ECR 2026: Radiology as an immersive experience at the Austria Centre Vienna

With 22,418 participants from 121 countries and more than 220 exhibitors, ECR once again affirmed its role as an international hub for the radiology community. The congress combined scientific dialogue with technological progress and – as it has for many years – generated a measurable economic impact for Vienna, from hospitality and mobility to the city’s international visibility.

Visual immersion: when knowledge sharing becomes a spatial experience

ECR 2026 demonstrated how knowledge exchange and networking work at an international congress today: through outstanding, cinematic-quality content that turns learning into a multisensory experience, making it even more impactful. In addition, the congress motto “Rays of Knowledge” was brought to life throughout the building and designed as a continuous experience.

“ECR 2026 surpassed itself once again in its overall staging. Arriving at the congress often feels like stepping into a world of its own,” says Susanne Baumann‑Söllner, Director of the Austria Center Vienna. “What convinces international guests is the on-site experience. The more compelling it is, the higher the attendance – benefiting not only the congress itself, but Vienna as a business and scientific location.”

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From the opening show to the plenary lecture: staging at all levels

The architecture of the Austria Center Vienna – with its five interconnected levels, flexible halls and rooms – provided the foundation for this staging and enabled an immersive visitor journey throughout the congress. The result was a series of flowing thematic areas in which exhibition spaces, networking zones and scientific content seamlessly blended into a cohesive experiential landscape.

Right from the start, the congress set a strong tone: the spectacular Opening Ceremony “LIGHT” delivered an unforgettable experience with live performances by internationally renowned artists and brought the congress motto to life visually and dramaturgically, while the Plenary Lectures showcased cutting‑edge scientific research on a grand stage.

A central element of the spatial dramaturgy was the polySTAGE in the entrance hall. Its 52 LED panels, along with numerous additional LED surfaces, served as a striking visual anchor point and shaped the staging in the congress’s central arrival area.

ECR made full use of the possibilities offered by the Austria Center Vienna: with precise content choreography and tailored technical setups, programme, wayfinding and live moments were woven into one consistent, immersive congress experience.