Messe Wien takes off internationally as VIECON

Vienna, January 29, 2025 – Following the takeover by the City of Vienna, Messe Wien is now taking off internationally under the name “VIECON – Vienna Congress & Convention Center”. The new brand is part of a comprehensive marketing strategy to further expand the importance of Messe Wien as a globally sought-after event venue.
At the presentation of the new brand, Vienna’s City Councillor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke expressed his delight at the positive development of Messe Wien’s conference business: “Our economy benefits immensely from the fact that Vienna is one of the most popular international congress destinations. The VIECON brand makes an important contribution to maintaining and further expanding this leading position,” said Hanke.

Congresses as an economic driver

“The name ‘Messe Wien’ has always been less suitable for international use. Not only because of the language barrier, but also because we now generate significantly more turnover with congresses and conferences than with the trade fair business,” says Katharina Weishaupt, Managing Director of Wiener Messe und Congress GmbH, explaining the reasons behind the change. “As VIECON, we are now in a much better position to present our offering internationally and successfully address the most important target markets. This is also demonstrated by the positive response from our business partners to the new brand,” adds Managing Director Martina Candillo, who is responsible for events, sales and business development at the company.

Congress guests are an important target group for Vienna’s economy, as they spend an average of EUR 550 per day, twice as much money in the city as leisure tourists. This income has a positive impact on Vienna’s gastronomy, hotel industry and the domestic service sector, among others, and secures thousands of jobs with its additional added value.

Over 350,000 overnight stays already secured

Messe Wien has already secured 45 events for 2025, including five major congresses. One of the highlights is the annual congress of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) in April this year, for which around 20,000 guests are expected in Vienna.
In addition to such congresses, Messe Wien also hosts international corporate events such as the “Check Point CPX Event” (cyber security) and “Bio Europe”, the largest gathering of biopharma experts in Europe.
“The conferences already booked at Messe Wien alone will generate more than 350,000 overnight stays this year,” says Oliver Stribl, Managing Director of Wien Holding, emphasizing the economic significance: ”Every euro we invest here generates 15 euros in added value. This shows how important the conference industry is for Vienna,” says Stribl.

Photo credit (c) David Bohmann

Caption: VIECON Managing Director Katharina Weishaupt, City Councillor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke, Wien Holding Managing Director Oliver Stribl, VIECON Managing Director Martina Candillo

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Queries & contact:

For Wiener Messe und Congress GmbH:

Kathrin Kremser, Head of Communication & Marketing

E: kathrin.kremser@mbg.at

M: +43 676 82323114

 

For WSE Wiener Standortentwicklung GmbH:

Stefan A. Sengl, Skills | Team Farner

E: stefan.sengl@skills.at

M: +43 664 3104409

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