This welcome pack has been created to provide you with all the information you will need to begin planning your journey with Food Matters Live at the Ahoy Convention Centre, Rotterdam. 

Travel and Accommodation

Venue Address

Rotterdam Ahoy, Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA, Rotterdam.

Map of how to get to the venue: https://www.ahoy.nl/en/accessibility

Parking

Ahoy will be hosting other events alongside Food Matters Live, and we recommend that you pre-book your parking in advance. Parking links will be shared with you during your first planning call with us to ensure they are relevant to the correct event days you are attending. 

Parking is available from 5 am each day and is valid until 5 am the following day. The closest car park to the RACC is P1 & P2. Guests who have pre-booked parking will need to show their ticket when they arrive at the car park barrier. To prebook your parking, click the dates you require below. 

Monday September 22nd, 2025

Tuesday September 23rd, 2025

Wednesday September 24th, 2025

Disabled parking spaces are available for guests with blue disabled parking permits.

Delivery Information

Arrival - Loading Bay:

Any items delivered once Food Matters Live is on site from Monday, 22nd September, can be accepted directly at Ahoy Centre. These items will need to be taken to the relevant locations within the venue on arrival.

Mon 22nd, Tues 23rd, Wed 24th September

Build up 0800 - 1800, breakoutdown Wed 24th post event until 23.59

Partners are required to use the unloading and loading bays located at the freight elevators, Gate F or G, P6. Doors R15. These service lifts provide access to the hospitality suites and the kitchens.  

Ahoy Convention Center - Loading Bay

Deliveries PRE 22nd September:

Marketing materials and ambient ingredients delivered PRE MONDAY 22nd SEPTEMBER will need to use a 3rd party delivery service.

The Ahoy Convention Centre is unable to receive or store any other deliveries, pre- or post-event. Their third-party logistics and storage company that will be able to assist you with deliveries & storage, and also advise on any issues or queries regarding customs formalities. 

Partners are encouraged to contact DB Schenker directly.

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Fresh or frozen food items:

Only fresh and frozen items may be delivered direct to the Venue pre event - Ahoy Centre - no earlier than Friday, 19th September. These items must be clearly labelled with your company name and contact details. 

They can be addressed to:

Attention of: Leo Dommershuijsen - Gate F or G, P6. Doors R15

Rotterdam Ahoy, Ahoyweg 10, 3084 BA, Rotterdam

Venue Directions

Directions by Public transport, bike, car, and taxi can all be found here. 

Directions to Ahoy Convention Centre

Venue access

Hours Mon 22nd, Tues 23rd, Wed 24th September

Build-up: 08:00 a.m. till 06:00 p.m.

Breakdown: Wed 24th after the event till 23:59 hours

View map of how to get to the venue

Directions

Directions by Public transport, bike, car, and taxi can all be found here.

Directions to Ahoy Convention Centre

Train Tickets

Please note, a discount is offered on train tickets booked via the Ahoy website.

Book your tickets in advance

Hotels

Please find below a link that will take you to a choice of hotels at preferential rates.
These range from 3* to 5* and the nearest hotel is the Ibis, which is only a few minutes walk from the Ahoy. They are limited, and on a first-come, first-served basis. Please book these in advance as soon as you can.

Book your hotels in advance

Photography/Videography

Photographers and videographers from the Food Matters Live team will be attending the event and visiting your hospitality suite on the event day. We will be capturing photography and video footage to showcase your presence at the event, for use in a highlights content reel.

We would also welcome the opportunity to conduct a short interview to camera with a key spokesperson from your organisation, to incorporate as part of those highlights.

What to expect in the Food Matters Live Networking Hub

The Food Matters Live Networking Hub will be located on Level 3, and will be a meeting point for VIPs. This is where registration, tea and coffee breaks, lunch, and networking drinks take place. It is also the location of the NPD Discovery Zone.

Tastes of Better Hospitality Suites - What to expect

Kitchen & Hospitality Suites

As a partner with Food Matters Live, you will receive planning calls with our operations team to seamlessly guide you through the planning process. 

During your first planning call, you will receive a Kitchen and Hospitality Information Pack with a complete guide to everything operational, as well as all the important deadlines leading up to your event. 

View the kitchen information pack.

What will I receive in my dedicated suite as part of my package?

Here is the list of items included as part of your package in your Tastes of Better Suite.

•  Rectangular Congress Tables – 16 per room

•  Congress Chairs – as required

•  PA system and 1 handheld microphone

•  1 x Plasma screen

You will be able to discuss your specific requirements and room layout preferences during your planning calls with your dedicated Food Matters Live operations team. 

If you would like any alternative or additional furniture for your suite, you can use the venue’s preferred supplier: Verhuurbedrijf Zuid-Holland 

Download the order form. Once you have completed the form with the items you wish to hire, you can return it to your Food Matter Live Operations Team, who will place the order, arrange the delivery and collection to the venue, and ensure your items are delivered to your suite or kitchen area. These items will be on a recharge basis.

Floral

If you would like any floral and additional decor in your hospitality suite, you can contact the venue’s preferred suppliers to place those orders directly:

Van Der Maarel Event Styling

Bloemenland Rotterdam 

Myosotis Bloemen

AV

Your hospitality suite will have 1 x LED Screen, 1 x PA system, and 1 x handheld microphone included. Please note that a laptop is not included, but can be provided on a recharge basis. We are happy to discuss any additional AV requirements you may have.

Presentation slides

PPT slides will be required in a 16:9 format. We will discuss these in more detail with you in our first planning call.