Horecava 2027 – Amsterdam, Netherlands

What to expect

Concept: Horecava 2027 – Amsterdam, Netherlands is the Netherlands’ largest and longest-running hospitality trade fair, held since 1957. The event is the national meeting point for professionals in the world of eating, drinking and sleeping outdoors.
Scale: The trade show brings together around 60,000 hospitality professionals and more than 650 exhibitors across 64,000 square meters of exhibition space at RAI Amsterdam. It is a trade-only platform where the entire industry is represented.
Celebration edition: This edition marks the 70th anniversary of Horecava, making it a special edition with extra inspiration, innovations and anniversary activities focused on the future of hospitality.
Product breadth: Visitors discover the newest flavours and trends, best innovations, most practical solutions and most promising startups in one visit. The offer ranges from fast service and food & wine to tech & services and interior & design.
Experience focus: Horecava is known for its strong focus on atmosphere and experience. Exhibitors create stands where visitors want to stay, with live cooking, tastings, barista battles, interior styling and technology demonstrations.
Value: For horeca entrepreneurs, the fair provides inspiration for a whole year of hospitality operations, in one location where all of Dutch hospitality is present.

Event dates

Official Dates: January 11 to 14, 2027
Opening Hours: Monday to Wednesday 10:00-18:00, Thursday 10:00-17:00
Build-up Period: Wednesday to Sunday before opening, 08:00-20:00, with extended hours on Friday
Dismantling Period: Thursday from 19:30 to Saturday after closing
Frequency: Annual trade show
Venue: RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, Amsterdam
Organiser: RAI Amsterdam
Contact: +31 20 549 1212, horecava@rai.nl, https://www.horecava.nl/
Registration Opens: Mid-November of the preceding year

Visiting this event? Don’t miss out on these amazing activities and local experiences while you’re here.

Venue & exhibition site

Location: RAI Amsterdam is located at Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands, with excellent accessibility by train, tram, metro and bus. The complex consists of 22 conference rooms and 11 multifunctional halls with a total floor space of 112,200 square meters.
Halls used: Horecava 2027 occupies halls 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 and 12, plus the Elicium and Amtrium for congresses and award ceremonies.
Facilities: The RAI offers high power outlets, AV facilities, food services, underground parking for over 3,000 cars, and a dedicated train station Amsterdam RAI located 300 meters from the entrance. The largest hall can seat 12,900 people.
Accessibility: All levels are accessible by lift and the venue is fully accessible for visitors with disabilities. Wayfinding is provided via digital screens and the official app.
Exhibitor services: Stand facilities such as electricity, water and internet must be ordered through Exhibitor Services before the published deadline. Construction rules for maximum build height, rigging points and fire safety follow the RAI exhibitor manual.
Sustainability: RAI Amsterdam works with sustainable stand construction, reusable beMatrix frames, waste separation and energy-efficient lighting, aligning with the sustainability ambitions of the hospitality sector.

Full event programme

Programme scope: The event offers a full programme with more than 200 sessions, competitions, tastings and knowledge theatres spread across the halls and congress centre.
Themed areas: The exhibition is divided into several exhibition areas, each with exhibitors from different areas in hospitality and catering, including fast service, food & wine, coffee & tea, bakery, interior & design, large kitchen equipment and tech & services.
Innovation platform: The Innovation Square showcases nominated products for the Horecava Innovation Award and Horecava Sustainability Award, with expert jury presentations and visitor voting.
Live experiences: Visitors experience live cooking by top chefs, cocktail and mocktail demonstrations, barista championships, wine masterclasses and interior styling labs.
Business focus: The programme is designed for decision-makers to meet new and existing suppliers, compare products, negotiate contracts and plan investments for the upcoming season.
Knowledge sharing: The programme connects education, industry associations and entrepreneurs to discuss future-proof hospitality, healthy food concepts and circular operations.

Key speakers & keynote speakers

Speaker profile: Horecava invites leading chefs, hotel owners, restaurant entrepreneurs, food trend watchers, sustainability experts and technology pioneers from the Netherlands and abroad.
Chef line-up: Previous editions featured Michelin-starred chefs, SVH Meesterkoks, Master Bartenders and World Barista Champions presenting signature dishes and techniques on the main stages.
Entrepreneur stories: Successful horeca entrepreneurs share stories on scaling fast casual concepts, running profitable hotels, managing staff shortages and building strong employer brands.
Trend watchers: Food trend watchers and market analysts present insights on consumer behaviour, plant-based growth, local sourcing, functional drinks and the experience economy.
Sustainability leaders: Experts on circular kitchens, food waste reduction, energy management and sustainable building present practical business cases.
Technology voices: Leaders in hospitality tech discuss AI for revenue management, self-service kiosks, kitchen automation and data-driven guest experiences.

Conference sessions & tracks

Fast Service Track: Sessions on growth in delivery, ghost kitchens, automation, menu engineering and profitability in quick service and cafeterias.
Food & Beverage Track: Tracks on fermentation, low and no-alcohol, specialty coffee, natural wines, health and indulgence balance and new protein sources.
Hotel & Leisure Track: Sessions on hotel technology, housekeeping innovation, guest journey, leisure parks, holiday parks and outdoor accommodation trends.
Interior & Design Track: Focus on storytelling interiors, sustainable materials, lighting design, acoustics and creating Instagram-worthy hospitality spaces.
Tech & Services Track: Coverage of POS systems, staff planning software, payment solutions, cyber security, procurement platforms and energy management.
Sustainability & People Track: Dedicated track on human capital, retaining staff, inclusive workplaces, mental health in hospitality, training and circular business models.

Session times & schedule

Daily structure: Knowledge theatres open shortly after hall opening and run continuously with 30 to 45 minute sessions, panels and live demos until late afternoon.
Morning inspiration: Morning sessions focus on trend keynotes and market figures to start the day with strategic insights.
Midday live: Midday is dominated by live cooking, competitions and tastings on central stages, allowing visitors to combine learning with lunch inspiration.
Afternoon business: Afternoon sessions focus on practical workshops, business cases and meet-the-expert roundtables for deeper discussion.
Thursday finale: The final day features award ceremonies for Innovation Award, Sustainability Award and Best Stand, plus closing keynotes looking ahead to the next season.
Planning tool: Full session schedule is available via the Horecava app and website, where visitors can favourite sessions and create a personal agenda linked to hall location.

Ticket types & registration

Trade visitor ticket: Admission is free for qualified trade professionals who pre-register online via the official website. Registration opens in mid-November and requires company name, business email and professional function. This is the standard ticket for horeca owners, managers, chefs and purchasing professionals.
Day ticket value: For non-qualified visitors or on-site registration where applicable, the day ticket value based on previous editions is approximately USD 0.00 for pre-registered trade visitors and approximately USD 86.40 for late or non-trade registration at the door, converted from EUR 80.00.
Exhibitor badges: Exhibitors receive a contingent of exhibitor badges based on stand size. Additional exhibitor badges are available for approximately USD 32.40 per badge, converted from EUR 30.00.
Build-up badges: All personnel working on build-up must be registered in advance for a build-up badge via the exhibitor portal, mandatory for access during build-up hours.
Parking ticket: Parking at RAI Amsterdam is not included in admission. A parking space can be reserved online for approximately USD 28.08 per day, converted from EUR 26.00, with higher rates for on-site purchase without reservation.
Group registration: Companies registering 10 or more trade visitors can request a group code via the organiser for consolidated management.

Registration deadlines

Visitor registration: Online pre-registration opens in mid-November and remains open until the final day of the show, but early registration is strongly recommended for fast entry and access to the matchmaking tool.
Exhibitor services deadline: Orders for electricity, water, internet, rigging and catering via Exhibitor Services must be placed before early December to avoid surcharges.
Build-up registration deadline: Registration for build-up badges and vehicle passes must be completed before the start of build-up week.
Innovation Award deadline: Entries for Horecava Innovation Award and Sustainability Award must be submitted approximately two months before opening via the exhibitor portal.
Hotel booking deadline: Negotiated hotel rates via the official accommodation partner expire approximately three weeks before opening due to high demand in Amsterdam.

Exhibitor list & major companies

Exhibitor count: The show hosts around 656 exhibitors based on previous editions, with 600 plus expected for the anniversary edition, showcasing kitchen equipment, interiors, beverages, food trends and technology.
Food & beverage brands: Major exhibitors include Unilever Food Solutions, Nestlé Professional, Coca-Cola, Heineken, Royal Swinkels, Bidfood, Sligro, Hanos and Verstegen Spices.
Equipment suppliers: Large kitchen equipment from MKN GmbH & Co. KG, Rational, Winterhalter, Hobart, Hoshizaki and Meiko, plus refrigeration from True and Liebherr.
Tech and services: POS and payment providers like Lightspeed, Adyen, and Deliverect, staff planning tools and procurement platforms.
Interior and design: Hotel and restaurant interior suppliers, tableware brands, lighting and acoustic solutions, outdoor furniture and sustainable materials.
Startups and concepts: Over 100 startups present at dedicated startup squares and innovation labs, focusing on plant-based concepts, food waste tech, reusable packaging and smart kitchen solutions.

Exhibition halls & floor plan

Floor size: The complex offers 87,000 square meters of exhibition space on the ground floor plus 22 conference rooms, allowing flexible layout for themed squares and large demonstrations.
Hall layout: Halls 1, 2 and 3 typically host food, beverage and fast service, halls 6 and 7 large kitchen technology and equipment, halls 8 and 10 interior & design and hotel amenities, halls 11 and 12 tech & services and startup areas.
Elicium and Amtrium: The Elicium and Amtrium buildings host keynote stages, award ceremonies and congresses with panoramic city views.
Entrances: Main entrances are Entrance A, B and C on Europaplein side, plus Entrance K near the train station. Horecava signage guides visitors to theme entrances.
Navigation: Floor plan is available via ExpoFP, the Horecava app and printed at entrance halls. Digital wayfinding includes hall numbers, theme colours and live session boards.
Services: Information desks, first aid posts at Zuidzijde hall 7 and near Diamond Lounge opposite Café Amsterdam, plus cloakrooms and business centres are located throughout.

Networking & business meetings

Matchmaking platform: Via the official app and website, trade visitors can search exhibitors by product, sector and innovation, and schedule business meetings before arrival.
Networking squares: Each hall features networking lounges with coffee, seating and meeting tables for informal discussions between buyers and suppliers.
Evening events: Exhibitors host networking drinks on their stands during late afternoon, plus official Horecava parties and anniversary celebrations in the city.
Associations: Industry associations such as Koninklijke Horeca Nederland, FoodService Instituut and SVH host member meetings and roundtables on staff shortages and future regulations.
Business leads: The badge scanning system allows exhibitors and visitors to exchange digital contacts, follow up with product information and schedule post-show appointments.

Industry sectors & highlights

Hotel and lodging: Hotel amenities, housekeeping innovation, revenue management, smart rooms, holiday parks and outdoor accommodation.
Restaurant and catering: Restaurant concepts, menu innovation, kitchen efficiency, food safety, delivery solutions and catering for healthcare and education.
Fast service and cafeteria: Fast casual growth, snacking, plant-based, automation, kiosks and profitability in high-volume operations.
Coffee, tea and drinks: Specialty coffee, tea concepts, soft drinks, low and no-alcohol, cocktails, wines and functional beverages.
Bakery and patisserie: Bakery equipment, bread concepts, patisserie trends, chocolate and healthy indulgence.
Interior and technology: Interior design, lighting, tableware, payment tech, staff management, energy management and sustainable operations.

Event rules & visitor information

Trade-only admission: Horecava is a trade show for decision-makers in hospitality and foodservice. Admittance type is traders only. Visitors must be active in horeca, catering, hotel or related supply industry.
Identification: Visitors must present business identification or registration confirmation at entrance. The organizer may request proof of professional activity.
Badge policy: Badges are personal and non-transferable. Wearing badges visibly is mandatory for entry to halls and theatres.
Age and conduct: No admission for general public and children under 16 except as part of organized educational programmes. Visitors are expected to respect stand boundaries and not distribute promotional materials outside own stand.
Photography: Personal photography is allowed but exhibitors may restrict photography of proprietary concepts. Commercial filming requires prior permission from RAI Amsterdam.
Safety: Follow instructions of hall staff and exhibitors during live demonstrations involving hot surfaces, sharp tools or heavy equipment.

How to get there

Address: RAI Amsterdam, Europaplein 24, NL-1078 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands. The venue is situated on the ring road A10 and Zuidas business district.
By car: From A10 ring road, take exit RAI. Follow signs RAI. Traffic around RAI gets very busy during Horecava, so public transport is strongly recommended to avoid traffic jams and long wait times.
By train: Railway station Amsterdam RAI is 300 meters from the RAI complex. Intercity and sprinter services connect directly to Schiphol, Utrecht and Rotterdam.
By bike: Bicycle parking is available around the complex with supervised racks near main entrances.
By air: Amsterdam Schiphol Airport is 15 minutes by train to RAI station. Direct trains run every few minutes during daytime.

Public transport & parking

Train: Amsterdam RAI station is directly connected to the venue. From Central Station, metro or train connection takes only a few minutes.
Tram, metro and bus: Tram line 4, bus lines 62 and 65, and metro lines 50, 51 and 52 stop right at RAI. Metro 52 from North to South connects directly to city centre.
Parking: RAI Amsterdam offers low-priced indoor parking with underground parking space for over 3,000 cars. The car park can function as public parking when not needed for events. Benthem Crouwel Architects has supervised the entire RAI complex since 1989.
Park & Ride: Visitors are advised to carpool, reserve parking in advance where possible, or choose a Park & Ride location and take public transport for remaining distance. This gets you to Horecava faster than trying to park in surrounding area.
Taxi and ride share: Designated drop-off zones at Europaplein and near Entrance K. Allow extra time during peak arrival hours.

Accommodation areas

Zuidas business district: Hotels in Zuidas are within walking distance of RAI, ideal for exhibitors and international visitors seeking business hotels with meeting facilities.
City centre: Hotels around Museumplein, De Pijp and historic centre offer tourist appeal with 10 to 15 minute metro or tram ride to RAI.
Airport area: Hotels near Schiphol and Amstelveen are suitable for visitors combining Horecava with international travel.
Booking advice: Amsterdam hotels reach high occupancy during Horecava week. Booking via RAI Hotel Services provides negotiated rates and flexible cancellation for trade visitors.
Price range: Business hotel rates during trade fair periods typically range from approximately USD 162.00 to USD 378.00 per night for 3 to 5 star properties, converted from previous edition contracted rates of EUR 150.00 to EUR 350.00.

Previous year’s highlights

Visitor numbers: Previous editions attracted around 43,685 to 71,000 trade visitors depending on counting method, with around 60,000 hospitality professionals reported for recent editions, confirming position as Netherlands’ largest hospitality trade fair.
Exhibitor numbers: Around 656 exhibitors showcased on 64,000 square meters of exhibition space, representing every level from hotel amenities to catering technology.
Innovation winners: Innovation Award and Sustainability Award winners included reusable packaging systems, energy-saving kitchen equipment, plant-based concepts and circular interior materials.
Live programme: Live stages hosted barista championships, cocktail competitions, wine masterclasses and chef battles that drew large crowds and extensive trade press coverage.
Industry sentiment: Visitor surveys highlighted value in seeing the entire industry represented in one place, discovering practical solutions for staff shortages, sustainability and profitability, and meeting existing and new suppliers efficiently.

Official registration & tickets

Official channel: Register only via https://www.horecava.nl/ and the official RAI registration portal. Avoid third-party ticket resellers claiming to sell Horecava tickets.
Registration process: Complete online form with company details, receive QR code via email, show QR at entrance for badge printing or mobile entry. Registration is free for qualified trade professionals.
On-site support: Registration desks at entrances A and K open from early morning for badge printing, parking questions and general information.
Exhibitor portal: Exhibitors manage badges, services and award entries via the RAI Exhibitor Portal linked from the official website.
Support contact: For registration issues, contact RAI Amsterdam at +31 20 549 1212 or horecava@rai.nl for assistance during office hours.