Rijwiel- en Automobiel Industrie vereniging (Bicycle and Car Industry assocation). It was founded (by the bicycle and car companies) in 1893 (then just bicycles, in 1900 the car companies joined) to organise promotions and exhibitions for the bicycle and car industry. They built a large congress and exhibition hall in Amsterdam in 1922. In 1961 they moved to this spot.

The city of Amsterdam holds 25% of the conference centre, with the RAI association holding 75%. Such a conference centre is important for the city, so it is not unwise to hold a stake in such a venture.