2013Expatica's "i am not a tourist" Expat Fair hits record 10 years

Expatica's 10th "i am not a tourist" Expat Fair yesterday was a success with record exhibitors and lively salsa performances, stand-up comedy and numerous prize giveaways.

Expatica celebrated its milestone tenth anniversary of the "i am not a tourist" Expat Fair on Sunday 3 November, with a record 109 exhibitions alongside a colourful range of performances and prize giveaways and a lively crowd of diverse nationalities.
Expatica's "i am not a tourist" expat fair 
Held in the Beurs van Berlage in the heart of Amsterdam, a mixture of expat-focused service providers, international schools, social facilities, network groups and government organisations introduced several thousand visitors to a range of services that help expats settle and build their life in the Netherlands.

Expatica's "i am not a tourist" expat fair Visitors also had the opportunity to visit the Expatica stand and seek one-on-one help from experts on education, Dutch immigration law, job hunting and housing, in addition to the advice offered by professional exhibitors around the fair.

Chocolate, genever-tasting, and cheese workshops added a cultural touch to the mix, but it was the salsa dancing, stand-up comedy shows and raffle prizes held on the main stage throughout the day that livened the atmosphere.

Looking back on the fair's 10 years, the presentations and workshops have become an integral part of the "i am not a tourist" event. The first fair started with only 7 presentations, but on Sunday a total of 36 presentations instructed visitors on a diverse range of practical topics from learning Dutch to culturally-appropriate CVs and interviews, with additional feature presentations on blogging, Dutch culture, and expat identity.

Creating a fair with both instructive and interactive elements was the very idea that led Expatica's managing partner Antoine van Veldhuizen to create the first "i am not a tourist" Expat Fair in 2004.

"From the start, we wanted our Expat Fair to be an infotainment event, combining experts in expat services with a fun and informative programme. It is an emotional achievement for me to see this vision still evolving after so many years. It has come a long way," said Antoine.
Expatica's "i am not a tourist" expat fair 
One of Expatica's first "i am not a tourist" fairs

Expatica event manager Daniлlle de Groot said this year's fair had an even better balance of the technical and lifestyle aspects for building a new life in the Netherlands than previous years.

"This year, we saw an increased number of international food exhibitors and family services, while still retaining necessities like banking, employment and housing providers. Most important for us, however, was that it was a fun day with a lively vibe," said Daniлlle.

Looking back on 10 years 
Visitor numbers have doubled since the first "i am not a tourist" Expat Fair 10 years ago, with pre-registration numbers in 2013 representing an almost 400 percent increase over 2004 figures. What has not changed, however, is the incredible mix of nationalities that visit the fair and the support of exhibitors every year.
Expatica's "i am not a tourist" expat fair 
Expatica has continued to use the fair over 10 years as a way to reach out to the expat community in the Netherlands. 

"For the Expatica team, "i am not a tourist" is a great opportunity to meet our readers in real life," said Daniлlle de Groot. "It is an important way for us to strengthen the connection and get a feel for what our readers need and how we can contribute to their lives abroad."

The high quality of entrants for Expatica's Cute Kids photo award and expat blogging competition also reinforced the growing status of the event among the Netherlands' expat community. 
"I am not a tourist" blogging competition "I am not a tourist" bakfiet photo competition
Blog finalists / Cute Kids winner
Positive response
Exhibitors and particpants alike had positive responses to the fair.
"Congrats on another very successful event yesterday! Buzz was good, hope you too are all pleased!" -Deborah Valentine, ACCESS (exhibitor)
"The whole fair ran like clockwork and we had a great response to our service." -Hannah Ward, British Corner Shop (exhibitor)
"Mail and Female had such a wonderful time, positive feedback and overall a great experience. We appreciate your time and effort to make everything an success." -Lindsay van Clief, Mail and Female (exhibitor)
"Congratulations for yesterday, I must say for me it was the most interactive fair I've been to in the last three years since living in Amsterdam." -Bogdan Manta, Toastmasters (participant)
"Was a great event, thanks for your enthusiasm!" -Navbike Amsterdam (visitor)

About Expatica
Expatica Communications is a leading online provider of news and information for the international English-speaking expat community since 2000. Expatica.com receives an average 1.5 million hits each month.


Upcoming Expatica events:
International Job Fair: Spring and Fall 2014.
Expatica's International Job Fair, organised in close co-operation with Together Abroad, brings together a range of potential employers and recruiters to the one place to aid expats looking for international careers.

Expatica SpeedDate in Amsterdam: Saturday, 23 November
Looking for love? Interested in making new friends? Meet some of the most eligible internationals in Amsterdam - true love can be found abroad, too!