We’ve recovered relatively well; however, the number of meetings has not yet returned to pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019. Interestingly, the number of delegates attending congresses has surpassed 2019 figures, with an increasing number of meetings taking place in the greater Amsterdam Area.
#1 world’s most sustainable city – In 2024, Amsterdam earned the title of the most sustainable city in the world, according to Arcadis. The city is an ideal choice for eco-conscious event planning, offering a variety of venues and green-certified hotels. With ambitious goals to cut emissions by 95% by 2050 and forward-thinking projects like smart grids and solar initiatives, Amsterdam is setting a global benchmark for sustainability in the events industry.
Where innovation and impact meet – Known for hosting meetings with global influence, many may not know that Amsterdam also specializes in sharing that impact with local residents. The city is increasingly focused on collaborating within its events sector to ensure innovations are shared and experienced positively. Key sectors like food security, healthcare, and circularity are leading the way, making Amsterdam the ideal location for organizations that prioritize purpose and progress.
Amsterdam is turning 750 years old – On 27 October 2025, Amsterdam will celebrate its 750th anniversary, with a series of events leading up to the occasion. The anniversary year, spanning from October 2024 to the official date, will highlight the city's rich history, its future, and the path that brought it to this milestone.
As the official planning partner for international association event planners, the Amsterdam Convention Bureau provides value through tailored services. These range from site inspection programs and venue/hotel recommendations to connections with local providers and arranging tailored impact initiatives. Event planners can benefit from our help to arrange impact activities surrounding their event; from delegate bike rental schemes to public events - collaborations with local businesses have helped many events make a local impact in our city.
Amsterdam has over 500 unique meeting spaces, ready to host groups of all sizes, even in the thousands. High-tech heritage sites like the TAETS Art and Event Park and atmospheric meeting rooms at the Beurs van Berlage offer a perfect blend of modern-meets-historic venues that are sure to impress. The city is also home to the largest conference center in the Netherlands, RAI Amsterdam, with 116,200 square meters of exhibition space.
Amsterdam offers more than 36,000 hotel rooms to suit a variety of preferences and budgets. Visitors can choose from luxurious 5-star hotels like Hotel Okura or Sofitel Legend The Grand, as well as comfortable 4-star options such as the Mövenpick Hotel and Leonardo Royal Hotel. For more budget-conscious travelers, there are excellent 3-star choices including Casa and Holiday Inn Amsterdam. This year, we announced an exciting new partnership with Unique Venues of Amsterdam to further enhance the value of the I amsterdam Approved Label. This initiative ensures a reliable selection of hotel rooms with competitive pricing, continuing our commitment to quality and affordability.
Amsterdam is a globally connected city with excellent transport links. High-speed trains connect the city to major European capitals like London, Paris, Brussels, and Berlin, while Schiphol Airport offers direct flights to over 300 destinations worldwide. The city center is only a 15-minute ride from the airport via public transport. With an excellent network of metros, trams, buses, bikes, and ferries, navigating the city is effortless, ensuring quick transfers between venues, restaurants, cultural attractions, and hotels.
Lowlander Botanical Bar & Restaurant offers a menu that reimagines classic dishes using plant-based ingredients. Emphasizing sustainability, the restaurant uses surplus, locally sourced, organic ingredients and embraces a zero-waste philosophy. Ideal for large groups with its scenic view of the IJ River, it is also near other local gems such as Hotel de Goudfazant and the indie cinema FC Hyena.
Planning your next event in Amsterdam? Contact the Amsterdam Convention Bureau team at meetings@iamsterdam.com
Issue #14 – December 2024