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About a year ago it became public that… the largest trade fair organizer in Austria wants to leave the country. From next year onwards the Vienna Trade Fair operated by the city, as announced at a press conference on Monday.
The to Wien Holding belonging WSE Vienna Location Development GmbH will be the RX Wien GmbH take over.
Details of the agreement
- The city-owned company will be responsible for marketing and leasing the Vienna Trade Fair.
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Die Organization and event In the future, congresses and trade fairs will (as before) be carried out by specialized partner companies and licensees.
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All employees of RX Wien GmbH are to be taken on.
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As part of the agreement, the city has… Rights to the trademark “Messe Wien” as well as at the well-known public and trade fairs (holiday fair, Vienna real estate fair, living & interior, Intertool and Austropharm).
Further strengthen Vienna as a congress city
The Vienna Trade Fair is an important driver of our economy and contributes significantly to the international visibility of our city, explained the City Councilor for Economic Affairs Peter Hanke (SPÖ) took the step. “We are pleased to now have more leverage to further expand Vienna’s leading position as a conference and congress destination.”
Vienna is actually a popular congress destination: up to 400 national and international congresses take place in Vienna every year. This is an important economic factor: one in eight overnight guests comes to Vienna for a congress and spends twice as much as private tourists (around 541 euros).
Top positions in rankings
Vienna’s high reputation as a conference city is also reflected in its top international rankings: in the 2024 ICCA Congress Ranking, Vienna came in fourth place behind the metropolises Paris, Singapore and Lisbon, and in 2023 the city came in fourth in the UIA (Union International Associations) ranking Brussels even comes in second place.
The situation for RX Global was less rosy. After the pandemic, a significant recovery in the market was expected in 2022 and 2023, but this did not occur, the company explained its decision to leave Austria a year ago.
Die Company locations in Vienna and Salzburg According to reports, both suffered heavy losses. “Saying goodbye to Vienna was not easy for us,” said Ivo SklenitzkaManaging Director of RX Wien GmbH on Monday, was pleased that the change in ownership ensured the “greatest possible continuity”.
Further development in focus
The city now wants to focus on further development so that it “best meets the strategic goals of the city and the needs of our economy,” said Vienna Holding Director Oliver Stribl.
The takeover is expected to take effect around the turn of the year – provided that all the necessary resolutions and approval procedures, including a necessary review by the Federal Competition Authority, go according to plan.
What are the expected benefits of transitioning the Vienna Trade Fair to RX Wien GmbH for the local economy and business community?
1. World-Today News: Could you please introduce yourselves and your role in the Vienna Trade Fair’s transition to RX Wien GmbH?
Guest 1: Of course! My name is Peter Hanke, I’m the City Councilor for Economic Affairs in Vienna, and I’ve played a key role in negotiating this deal on behalf of the city.
Guest 2: And I’m Ivo Sklenitzka, Managing Director of RX Wien GmbH. It’s been my responsibility to oversee the smooth transition from Vienna Trade Fair to RX, ensuring that our operations continue to run smoothly and effectively.
2. World-Today News: What motivated you to enter into this agreement with RX Wien GmbH?
Guest 1: Vienna is a global hub for conferences and events, and we want to maintain that position. The Vienna Trade Fair is a crucial part of that ecosystem. By partnering with RX Wien GmbH, we have the opportunity to leverage their expertise and resources to further enhance our offerings and ensure that the Vienna Trade Fair remains competitive on the international stage.
Guest 2: For us, this agreement represents a chance to reinvent ourselves and rebuild after the challenges of the pandemic. The Vienna market has faced significant challenges in recent years, and we’ve had to make some tough decisions. However, we believe that this partnership will allow us to bounce back stronger than ever and continue to serve the city and its business community effectively.
3. World-Today News: What were the key considerations in deciding to transition the Vienna Trade Fair to RX Wien GmbH?
Guest 1: One of our main priorities was to ensure that employees and partners were taken care of throughout the process. We’re pleased that all employees are being retained, and we’re confident that our specialized partner companies and licensees will continue to provide high-quality services. Another important factor was the need to protect the long-term viability of the Vienna Trade Fair brand and its reputation as a world-class event destination.
Guest 2: From our perspective, the most important consideration was finding a partner who shared our vision for the future of the Vienna Trade Fair and who had the expertise and resources to help us realize that vision. We believe that RX brings a
