Among other things, a biotechnology meeting in autumn 2021 and an incentive trip with guests from China in spring 2022 were agreed.
Hardly any other industry is as badly affected by the corona crisis as the congress business in Vienna. Now a streak of light is emerging on the horizon. The Vienna Convention Bureau of Vienna Tourism announced the acquisition of the first congresses on Monday. Among other things, a biotechnology meeting in autumn 2021 and an incentive trip with guests from China in spring 2022 were agreed. Discussions with other interested parties are ongoing.
Well-known congress
According to Vienna Tourism, over 110 applications for national and international congresses and corporate events with up to 20,000 participants are in progress. They are to take place from the second half of the year – although some are already planned until 2030. It was said that the recent commitments for several major business events were particularly encouraging.
A well-known biotechnology congress will take place in October 2021: the European Forum for Industrial Biotechnology & the Bioeconomy (EFIB). It is scheduled as a “hybrid” event in the Vienna Austria Center. This means that video conferences are still a significant part of the event. Around 400 participants are expected.
According to Vienna Tourism, an incentive trip with 3,000 participants from China in spring 2022 promises a “strong return” of the long-distance markets that are important to Vienna. The cosmetics group Nu Skin Enterprises is inviting its 3,000 best salespeople on a four-day trip to Vienna. In an intensive acquisition process, Vienna prevailed against the rival cities of London, Barcelona, Amsterdam, Prague and Dubai, it was said.
Further development
From July 28 to 31, 2022, around 1,900 international guests are expected at the “World Social Entrepreneurs Marketplace”. The event for social entrepreneurship also takes place in the Austria Center.
City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke (SPÖ) was delighted: “Global exchange will continue to be an important engine for progress and economic development in the future. Vienna has for many years managed to become a successful business and science location and a CEE hub for international companies The further development of Vienna as a destination for congresses and company events therefore also plays a central role in our economic strategy 'Vienna 2030 – Economy & Innovation'. “
Drastic setback
Tourism director Norbert Kettner did not hide the fact that the pandemic meant a “drastic setback” for Vienna as a conference metropolis. The new commitments to congresses are therefore an important, because internationally perceivable, sign of resumption of the successful path: “It shows that Vienna has lost none of its attractiveness and is already taking the first concrete steps to convert the growing yearning for live experiences into opportunities As one of the most popular congress destinations in the world to date, the city has the best chance of starting from pole position even after the crisis. “
Before Corona, an average of around 5,000 conferences were held annually in Vienna. The added value for this is estimated by Vienna's tourism professionals at around 1 billion euros. In the long-term average, every eighth night spent in Vienna has so far been due to a meeting – i.e. a congress, a company conference or an incentive.
