Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
"And we see that people are increasingly open about their visit to our festival," says Mark Laurenz. Together with his wife, former porn actress and glamour model Bobbi Eden, he has been co-organising the event, which attracted more than 20,000 visitors to Jaarbeurs in late October, since the beginning of this year. "Our target group? Well, it is so broad. From students to over-70s, from couples to groups of friends and singles, we see all kinds of things. People often don't really know what to expect and are then very enthusiastic afterwards. Even if they might have gone in smiling at first: they go out the door again with a smile."
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
"It's a day out that you can make as exciting as you want"
For four days, the Jaarbeurs exhibition and conference centre will be the walhalla for erotic lovers. Stalls with erotic toys, performances by strippers, meet & greets with porn stars, live shows and an erotic maze, there is something for everyone. Mark: "It's a day out that you can make as exciting as you want. We offer a lot in terms of fashion, styling and make-up, for example. Others seek a little more challenge or come for the party on Friday and Saturday nights. That's when the Roxy revives a bit, it's see and be seen, super fun. I really thought the party on Friday night was a highlight. There is never a fight here."
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
The KamaSutrA has a loyal audience, but the challenge remains to keep them interested too. "Partly you want to offer a familiar programme, but it should not become boring, people should also be surprised again. We do that with new exhibitors and, for example, with great performances on the main stage. A stripper combined with fire-eaters and acrobatics, it can be real spectacle."
Also new this year is the collaboration with OnlyFans, the payment platform where sex workers and other content creators can offer erotic and pornographic material, among other things. "Young people in particular really enjoy visiting our special OnlyFans area with influencers. Taking a picture with your idol, browsing through merchandise, it was a vibrant corner of the event." Among young people, the fair organisers also see other needs.
"Young people dare to ask more at the booths. Whereas people used to sneak a peek, pay quickly and quickly put a product in their bag, you now see people simply asking: 'How does this device work?' This in turn places new demands on the staff at our stands, who have to be able to explain this well."
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
"I have done many events in my life and I always find the communication with Jaarbeurs very smooth."
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
Mark and Bobbi are very happy working with the Jaarbeurs team. "I have done many events in my life and I always find the communication with Jaarbeurs very smooth. Our contacts are always there for us. In addition, Jaarbeurs as a venue is also a household name, centrally located, railway station nearby, easy parking, it all looks neat. I can't really think of any points of criticism. Even during all the construction work that is going on now, the set-up and take-down as well as the flow of the audience went smoothly."
The short lines of communication proved useful at the previous edition in April. Back then, a construction crane at the building site next to the Jaarbeurs threatened to blow over in a storm and the partly scantily clad audience had to be evacuated. "Even then, the cooperation ran like clockwork. Together, we were able, as soon as the fire brigade said we could, to make it very quickly clear to visitors for the next day that we would reopen as normal."
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
Preparations for the anniversary edition, starting 21 March 2024, are now in full swing. Twenty-five years will be the erotic event's anniversary then. "We have great plans, so keep an eye on our site I would say," says Mark. Shortly after the KamaSutrA, Mark and Bobbi were in Utrecht for a while, by the way. "We love the contrast, Bobbi also gave workshops at the Kreadoe fair in early November. A completely different audience, but just as cosy!" Crocheting with Bobbi has been a well-attended workshop at the Benelux's biggest DIY event for a few years now.
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
Key account manager Jannemarije
Do you have a cool idea for an event or trade fair? And are you looking for a great centrally located event location for this? In our exhibition and conference centre, we have the space and passion for your event in Utrecht.
Get in touch with me. I will be happy to tell you more about all the possibilities at our event location in Utrecht.
ejaarbeursbeurs.nl +31(0)30 295 58 81
Who has never been to Royal Jaarbeurs? From a dance event to Dutch Health Week, from participating in a sustainability congress to visiting a trade fair for dog and cat lovers: everyone has had a reason to visit. Yet there is an event that captures the imagination of many, but which you might not immediately dare to say you have been to. An experience for homebodies and birds of paradise: the KamaSutrA, the Netherlands' largest erotica fair. With interruptions, a household name in Utrecht for almost 25 years.
