Key sectors & industries in Rotterdam
Rotterdam is Europe’s gateway and a hub for strategic sectors: Life Sciences and Health, IT, Tech, Energy to name a few. With leading institutions the city fuels collaboration and innovation, making it the ideal destination for sector-focused conferences and events.
Life sciences & Health
IT & Technology
Urban planning & Smart cities
Maritime & Offshore
Energy transition & Circular economy
Agri, Food & Horticulture
Life sciences & Health
Rotterdam is one of Europe’s strongest life sciences conferences and healthcare hubs, anchored by Erasmus Medical Center (Erasmus MC), a globally recognised leader in biotech, virology, and personalised medicine.
- Leading institution: Erasmus MC ranks among the top academic hospitals in Europe and drives medical research across disciplines.
- Scale of employment: The regional cluster employs around 93,000 people, making it one of Europe's largest pharmaceutical hubs.
- Medical Delta: This cross-institution partnership is the largest life sciences cluster in the Netherlands.
- Innovation driver: Initiatives like the Convergence alliance bring together Erasmus University, TU Delft, and Erasmus MC to accelerate breakthroughs.
IT & Tech
Recognised as an emerging tech hub, Rotterdam offers fertile ground for IT, AI, and cybersecurity conferences.
- Cybersecurity leadership: The Rotterdam–The Hague metropolitan region is developing into Europe’s main cybersecurity hub, projected to employ 30,000 professionals by 2025.
- Data & AI expertise: The Erasmus Center for Data Analytics (ECDA) is Erasmus University’s flagship centre, advancing cross-disciplinary insight on the societal impact of AI, digitalisation, and immersive technologies.
- AI innovation: Mondai | House of AI at TU Delft connects research, education, business, and society, strengthening the greater Rotterdam region’s role as a driver of AI development.
- Quantum breakthroughs: Europe’s largest and smartest port is also a testbed for innovation. The Port of Rotterdam is home to the world’s first scalable quantum internet connection, developed through the Quantum Delta NL programme.
- Smart health technologies: The Smart Health Tech Centre (SHTC) at Erasmus MC develops and validates cutting-edge technologies for healthcare, from robotics to AI-driven monitoring systems.
Urban planning & Smart cities
Rotterdam is a global frontrunner in urban planning and smart city design, known for turning challenges like sea-level rise into opportunities. As one of Europe’s leading cities of the future, it offers unique expertise for urban planning conferences, smart city conferences, and infrastructure events.
- Climate-adaptive design: Floating homes, offices, and farms pioneered in Rotterdam’s delta environment.
- Mobility focus: Compact, bike-friendly, and connected, a model for mobility hubs worldwide.
- Knowledge collaboration: Erasmus University, TU Delft, and Erasmus MC drive innovation in inclusive and resilient city design.
Maritime & Logistics
As Europe’s premier port city, home to the continent’s largest and smartest port. Ranking in the world’s top 15 for container throughput, it’s a strategic location for logistics conferences and maritime conferences.
- Economic powerhouse: The port contributes €6.8 billion annually to the Dutch economy and is a major regional employer.
- Innovation hub: Rotterdam is developing the world’s first autonomous harbor and leading in digital port operations.
- Future resilience: The port is also advancing sustainable shipping, offshore energy, and strong cybersecurity strategies.
Energy transition & Circular economy
Rotterdam is pioneering solutions in renewable energy and circular economy practices. The city is committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050.
- Port of Rotterdam: Europe’s largest port is investing in green hydrogen, offshore wind, and clean fuels, while reducing reliance on fossil energy.
- Circular initiatives: From fossil-free venues like Ahoy Rotterdam to sustainable transport options, various practices are embedded in daily operations.
- Policy goals: By 2030, the city aims to halve fossil and mineral resource use, becoming fully circular by 2050.
"Rotterdam is setting the standard for the energy transition in Europe and is the perfect location to convene progressively-minded leaders from across the full energy ecosystem as we shape the future of energy."
- Dr Angela Wilkinson, Secretary General and CEO World Energy Council
Agri, Food & Horticulture
Rotterdam and the surrounding green belt region are global leaders in agri-food and horticulture, making the city a hotspot for food tech conferences and agriculture conferences.
- Gateway to the world: The Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest agri-food import and export hub, connecting global supply chains and driving innovation in food logistics and cold storage.
- Greenhouse innovation: The Westland region pioneers sustainable greenhouse technology and agri-tech innovation.
- Agri-tech research & education: Institutions such as the Food Innovation Academy and partnerships with Wageningen University & Research, the region advances precision agriculture, biotech, and sustainable food systems.
- Floating Farm: Rotterdam is home to the world’s first floating farm, symbolizing resilience and innovation.
