Logistics surrounding events increasingly sustainable

Amsterdam, 12 October 2023 – Logistics partners of RAI Amsterdam are investing in the sustainability of their operations. This is a necessity, given the challenges in freight transport, and a clear desire of RAI, which aims to minimise its negative footprint in all aspects.

In a time when sustainability and social responsibility are taking centre stage, RAI Amsterdam acknowledges the impact of its operations. As a leading organisation in the events industry, promoting sustainable logistics is high on the priority list. The RAI is doing this in collaboration with its partners, who are also taking significant steps on their own to make their operations more sustainable.

Investing in transport solutions
DB Schenker has been RAI Amsterdam's logistics partner for a long time and actively invests in innovative transport solutions, renewable energy sources, and carbon-neutral products. "This includes setting up an advanced warehouse outside the residential area around RAI to reduce transportation movements to and from RAI," explains Nicole Biesheuvel, Senior Vice President Fairs, Events & Special Logistics at DB Schenker Benelux. "We are also using a zero-emission sprinter for small shipments and electrifying our onsite equipment." This contributes to the organisation's ambitious goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

Increased range for electric freight transport
A-Booth, RAI Amsterdam's partner in stand construction, is also making significant investments in the sustainability of logistics. The stand construction supplier recently conducted a successful test drive in collaboration with Vels Transport using an electric truck that transported stand materials from Oostzaan to the Jaarbeurs and picked up materials from RAI Amsterdam in a single trip. Given the upcoming restrictions on diesel vehicles in urban areas, this is an important step for freight transport. "Transport is the largest contributor to CO2 emissions in the event industry. That is why, as stand builders, we are actively seeking ways to limit our emissions. Electric freight transport or hydrogen-based transport leads to a significant reduction," says Chris van Dam, a director at A-Booth.

On the way to emission-free
"Our aim is to make logistics in and around RAI Amsterdam completely emission-free” says Bart van der Heijden, Director of Events at RAI Amsterdam. “Making logistics more sustainable is part of our future plan, which fits within the urban vision of the municipality of Amsterdam. While we are working towards a fully sustainable logistics system, we are testing and implementing various mobility solutions together with our partners. DB Schenker and A-booth are already showing great examples of this. We are enthusiastic about our collaborations and proud of the initiatives that reduce our impact on the environment.”