Name: Kickstart Europe
Start: 2027-02-16
End: 2027-02-17
Location: RAI Amsterdam

Event overview

Overview

Kickstart Europe 2027 is the premier European data center event, taking place on February 16 & 17, 2027, in Amsterdam.

It gathers industry leaders to discuss trends and investments in digital infrastructure.

TL;DR

1Dates and Venue: Kickstart Europe 2027 runs February 16-17 at RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.
2Scale and Focus: This premier event focuses on data centers, cloud, and connectivity, attracting industry leaders.
3Organiser: Hosted by Digital Gateway to Europe, more details available at kickstartconf.eu.
4Buyer Authority: Attendees include decision-makers from the data center and cloud sectors.
5Entry: Registration is required; visit the official site for details.

Why visit

Visitors gain insights into the latest trends in digital infrastructure, network with industry leaders, and explore investment opportunities. Dates and Venue: Kickstart Europe 2027 runs February 16-17 at RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands. Buyer Authority: Attendees include decision-makers from the data center and cloud sectors.

Why exhibit

Exhibitors can showcase their innovations, connect with potential clients, and enhance their visibility in the data center market. Scale and Focus: This premier event focuses on data centers, cloud, and connectivity, attracting industry leaders. Buyer Authority: Attendees include decision-makers from the data center and cloud sectors. Kickstart Europe is crucial for networking and knowledge sharing in the data center industry, highlighting emerging trends and technologies.

Attendees, exhibitors & solutions

Who this event is for

Visitor profile

Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.

Data center operators and facility managers

Cloud service providers and hyperscale platform teams

Telecommunications and connectivity network engineers

Colocation and digital infrastructure investors

IT infrastructure and network architects

Data center energy and cooling specialists

Government and regulatory digital policy representatives

Investment analysts covering technology and infrastructure

Construction and engineering contractors for data center builds

Enterprise IT procurement and sustainability leads

Exhibitor profile

Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.

Data center technology and infrastructure providers

Cloud service vendors and platform operators

Telecommunications and connectivity companies

Network and cabling equipment manufacturers

Power and energy suppliers and grid specialists

Cooling and energy-efficiency solution providers

Security and fire protection systems suppliers

Data center construction, engineering and build contractors

Investment firms and digital infrastructure funds

Sustainability and certification consultants

Product categories

Key solution areas showcased across the event.

Data center management software and DCIM tools - monitoring, automation and capacity planning for operator teams

Cloud infrastructure and hyperscale platforms - compute, storage and platform services for European workloads

Connectivity, fibre and network solutions - high-capacity links between data centers, clouds and users

Energy-efficient cooling systems - air, hybrid and liquid cooling for higher rack densities

Power distribution, UPS and grid solutions - resilient power delivery for mission-critical halls

Modular and prefabricated data center designs - fast-to-deploy capacity for edge and expansion sites

Network and physical security solutions - access control, monitoring and cyber resilience tooling

Fire protection and suppression systems - detection and suppression for critical infrastructure rooms

Data center construction and engineering services - design, build and commissioning partners

Monitoring, automation and controls - sensors and software for real-time facility operations

Sustainability and energy certification services - efficiency, heat reuse and renewable sourcing advice

Investment and financing for digital infrastructure - funds and advisors backing European capacity growth

Location & Facilities

Venue

Open in Google Maps

RAI Amsterdam

Europaplein 2-22, 1078 GZ Amsterdam, Netherlands

Attend

Entry & tickets

Who runs the show

Organisers

Digital Gateway to Europe

Email Call Website

How the last edition performed

Previous edition

Visitors

1,000

Impact

A bigger and stronger platform

Kickstart Europe 2027 is the premier European data center event, taking place on February 16 & 17, 2027, in Amsterdam. It gathers industry leaders to discuss trends and investments in digital infrastructure. Kickstart Europe is crucial for networking and knowledge sharing in the data center industry, highlighting emerging trends and technologies. Kickstart Europe 2027, held on February 16-17 in Amsterdam, is the leading conference for data center, cloud, and connectivity sectors.

Audience quality

High-value decision-makers

Visitors typically include Data center operators and managers, Cloud service providers, Telecommunications professionals, IT infrastructure specialists. Dates and Venue: Kickstart Europe 2027 runs February 16-17 at RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands. Scale and Focus: This premier event focuses on data centers, cloud, and connectivity, attracting industry leaders. Organiser: Hosted by Digital Gateway to Europe, more details available at kickstartconf.eu. Buyer Authority: Attendees include decision-makers from the data.

Exhibitor outcomes

Real business growth

Intelligence

Market context

Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.

Europe — Amsterdam, Netherlands (Benelux hub within the FLAP-D data centre markets of Frankfurt, London, Amsterdam and Paris)

Why it matters

For security integrators, consultants, and end-users, Kickstart Europe on 2027-02-16 to 2027-02-17 at RAI Amsterdam is the key Italian window to compare video, access, intrusion, fire, and cyber-physical platforms before year-end budgets close — co-located buyers use it to shortlist vendors for 2028 rollouts.

Industry trends

Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.

AI-driven capacity demand

AI and GPU workloads are pushing European data center operators to plan new capacity faster than in previous cycles.

Power and grid constraints

Power availability and grid connection timelines have become strategic variables for data center development.

Liquid cooling adoption

Rising rack densities are moving cooling from air-only designs to liquid and hybrid systems.

Sustainability and energy reporting

Regulators and customers increasingly expect documented progress on energy efficiency and renewable sourcing.

EU digital and cyber regulation

NIS2 and EU energy and data rules are raising compliance expectations for digital infrastructure operators.

European digital infrastructure circuit

Book hotels and meeting slots 8–12 weeks ahead; Amsterdam, London and Cannes venues fill quickly during conference weeks, and consecutive European shows are often scheduled in adjacent months.

Kickstart Europe opens the data centre and connectivity calendar in February, and most operators, hyperscalers and vendors plan it alongside the larger European infrastructure gatherings in spring and autumn to compare suppliers, power availability and pricing across markets.

Pre-show

Fix supplier and investor meetings, request the delegate list and schedule stand or roundtable slots for Kickstart Europe.

Show week

Keynote and track attendance on Day 1, partner exhibition walk-throughs and follow-up meetings on Day 2.

Post-show

Spring peer events such as Data Centre World London and CloudFest for deeper product evaluation and procurement follow-through.

Peer events are widely known sector gatherings; confirm exact dates and venues on each organiser website before booking.

Plan your trip

Travel & logistics

Local currency · EUR

Arrival airports

Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.

AMS

Amsterdam Schiphol

to venue

by car

Hotel tiers

A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.

tier

Europaboulevard, approximately 350 m walk from RAI Amsterdam

Not yet confirmed

Design hotel directly beside the venue and the most convenient base for both conference days; event-week rates rise and sell out earliest.

source

tier

Europaboulevard, approximately 800 m walk from RAI Amsterdam

Not yet confirmed

Full-service business hotel with meeting rooms and a large breakfast service, a 10-minute walk from the Europaplein entrance.

tier

Europaboulevard, approximately 1 km from RAI Amsterdam

Not yet confirmed

Budget-conscious design hotel with compact rooms; walk to the venue in about 12 minutes or take tram 4 one stop.

source

tier

Amstel, approximately 2.5 km from RAI Amsterdam

Not yet confirmed

Larger four-star hotel with parking and spa facilities; reach RAI Amsterdam in about 15 minutes by metro 52 to Europaplein or by taxi.

tier

Amstelstation district, approximately 2 km from RAI Amsterdam

Not yet confirmed

Good-value option near Amstelstation with direct metro and train connections to both RAI Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport.

source

Local transport

Get around the city with these convenient transport options.

train

Estimated costEUR 4.50–5.60 one way second class

Best forNS train: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol to Amsterdam RAI station

Roughly every 10 minutes and about 8 minutes in transit; Amsterdam RAI station exits directly beside the venue at Europaplein 24.

metro

Estimated costEUR 3.40 single 1-hour ticket; EUR 9.00 day ticket

Best forGVB metro 52 (Noord/Zuidlijn) to Europaplein station

Europaplein station sits beneath RAI Amsterdam; from Amsterdam Centraal the ride takes around 15 minutes with no change.

tram

Estimated costEUR 3.40 single 1-hour ticket

Best forGVB tram 4: Amsterdam Centraal to RAI/Europaplein

Surface-level option taking about 30 minutes from the city centre; pay with contactless bank card, OV-chipkaart or a GVB ticket.

taxi

Estimated costEUR 40–55 from Schiphol; EUR 15–25 from the city centre

Best forSchiphol Airport or Amsterdam city centre to RAI Amsterdam

15–25 minutes depending on A10 ring traffic; a licensed taxi rank serves Europaplein and both Uber and Bolt operate in the city.

parking

Estimated costAbout EUR 4.50 per hour, EUR 30–35 daily maximum; reduced P+R rates when continuing by public transport

Best forRAI Amsterdam car parks P1–P4 and P+R RAI

Pre-book online via the official RAI parking portal; garage access closes to new arrivals once event-day capacity is reached.

taxi

Estimated costEUR 40–90 taxi or rideshare to the venue district

Best forAmsterdam Schiphol (AMS) to RAI Amsterdam

15–20 minutes by car off-peak; 8 minutes by NS train to Amsterdam RAI station; Primary intercontinental gateway and the closest airport to the venue. NS trains run roughly every 10 minutes to Amsterdam RAI station beside the halls; taxis and ride-hailing pick up at Schiphol Plaza

Plan your trip

Visa & entry documents

Check the latest visa requirements and entry guidelines before travelling.

Visa not required

ATA Carnet: check with organiser

Type	Who needs it	Fee	Processing
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for business	Nationals of countries without a Schengen visa-waiver agreement travelling to the Netherlands for meetings, a conference or another business visit	$100.00	Typically decided within 15 calendar days; apply 4–6 weeks before travel to allow for appointments
Visa-free Schengen entry	Nationals of visa-waiver countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan and South Korea, for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period	Not yet confirmed	No visa application required

Nationals of Schengen visa-waiver countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and Japan may enter the Netherlands for business for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. Carry proof of the conference purpose and accommodation. Always verify your own nationality in the official Dutch government visa tool before booking travel.

ATA carnets are accepted for temporary import of professional equipment and exhibition goods entering the Netherlands; exhibitors shipping power, cooling or IT demo hardware should confirm the carnet with Dutch customs and their freight forwarder.

Official visa page

Weather

February is Amsterdam's coldest month and one of its wettest: daytime highs sit around 6–7 °C (43–45 °F), night lows fall to 1–2 °C (34–36 °F) with occasional frost, and around 11 days bring rain for a monthly total near 50 mm. Sunshine averages only about 3 hours a day, and wind off the IJ makes conditions feel colder on the walk between RAI Amsterdam halls. Pack warm layers, a windproof waterproof coat and shoes suitable for wet pavements, and plan indoor transfers between Europaplein, hotels and the venue.

Plan for the climate

Check temperatures and pack accordingly

Venue connectivity

KPN, VodafoneZiggo and Odido operate fast 5G networks across Amsterdam with strong coverage at RAI Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport and central hotels. EU and EEA visitors roam on their home plan at no extra cost, while non-EU visitors can buy a prepaid data SIM at Schiphol or from carrier shops in the city, or install an eSIM before departure. RAI Amsterdam provides free Wi-Fi in the conference halls and foyers, and nearly all RAI-area hotels include Wi-Fi in the room rate.

Ride-hailing

Taxis

Public transit

Car rentals

Cultural notes

Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.

Punctuality and directness

Dutch conference and business culture runs to the minute; sessions and meetings start on time, and questions during Q&A are direct and technical, so come prepared with specifics on capacity, power and pricing.

Greetings and dress

A handshake with eye contact and first names are standard across Amsterdam's data centre and tech community. Smart-casual business dress with a warm, weatherproof coat is the norm on February conference floors.

Tipping and payments

Service charges are included in Dutch bar and restaurant bills, so tipping is optional; rounding up or adding 5–10 percent is appreciated. Contactless cards and mobile wallets are accepted almost everywhere, including GVB and NS transit.

Practical guides

Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials

Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.

Flights

Destination: AMS

Fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS), the closest hub at 10 km from RAI Amsterdam with direct services from most European capitals, the UK, the US and the Gulf. Book 6–8 weeks ahead for the 16–17 February 2027 conference to secure lower fares and RAI-area hotel rooms, and plan to land on 15 February so you are rested for the 08:30 badge collection. Eindhoven (EIN) low-cost fares can be cheaper but add a 1 hour 30 minutes train leg, and Brussels (BRU) works well for delegates combining Kickstart Europe with Belgian or German meetings.

Visa

The Netherlands is part of the Schengen area. Many visitors, including United States, United Kingdom, Canadian, Australian and Japanese passport holders, can attend Kickstart Europe without a visa for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Other nationalities need a Schengen short-stay business visa, which may require an invitation letter from a Dutch business.

Estimated cost: Schengen short-stay visa fee is approximately EUR 90 (about USD 100) for adults. Visa-free nationalities pay nothing but still need a valid passport.

Processing: Schengen short-stay visas for the Netherlands are typically decided within 15 calendar days. Apply at least 4-6 weeks before the February 2027 event to allow for appointments and travel.

Apply through the official Dutch visa channels. Business visitors should carry an invitation letter, proof of the business purpose of economic interest to the Netherlands, travel and health insurance and confirmed accommodation.

Official

Hotels

Find a stay near the venue with options for every budget.

Check-in (recommended)

2027-02-15

Check-out (recommended)

2027-02-18

Areas to stay

Amstel, approximately 2.5 km from RAI Amsterdam · Amstelstation district, approximately 2 km from RAI Amsterdam · Europaboulevard, approximately 1 km from RAI Amsterdam · Europaboulevard, approximately 350 m walk from RAI Amsterdam · Europaboulevard, approximately 800 m walk from RAI Amsterdam

mid range

EUR 160-280/night

Book

mid range

EUR 140-240/night

mid range

EUR 100-170/night

Book

mid range

EUR 130-210/night

mid range

EUR 90-150/night

Book

Transport

Get to the venue and around the city with these options.

Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS). Allow road or rail time to RAI Amsterdam; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.

Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near RAI Amsterdam: Europaboulevard, approximately 350 m walk from RAI Amsterdam: nhow Amsterdam RAI; Europaboulevard, approximately 800 m walk from RAI Amsterdam: Novotel Amsterdam City; Europaboulevard, approximately 1 km from RAI Amsterdam: Motel One Amsterdam.

Ride-hail: Uber and Bolt both operate across Amsterdam, with pick-up points at Schiphol Plaza and around Europaplein beside RAI Amsterdam. Expect roughly EUR 40–55 for the 10 km run from Schiphol to RAI and EUR 15–25 from the city centre. Licensed taxis (TCA) queue at the RAI taxi rank on Europaplein, and all major apps accept card or in-app payment.

Public transit: GVB metro line 52 (Noord/Zuidlijn) stops at Europaplein directly beneath RAI Amsterdam, and tram 4 runs from Amsterdam Centraal to the RAI/Europaplein stop in about 30 minutes. NS trains link Schiphol Airport to Amsterdam RAI station in around 8 minutes, running every 10 minutes through the day. A GVB 1-hour ticket costs about EUR 3.40 and a day ticket EUR 9.00; contactless bank cards and OV-chipkaart work on GVB, NS and regional services.

Parking: RAI Amsterdam runs multi-storey car parks P1–P4 on site, with hourly rates of around EUR 4.50 and a daily maximum near EUR 30–35; pre-book through parkeren.rai.nl to secure event-week capacity. P+R RAI offers reduced daily rates for drivers who continue into the city by public transport. Arrive before 08:30 on both conference days as the Europaplein approach roads fill quickly.

Weather

Plan and pack for the event climate.

Month: February 2027

Temperature: Daytime highs of 6–7 °C (43–45 °F) and night lows of 1–2 °C (34–36 °F), with occasional frost and wind chill making it feel colder around RAI Amsterdam.

Seasonality: Amsterdam's wettest winter stretch: around 11 rainy days in February, roughly 50 mm of precipitation and only about 3 hours of sunshine per day, with frequent short showers and brisk wind off the IJ.

Packing: Pack warm layers, a waterproof jacket, an umbrella and comfortable walking shoes for cold, wet and changeable February weather in Amsterdam.

Plan your trip

Planning

Best day to visit: Day 1 — Tuesday 16 February 2027

Day 1 carries the opening keynotes, the European market outlook and the largest share of executive speakers, so it delivers the full strategic agenda in a single day. The partner exhibition, networking lunch and official evening reception all fall on Day 1, which is when most buyer-supplier conversations start. Attend Day 2 only if you have pre-booked roundtables, follow-up meetings or decision-maker slots.

Check passport validity and Schengen visa status for the Netherlands — Passport should be valid at least three months beyond departure; non-waiver nationalities need a short-stay business visa.

Book flights to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) — Aim to arrive on 15 February 2027 for the 16-17 February Kickstart Europe programme at RAI Amsterdam.

Reserve a hotel near RAI Amsterdam — Check in 15 February and check out 18 February; nhow Amsterdam RAI is about 360 m from the venue and Novotel Amsterdam City about 830 m.

Complete online registration and save your badge confirmation — Register via the official Kickstart Europe site at kickstartconf.eu and keep the confirmation with your travel documents.

Download the programme and shortlist sessions — Prioritise data center, cloud, connectivity and power/grid sessions that match your sourcing or investment goals.

Request B2B meetings with exhibitors and peers — Use the event networking platform to pre-schedule conversations with vendors such as cloud, cooling and connectivity suppliers.

Plan airport-to-venue transport — Trains run from Schiphol to Amsterdam RAI station; taxi or rideshare to Europaplein 24 takes roughly 20-25 minutes.

Arrange a local SIM or eSIM and load GVB transit routes — Buy a prepaid SIM or eSIM for the Netherlands and save GVB metro, tram and bus options to RAI Amsterdam.

Prepare business materials and meeting schedule — Print or download your meeting agenda, bring business cards and a charged device for lead exchange.

Pack for cold, wet February weather — Warm layers, waterproof jacket, umbrella and comfortable shoes; expect highs near 6 C and around 11 rainy days.

Confirm day-one arrival and badge collection — Arrive early on 16 February 2027 at RAI Amsterdam for badge collection, orientation and security screening.

Side trips

Haarlem

Zaanse Schans

Rotterdam

Networking spots

Kickstart Europe partner exhibition and networking foyer

Official Day 1 networking reception

Strandzuid

Budget

Costs & budget

Build your working budget

Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.

Number of nights

Estimated budget

Live estimate

Per diem × 2€150.00
Visa€100.00

Estimated total€250.00

This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.

Cost reference

Official cost items and estimated ranges for exhibitors.

visa_fee

visitor · Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for business

USD 100 / per application

official

Item	For	Tier	Estimated range	Status	As of
visa_fee	visitor	Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for business	USD 100 / per application	official

Decision

Visit, exhibit, or skip?

Should you go?

Pick the closest answer for each. Your recommendation updates live.

QUESTION 1 OF 6

What is your primary role?

Decision matrix

Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.

visit

Assess how this option fits your objectives.

Best for

Data center operators, cloud and connectivity buyers, investors and analysts who want two days of European digital infrastructure strategy and networking in Amsterdam.

Min. budget

$850.00

Timeline

4-6 weeks to book flights and a RAI-area hotel around mid-February 2027.

Risks

February is a busy Amsterdam event period, so hotels close to RAI Amsterdam book out early.

Non-Schengen visitors should allow at least 15 calendar days plus appointment time for a short-stay visa.

exhibit

Assess how this option fits your objectives.

Best for

Data center technology, power, cooling and connectivity vendors targeting European hyperscale, colocation and enterprise buyers at the start of the year.

Min. budget

$6,500.00

Timeline

3-4 months for stand design, freight, staff travel and marketing preparation.

Risks

Stand space and sponsorship allocation is limited at RAI Amsterdam and is assigned by the organiser.

Shipping power and cooling demo units into the Netherlands needs customs and freight lead time.

skip

Assess how this option fits your objectives.

Best for

Teams with no European data center sales or sourcing agenda who can follow the strategy themes through published Kickstart Europe recaps.

Min. budget

Not yet confirmed

Timeline

0 weeks.

Risks

Skipping means missing the early-year networking that anchors the European digital infrastructure calendar.

Gallery

Photos

Official imagery from Kickstart Europe

FAQs & glossary

Answers

Glossary

Data Center: A facility that houses servers, storage and network equipment together with the power, cooling and security systems that keep them running.
Colocation: Renting rack space, power and connectivity inside a third-party data center instead of building and operating your own.
Hyperscale: Very large, highly automated cloud data centers operated at massive scale by the biggest cloud and platform providers.
Edge Computing: Processing and storing data close to where it is generated, cutting latency and bandwidth use compared with sending everything to a central data center.
Digital Infrastructure: The combined data centers, fibre, subsea and terrestrial networks and cloud platforms that underpin digital services.
PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness): The ratio of total facility energy to the energy used only by IT equipment; the closer to 1.0, the more efficient the data center.
Connectivity: The fibre, terrestrial and subsea networks that link data centers, clouds and end users; a core theme of the Kickstart Europe programme.
Cloud Services: On-demand computing, storage and software delivered over the internet from remote data centers rather than on-site hardware.
NIS2: An EU directive that raises cybersecurity and resilience requirements for operators of critical infrastructure, including large data center and network providers.
Grid Capacity: The amount of electrical power a local network can supply; a key constraint shaping where new European data centers can be built.
B2B Matchmaking: Organised meeting programmes that connect exhibitors, investors and buyers for pre-scheduled business conversations during the event.

Trust footer

Sources

References

Publishers

Date checked

Digital Gateway to Europe

Kickstart Europe Official Website
Lang: EN
event_website

Digital business cards for the show floor

Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.

Create a free card

Exposeer je op this event?

Vul je zakelijke e-mail in om een gratis eerste Exclusive Spotlight te krijgen.

Ontdek Spotlights

Build your event team

Compare trusted stand builders, logistics teams and local event suppliers in one request.

Explore Vendor Marketplace

Ben je afgevaardigde of bezoeker op this event?

Habsy.ai helpt je badges te scannen, je digitale kaart te delen en elke connectie op de beursvloer te bewaren. Exclusieve premium tool ter waarde van $100.

Digital business cards for the show floor

Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.

Create a free card