Contract extension: European Congress of Radiology to remain in Vienna until 2035

“We are delighted that the European Congress of Radiology will be held at the Austria Center Vienna until 2035. The fact that a global congress has chosen to commit to us for such a long period is a truly strong sign of confidence. The ECR is our largest event, which this year alone brought 22,418 participants from 121 countries and more than 220 exhibitors to Vienna. It is a special highlight every year, as no other specialist congress combines scientific dialogue with technological progress as effectively as the ECR. In recognition of this, it was twice awarded the prestigious ‘Bea Event Award’ in 2025 at one of the world’s most important event festivals, ‘Bea World’, in the categories ‘Best Congress’ and ‘World’s Best Convention’. For us, the ECR is therefore a flagship congress par excellence, which, like us, stands for innovation and creativity. It makes me very happy and proud that we will continue on this successful path together in the future,” says Susanne Bauman-Söllner, Director of the Austria Center Vienna.

A clear commitment to the partnership between the ECR and the Austria Center Vienna

“Our long-standing collaboration with the Austria Center Vienna is based on mutual trust and a reliable partnership. The ECR has continued to evolve over the past decades and, every year, sets new standards for a modern meeting venue. We therefore particularly appreciate the Austria Center Vienna’s willingness to invest continuously in its infrastructure, to embrace new technologies and to implement innovative event concepts together with us. This openness to further development was a key reason for our decision to continue our successful partnership until 2035,” explains Peter Baierl, Executive Director of the European Society of Radiology.

European Congress of Radiology – one of the first and largest major congresses in Vienna

“The extension of the ECR contract until 2035 sends a strong signal for Vienna as a meeting destination. With around 20,000 participants annually, the congress ranks among the destination’s largest events and traditionally marks the start of the meeting year. As one of four congresses of this scale taking place this year, it provides a significant economic boost, secures jobs and generates added value, promotes the transfer of knowledge and strengthens Vienna’s position as a centre for science and business. Longterm contracts such as this one also ensure predictability and stability across the entire destination. We would like to thank the ECR and, in particular, Peter Baierl for their confidence in Vienna,” said Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board. The importance of the meeting sector for the destination is also demonstrated by the fact that the average meeting delegate in Vienna spends around 560 EUR. That is about a third more than a typical visitor to Vienna.

Radiology congress bolsters the financial position of the Austria Center Vienna

Furthermore, one in three international meeting delegates in Vienna attended a conference at the Austria Center Vienna. The signing of the contract for a further nine years not only brings strong international visibility for the venue, but also makes the ECR a stable source of revenue and visitor numbers. This reinforces the Austria Center Vienna’s role as an economic driver for the city and the province. “In 2025 alone, according to the EcoAustria study, we at the Austria Center Vienna generated a GDP impact of 445 million euros for the region, achieved a gross value added of 398 million euros for Austria, and secured or created 3,950 full-time jobs. The ECR also makes a significant contribution to this as one of our most important clients and a flagship congress at our venue,” emphasizes Baumann-Söllner.

Immersive meetings and the venue’s versatility – a unique synergy

The versatility of the meeting venue also plays a key role in enabling the European Congress of Radiology to stage its immersive event concepts – for which it is renowned – so flawlessly year after year. The Austria Center Vienna is increasingly focusing on modernization and digitalization. Level 0 in particular, along with the newly designed Level 2, offer around 500 m² of LED screen space, providing the ideal conditions for innovative event staging. The world-first polySTAGE, the venue’s digital screens and the flexible use of space at the Austria Center Vienna create the ideal conditions. “I am delighted that we can continue to work together to further develop immersive meeting experiences, digital productions and new participant concepts, thereby making this innovative potential available to even more clients,” emphasizes Baumann-Söllner.

About IAKW-AG and the ECR Congress

IAKW-AG (Internationales Amtssitz- und Konferenzzentrum Wien, Aktiengesellschaft) is responsible for the maintenance of the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and the operation of the Austria Center Vienna. With 21 halls, 134 meeting rooms and around 26,000 m² of exhibition space, the Austria Center Vienna is Austria’s largest convention centre and ranks among the leading players in the international meeting industry. Since 1991, it has been the venue for the annual European Congress of Radiology (ECR), which now attracts over 20,000 participants. It is organized by the European Society of Radiology (ESR) and is regarded as the largest European and second-largest international congress in the field of radiology. The next ECR Congress will take place from 3 to 7 March 2027 at the Austria Center Vienna under the theme ‘Healthcare Reimagined’.