After the takeover by the city of Vienna, the Messe Vienna is now fully starting internationally under the name “Viecon – Vienna Congress & Convention Center”. The new brand is part of a comprehensive marketing strategy in order to further expand the importance of Messe Vienna as the world’s sought -after venue.
Vienna’s City Councilor Peter Hanke was very pleased with the presentation of the new brand about the positive development of the conference business of the Messe Messe Wien: “Our economy benefits immensely that Vienna is one of the most popular international congress destinations. The Viecon brand makes an important contribution to maintaining and expanding this top position, ”says Hanke.
Congress as an economic engine
“The name” Messe Vienna “was less and less suitable for international use. Not only because of the linguistic barrier, but also because we are now making significantly more sales with congresses and conferences than with the trade fair business, ”explains Katharina Weishaupt, CEO of the Wiener Messe and Congress GmbH, the motivation behind the changeover. “As a ViECON, we are now much better able to present our offer internationally and successfully address the most important target markets. This is also shown by the positive response from our business partners on the new brand, ”adds Coo Martina Candillo, who is responsible for events, sales and business development in the company.
Congress guests are an important target group for the Viennese economy, since with an average of 550 euros per day they leave twice as much money in the city as leisure tourists. These income, among other things, has a positive effect on the Viennese gastronomy, hotel industry and the domestic service sector and ensure thousands of jobs with their additional added value.
Already secured over 350,000 overnight stays
For 2025, the Vienna Messe has already secured 45 events, including five large congresses. One of the highlights is the annual congress of the European Society for Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) in April this year, for which around 20,000 guests in Vienna are expected.
In addition to such congresses, the Vienna Messe is also a host of international company events such as the “Check Point CPX Event” (Cyber Security) or “Bio Europe”, the largest meeting of biopharma experts in Europe.
“The already fixed conferences at Messe Vienna alone ensure more than 350,000 overnight stays this year,” emphasizes Oliver Stribl, Managing Director of Vienna Holding, the economic importance: “Every euro that we invest here generates 15 euros added value. This shows how important the conference industry is for Vienna, ”says Stribl.