Trade Shows » Country » Austria » Vienna

Business Overview
Vienna has significant banking, insurance and manufacturing, sectors. Some of the main products produced in Vienna include machinery, metal products, electrical equipment, chemicals, textiles, clothing, printed materials and paper. Forty percent of the city's surface area is dedicated to Vienna's agricultural sector, which produces enough vegetables to feed the city's population. Corporate conventions and congresses play an important role in Vienna's economy. According to the Vienna Tourist Board, this activity alone accounts for approximately 9 percent of overnight stays. With three congress centers, excellent infrastructure, experienced congress and travel agencies and interpreters, Vienna is one of the world's premier locations for international political and economic meetings and conferences. According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), Austria is consistently ranked among the top ten venues. ICCA statistics, published in 2000, Vienna ranked in fourth place behind London, Madrid and Paris.

Major Business Centers
Austria Center Vienna:
The Austria Center Vienna (ACV) is Austria's largest conference centre and host to a wide range of major international conferences, trade exhibitions, balls and events. The Austria Center Vienna is operated by Internationales Amtssitz- und Konferenzzentrum Wien, Aktiengesellschaft (IAKW-AG) which was jointly founded in 1971 by the Austrian Federal Government and Vienna City Council. IAKW-AG is an incorporated company which operates in accordance with normal commercial principles. The ACV is a leading player in the international conference industry and an important factor in the economic life of the Vienna Region. Over the years, conference tourism has become an important source of income to Vienna.

Hofburg Congress Center:
Located in the heart of Vienna, the historic Hofburg Congress Center transforms the city into a meeting place. The Habsburg’s former imperial residence is Europe's first address. The Hofburg Congress Center is located in the Hofburg complex in parts of the Alte Burg, the Neue Burg and the Leopold wing whose origins date back to the 13th century. This unique event location was the imperial residence for centuries and is today the first address for conferences and meetings, fairs and exhibitions, banquets, balls and concerts. In 2007 the Hofburg Congress Center recorded net revenue of about EUR 10m. Between 270 and 300 events are planned at the Hofburg in 2008. This year between 280,000 and 300,000 visitors from all over the world will visit the Hofburg Congress Center.

Messe Wien Exhibition and Congress Center:
The Messe Wien Exhibition and Congress Center, inaugurated at the start of 2004, offers sophisticated and versatile facilities. The halls, furnishings and equipment, and architecture assure maximum functionality and an ideal atmosphere. The Messe Wien consists of five separate buildings with different functions. All are close to each other and linked by covered walkways. The center has 46,000 sqm of gross exhibition space in three exhibition halls (Halls A, B and C), as well as Hall D — a 9,000 sqm multi-purpose facility which is also equipped for entertainment events.