The first bicycle trade show of the RI was held in 1895 at the Paleis voor Volksvlijt ("Palace of Industry") building in Amsterdam.

In 1900, the RI changed its name to RAI (Rijwiel en Automobiel Industrie) because many of its members had started manufacturing automobiles in addition to bicycles.

The RAI completed the construction of a 47 metres tall expansion named Elicium in 2009, serving as Europe’s largest conference center.

The RAI trade association still owns 75% of the complex, with the remainder in the hands of the municipality of Amsterdam.

Parts of the film Trafic (1971) by Jacques Tati were shot at the RAI during the 1970 car show.