Client dinners and receptions around conferences at RAI Amsterdam

A Culinary Affair is a full-service culinary event agency based in Amsterdam. We organise client dinners, receptions, walking dinners and corporate events for Dutch and international companies attending conferences and trade fairs at RAI Amsterdam. For groups of 20 to 500 guests, we take care of the food, drinks, staff, transport, rental materials, styling and planning. We also work directly with international event agencies, event managers, personal assistants and executive assistants looking for a local partner in Amsterdam.

Why host a client dinner during a conference?

A conference brings the right people to one place, but rarely gives you time with them. Between sessions, stand visits and back-to-back meetings, most conversations last a few minutes. An evening dinner or reception gives you a smaller group, a good table and time to talk properly. In our experience, it is also what guests remember. After days in exhibition halls, an evening by the water or in a garden in Amsterdam stays with people long after the conference itself.

Which international events at RAI Amsterdam bring decision makers to Amsterdam?

RAI Amsterdam hosts large international trade fairs and conferences throughout the year. These are the ones that most often bring our clients to the city:

• Aquatech (March, every two years) - water technology, next held in March 2027.
• PLMA's World of Private Label (May) - retailers and manufacturers in private label.
• PROVADA (June) - the largest real estate platform in the Netherlands, with 27,089 visitors in 2025.
• Money20/20 Europe (June) - fintech, payments, banking and financial services technology.
• GreenTech Amsterdam (June) - horticulture technology, with professionals from all over the world.
• IBC (September) - media and entertainment technology, with 41,225 attendees from 170 countries in 2026.
• DMWF Europe (November) - 2,500+ CMOs, marketing directors and senior marketing leaders.
• METSTRADE (November) - the largest trade exhibition for marine equipment, with over 1,400 exhibitors.

Book early for these weeks. During IBC in particular, the area around RAI Amsterdam fills up and hotel rates rise across the city, and venues nearby are in high demand.

An example: an evening during PROVADA

After a day at PROVADA, we hosted an international group of corporate clients for an evening in Amsterdam: a boat tour through the city, followed by dinner. For the host, the whole evening ran through one point of contact, from the boat to the last course. Timing matters with an evening like this. In 2026, the PROVADA show floor closed at 19.00 h on its first two days, which makes the early evening the natural moment to take guests somewhere quieter.

Which venues near RAI Amsterdam work for a client dinner or reception?

We work at venues across Amsterdam. For events around RAI Amsterdam, these two suit different kinds of evening.

Botanische Tuin Zuidas - Van der Boechorststraat 8, Amsterdam

A garden in the middle of the Zuidas business district, a short drive from RAI Amsterdam, where we have organised many events and are one of the venue's recommended caterers. The glass-walled Wintertuin seats 60 guests for dinner from May to late October and 40 in winter, or hosts a standing reception for 120 in summer and 80 in winter. A marquee on the lawn extends that further.

Huize Zonnewijzer - Valeriusplein, Amsterdam Oud-Zuid

A 1919 Amsterdam School villa, now home to the gallery and studio of artist Micky Hoogendijk. An evening room with a fireplace, a dining room surrounded by art, and a sculpture garden. Best suited to walking dinners and receptions for up to 50 guests, or an intimate seated dinner for up to 12. We also work at your own office or at a venue of your choice.

What does A Culinary Affair take care of?

Every event starts with a conversation and a proposal written for that occasion, rather than a standard package. The evening can be a reception with walking bites, a walking dinner where guests move and mingle, or a seated dinner. We take care of:

• The menu, prepared by our own chefs, with attention to dietary requirements.
• Drinks, from wine and cocktails to alcohol-free options.
• Transport for your guests, from RAI Amsterdam to the venue and back.
• Service staff, chefs and an event manager on the day.
• Rental materials, styling, set-up and breakdown.
• Planning, timed around your conference programme.

How do you plan an evening around a conference?

Plan the start time around the show floor. Guests leaving RAI Amsterdam at closing time need time to reach the venue, so build that into the schedule. Share an expected minimum and maximum number of guests early. Conference weeks bring last-minute changes, and a range helps us plan staff, transport and quantities.

How many guests can A Culinary Affair host?

We organise events for 20 to 500 guests, from a client dinner to a large reception.

How far in advance should we book?

As early as possible. During major conference weeks, venues near RAI Amsterdam are in high demand.

Can you arrange transport from RAI Amsterdam?

Yes. We arrange transport for your guests from RAI Amsterdam to the venue and back, including by boat.

Can you help us find a venue?

Yes. We work at venues across Amsterdam and can advise on the right one for your group, format and budget.

Do you cater for dietary requirements?

Yes. Share allergies and dietary preferences when you confirm numbers, and we adapt the menu.

Planning an evening during a conference at RAI Amsterdam?

Get in touch at info@aculinaryaffair.nl or +31 6 81654 323. Tell us the date, the conference, the approximate number of guests and what you want the evening to do, and we will come back with a proposal.