertical greenhouse are a perfect ingredient.”

From vegetarian to vegan

The RAI chefs closely monitor catering trends, adds Felix. “It is clear that the vegetarian trend has now evolved into a vegan one. There are also increasing demands for gluten-free options and our plant-based assortment is a solution that fits into almost every diet. Street food dishes are also very popular currently and we serve internationally recognisable dishes that can easily be eaten standing up. Events roughly consist of sharing three things: content, networking and experience. And food is an experience! With the right ingredients and dishes, the RAI kitchen team can enhance any experience that organisers are looking to create.”

Societal involvement

RAI Amsterdam has also developed many ideas over recent years aimed at supporting various local initiatives. 'We have an extensive social programme that connects needs with the opportunities we can offer from within the RAI,” says CSR Manager Stephanie Mathas. 
“Our donation programmes are a good example, where we give leftover items, food and beverages to local charities after events. We also make our venue available for neighbourhood initiatives. Deploying our facilities, people, expertise, events and network, we strive to make a genuine difference locally."

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Diversity

RAI Amsterdam is making significant strides in the area of diversity and inclusion, with our new policy being officially ratified on 8 March, International Women’s Day. “As an employee I am proud that this issue is so high on our agenda,” says PR & Communications Manager Katelijn Wilhelmy. “It's reassuring that the RAI is a place where everyone can be themselves, regardless of age, gender, background, religion or sexual orientation. It is of course easy to say something like that, but we don't stop there. We have our own diversity & inclusion ambassadors, will soon implement a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination, and organise various events on the theme such as the 2024 Leader Day and Diversity Week. We also measure the impact of our activities at various times. All this and more means the RAI is committed to a future that is beneficial not only for organisers and visitors but also for our neighbours, employees, stakeholders and the city of Amsterdam and its residents. Together, we are making RAI Amsterdam a hospitable and inclusive place where everyone feels at home.”