Metstrade show director Irene Dros said she is stepping down after 18 years with the event to pursue new career opportunities.

Dros oversaw the event as it grew from 714 exhibitors in 2001 to 2,000 from 53 countries last year. There were 26,984 visitors from 122 countries at the 2019 show.

“Having worked for the world’s greatest trade show for almost two decades, the time has come for me to move from Metstrade to a new challenge,” Dros said in a statement.

“I am honored to have played my part in organizing this platform and I have enjoyed investing lots of energy into its growth,” said Dros. “With a visitor appreciation of 8.7 in 2019, I could not be prouder of what we have achieved, and I am now ready to focus on a new adventure.”

RAI Amsterdam is grateful for the work Dros has done, said Bas Dalm, executive vice president of exhibition and sales at RAI Amsterdam. “Her boundless energy, passion and dedication to the industry have really put Metstrade on the map. Irene established an amazing network and brought together stakeholders from across the globe. We wish her all the very best in the next stage of her career.”

Exhibition manager Sarah Westdijk will take over for Dros as RAI Amsterdam finds a successor. Junior exhibition manager Eline Heemstra will continue as the first point of contact for the trade associations.