November 2009


Vienna, 24 September 09 — The Austria Center Vienna is reporting excellent results for the first half of 2009, with the outlook bright for the rest of the year. Over 100,000 visitors — around 40% of them from abroad — converged on the ACV in the first half of the year. These visits accounted for about 220,000 overnight stays in the Austrian capital. A line-up of leading international conferences and countless other events throughout the autumn will add yet another chapter to the ongoing ACV success story.

The series gets underway with the ECOC optical technology conference and exhibition with about 2,500 delegates. This new, large-scale technology event occupying all the exhibition halls opened four days ago and will end today. Big-name experts from a total of 40 countries on five continents will attend the European Network for Accessible Tourism (ENAT) congress between 30 September and 1 October. The event will focus on the latest accessible tourism trends and developments.

The Electrochemical Society (ECS) meeting from 4–9 October is a special event. This North American meeting opted to come to Vienna despite the difficult economic climate at home, bringing 1,700 delegates to the ACV. From 11–14 October the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) meets at the ACV for a medical conference with about 4,000 delegates.

A similar number of participants is expected in Vienna for the Annual Meeting of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS). The event is held in a different city each year, with the Austrian capital chosen for 2009. Legal eagles from all over the world will be at the ACV from 12–14 November for the 2009 World Justice Forum.

“Now that the building upgrade programme has been completed we can offer customers even more exhibition space, a much improved visual environment and ultra-modern conferencing equipment. This quality drive has been exceptionally well received by the market. The fact that we have landed a number of interesting new events and will be welcoming numerous returning events in the autumn shows that we are one of the leading locations for international conferences,” explains ACV CEO Thomas Rupperti.

Trade and consumer fairs

In addition to a number of meetings and conferences of international organisations, the Austria Center Vienna will provide the venue for several Austrian trade and consumer fairs this autumn. Amuse Bouche sets the ball rolling at the end of September. Eckart Witzigmann has given his high-profile backing to this unique apprentice training scheme, which is staged by leading hoteliers in eastern Austria. The event comes to a head with a cookery competition. Austria’s future culinary ambassadors will showcase their talents at the high-octane final at the ACV on 29 September.

The ACV will open its doors to the next generation of high flyers once again just a few days later for Startmesse 2009, Austria's leading national fair for apprentices and trainees. The event, held on 9,500 sqm, lifts the lid on a broad range of careers, and provides application tips, talent checks and much more. Around 30,000 young people are expected to attend this forward-looking recruitment fair. The world of work is also at the heart of Career Calling 2009, Austria’s largest career fair for undergraduates, graduates and young professionals. The joint event by the Vienna University of Economics and Business (WU), Vienna Technical University (TU) and the University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU) will take place at the ACV on 5 November.

The next generation of musicians are in the spotlight at the Kiddy Contest Finale 2009 on 31 October — this glittering event aimed at up-and-coming vocal stars will be held in front of an audience at the ACV for the first time in its 15-year history. Around 4,000 fans of all ages are expected. From 20–22 November the Austrian Games Festival will draw about 70,000 visitors.

United Nations Women’s Guild Charity Bazaar

The United Nations Women’s Guild Charity Bazaar on 28 November is devoted to helping children in need. This charity event attracts numerous high-profile guests. Held under the banner of Joining Hands to Help Children, it has been a regular fixture at the ACV for many years.

“The broad range of events at the ACV clearly demonstrates that our capacity and service portfolio are well-aligned to our customers' requirements,” says Thomas Rupperti. The ACV Board of Management is looking forward to a golden autumn for conferences ahead, and is pleased to announce strong bookings for Austria’s largest conference centre in 2010.

About the ACV

The Austria Center Vienna (ACV) is Austria’s largest conference centre, with a current 22,000sqm of exhibition space, it is one of the top players on the international conference circuit. Opened in 1987, following comprehensive modernisation the ACV now has 17 halls on four levels with a total seating capacity of 10,200. The halls boast state-of-the-art conference equipment, capacity ranges from 100 to 4,200 people. Movable partition walls provide a high degree of flexibility. In-house caterers Eurest provide first rate service. The venue has excellent transport links thanks to the Donauinsel/Vienna International Center station on the U1 underground line and the nearby Danube embankment motorway. The ACV is operated by IAKW AG headed by CEO Thomas Rupperti.

Web: www.acv.at

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Contact

Barbara Ranzenhofer
Media & Public Relations
Austria Center Vienna, IAKW AG
Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1
A-1220 Vienna
Tel: +43 (0)1 260 69 2316
E-mail: barbara.ranzenhofer@acv.at

Dr. Neureiter-PR
Tel: + 43 1 924 60 87
E-mail: agentur@neureiter.at