Great success of Millionaire Fair Amsterdam 2007
Once again the Miljonair Fair has broken every record! The most exclusive and leading luxury event in the Netherlands and far beyond its borders attracted 47,000 visitors this year, two thousand more than last year. "Together, these visitors spent more this year than ever before", says organiser Gijrath.
From 6 to 10 December the Amsterdam RAI was transformed into a true shopper's paradise for today's bon vivants. Over the five-day exhibition period, the 246 exhibitors from both the Netherlands and abroad booked excellent results. Compared with last year, sales were up considerably. Enthusiastic stand holders presented the organisation with sales figures that spoke for themselves. "I am in shock", said Mr Gijrath. According to Gijrath, Lengers Yachts (dealer of Riva, among others) sold a number of boats and yachts. Hessing sold a Bugatti Veyron for 1.2 million euros, as well as a number of Maserati's. The exclusive ¡®Classic Roadster'sports car by Backdraftracing, valued at 100,000 euros, attracted four registrations. According to Benno Leeser, CEO of Gassan Diamonds, more watches and jewellery were sold than ever before. Business was booming for renowned brands such as Rolex, IWC, Breitling, Cartier and Audemars Piquet. There was also great interest in exclusive pianos, second homes abroad, sloops, exclusive pashmina shawls, medical scans and art.
Joan Collins hosted the spectacular opening of the Fair at the sensational VIP night. Attended by more than 6,000 guests, this night has become the party of the year and is visited by many members of the national and international press.
The Fair is a stage for the very top end of the luxury segment. This year it featured no less than 77 national and international launches. Visitors enjoyed themselves for five whole days, feasting on the unique entertainment, stylish ambiance, sensational performances by stars - including Tony Hadley, Trijntje Oosterhuis, The Three Degrees, Edsilia Rombley, and Nurlaila Karim - and culinary highlights; all of which provided a level of glitz and glamour that had never before been seen, and that included live fashion shows by top brands and famous fashion designers such as Sheila de Vries, Addy van den Krommenacker and Frans Molenaar.
The last day of the Fair, Business Monday, was devoted entirely to networking. Famous speakers like John van den Heuvel, Wubbo Ockels, Jerry Langelaar and Don Schothorst addressed the audience from the main stage. Toine van Peperstraten interviewed famous sportsmen from the ¡®Sportcaf§Û'. Regilio Tuur, Ruud Gullit and Fatima de Moreira de Melo talked about their careers and questions put to them by Peperstraten. The day was concluded with the presentation of the ¡®Networker of the Year'award by the Editor in Chief of Miljonair, Onno Aerden. Aerden presented winner Harry Mens with a cup designed by Gassan Diamonds.
Yves Gijrath and Hans Bakker, Chairman of the Board of Amsterdam RAI, also signed a contract for the next three years. The Fair will remain at Amsterdam RAI until 2010. Yves Gijrath: "The RAI is the only organisation that has the location, logistics, internal organisation and three-dimensional cooperation we need to host such a grand event". Hans Bakker is also very happy with the cooperation and delighted that the RAI was chosen as the location to hold the Miljonair Fair. "The Miljonair Fair is one of the most spectacular events in the Netherlands, which proves that Amsterdam RAI ranks among the top Fair and events locations in the Netherlands".
This was the sixth edition of the Miljonair Fair, and the fifth occasion that it was held at Amsterdam RAI. Following its successful launch in 2002 at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam, GMG Events chose Amsterdam RAI because of overwhelming interest and the organisation's ambitions for the 2003 event. Amsterdam RAI will continue to be the proud host to the Miljonair Fair.
The seventh edition of the Miljonair Fair will take place next year from 11 to 15 December at Amsterdam RAI. Editions are also being planned for 2008 in Munich, Istanbul, Moscow, Shanghai and Kortrijk.
