From June 30 to July 2, 2025, the conference laboratory Convention4U of the Austrian Convention Bureau gathered around 180 meeting professionals in the Congress Center Villach as a certified green meeting. Under the guideline “connecting. Waying. Transformative.” the association offered inspiring keynotes, interactive and practical sessions that combined participants, as well as an authentic-regional supporting program.
The meeting industry-an engine for the tourism of the future
At the start of the Convention4U, experts discussed: inside the importance of the conference and congress industry for Austrian tourism. The focus was on what contribution business meetings and congresses could make for year -round occupancy, for economic added value and for the exchange of knowledge within a region. The discussion round was top -class, including Ulrike Rauch-Keschmann (Tourism muscle in the Ministry of Economic Affairs), Astrid Stharnig-Staudinger (Austria advertising), FALK PASTNER (University of Vienna) as well ACB President Renate Androsch-Holzer and was by ORF journalist Let’s lang moderated.
ACB Vice President Anita paic (Leitung Vienna Bureau Convention) concrete: „The meeting industry is the 18th largest economic power – nevertheless, its effect is often underestimated. We look forward to the first Austria-wide value creation study, which will clearly show what remains-it is much more than a monetary effect.
“ Congresses contribute to year-round occupancy, innovation and knowledge promotion. “Wherever knowledge transfer and exchange is created, innovation happens – congresses are impulse providers for new solutions.” so FALK PASTNER (University of Vienna). At the same time Gerhard Stübe (ACB Past President, Management Culture Culture Bregenz) the importance of the connectivity of knowledge and data: “Only when we connect, transformation happens” And hit the bridge to the opening keynote of future researchers Harry Gatterer.
Keynotes provided central impulses to make the congress motto tangible
For future researchers Harry Gatterer Future does not start with trends, but with the inner attitude: “Trends are outside, the future happens inside“. His plea for more connectivity – i.e. connection to social, mental and social level – hit the nerve of the industry, which is very strength there: in exchange. Also in exchange. Also Viktoria Schnaderbeck emphasized the meaning of community: “I have to make a contribution – and I can make it.“For them, success is closely linked with a real connection in the team and a new understanding of leadership that people see as a whole.
Worthwhile – meaning and success again: With the Perma model of positive psychology, educator and psychotherapist Strolz brought a new perspective on success. It is not just about completing projects, but also about what feels worthwhile for people: meaningfulness, lived humanity and mutual appreciation. In the conference industry, these principles-applied correctly-can not only strengthen work culture, but also do burnout prevention. “”We need rooms in which humanity is not only possible, but desirable“, so Bertram Strolz.
Transformative – get to do about talking: The fact that change does not begin in the head but in action. Monika Herbstrith-Lappe in the center of her final keynote: “We often know what would be good – but the step of knowledge is missing“. Her message was an appeal to the industry to actively use serendipitarian opportunities – i.e. cheap coincidences – by staying prepared and open to new things. Especially in a dynamic world, such as that of the meeting industry, this transformative attitude is required.
Women in Congress Initiative as a milestone in the ACB history
With the “Women in Congress” program slot, the ACB set a clear sign of gender equality. „We want to help shape structures that work for everyone – women and men. And we stay tuned
“, ACB President terminated Androsch-Holzer in the launch of the ACB initiative and invites all “Women in Congress” from ACB member companies to the next online event on December 1st a.
Sustainable days with strong regional partners
The topic of sustainability was actively lived at the Convention4U: Green-Meeting standards in the environmental sign 62 found broad recognition and were primarily through this year’s location partner that Congress Center Villach (Green Meeting Licensee), supported. “”The entire organization of the Convention4U took into account the requirements for green meetings right from the start. When choosing the dish, we paid attention to seasonal dishes from the region to explore Villach at this year’s Gamification “Mission4U” and in the cooking workshop traditional Kasnudeln with the Carinthian seminar farmers “Krendeln”
so Marie Lechner (ACB Congress Management). “We are also pleased that the community – also many thanks to Harry Gatterer for the generous donation – together, together an amount of 2,900 ꞓ the child was able to hand over Carinthia.” Complement ACB Managing Director Michaela Schedlbauer-Zippusch pleased with the positive added value for the region. “Many thanks to the Austria advertisingthat was at our side as a strategic partner, ”Androsch-Holzer thanks again in the closing.
A very successful Icebreaker before the official congress start was that from the C4U partner, Core conventionionOrganized Get2gether in Pörtschach am Wörthersee, which for networking with well-known and new industry colleague: Inside in a breathtaking backdrop, including e-boat trip. The diversity of Carinthia was also shown in the Dinner4U in Schönleiten as a conference destination and there was a lot of discussions of the MeetingExpert: inside to regional delicacies.
More information about the Convention4U 2025 at: c4u.acb.at
Interested in the next ACB formats: ACB Knowstow, Women in Congress or the Convention4U 2026?
For detailed information: www.acb.at | office@acb.at