European Hotel M.I.C.E Directory. Die besten Hotels in Europa. Les meilleurs hôtels d'Europe. Los mejores hoteles de Europa. I migliori hotel in Europa includes recommanded Hotels, Tourist and Business Informations

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions

European Hotel M.I.C.E Directory. Die besten Hotels in Europa. Les meilleurs hôtels d'Europe. Los mejores hoteles de Europa. I migliori hotel in Europa includes recommanded Hotels, Tourist and Business Informations

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European Hotel M.I.C.E Directory
Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions

What is Meeting Planning / M.I.C.E?

Meeting planning is a sub-sector of corporate event planning, however it often gets grouped together under the acronym M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions), which brings together a number of industry sub-sectors where the types of events are complimentary, share similarities, or are planned by the same type of event planners. Let's first examine meetings in isolation, then I'll move on to explain how this connects to the M.I.C.E sub-sector.

1. Meetings & Conferences

Meetings are just one type of corporate event— along with corporate hospitality, client entertaining, and the many different types of employee events such as incentive travel, team building / motivational events, holiday parties, and charity fundraising days. For more information on these see Corporate Event Planning.

Meetings can be used for any number of reasons and the purpose will vary from company to company. They might be used to educate and train people, to launch a new product, to discuss business strategy, to share information and expertise, or to sell something. Whatever the purpose, meetings make up the largest component of corporate event planning.

Meetings can adopt many different formats, with different types of content, and the number of attendees can be anything from 50 to several hundred—or even thousands.

These events can be either internal; meaning the attendees are all employees of the company, or external; where people from outside of the organization attend, such as clients or other organizations within the same industry.

Lincoln Dealer's meeting

Photo: Lincoln Dealer Experience by George P. Johnson

It's worth point out that in many countries the term 'meeting' is often used interchangeably with 'conference', and as such 'meeting planners' are sometimes just referred to as 'corporate event planners' or even 'conference organizers' or 'conference & exhibition organizers'.

2. Meeting Planning

When most people think of meeting planning, they imagine corporations having their annual general meetings (AGM’s)—where shareholders can put questions to the board of directors. Or they think of large law firms holding a global partners meeting, where they get together to discuss the development, strategy, and future direction of the business.

What often comes to mind is a dry old corporate event, in a hotel conference center, with a bunch of suited and booted speakers giving deathly boring PowerPoint presentations, before everyone breaks for a rubbery-chicken buffet lunch in a dreary function room

.

Meetings still have to be appealing

Now, while plenty of meetings are like that, the reality of meeting planning is that it often involves putting together an entire program of events and hospitality, including entertaining content, new technology, travel & accommodation, headline acts and other entertainment, activities, excursions, famous guest speakers, corporate gifts, drinks receptions, gala dinners, and award ceremonies.

Actor Will Smith presents at Walmart's Global Shareholders Meeting

Photo: Actor Will Smith presents at Walmart's Global Shareholders Meeting by Jack Morton Worldwide

Meetings are often held in interesting locations away from the company's usual place of business, or even overseas—sometimes in luxury beach and ski resorts. They can also be rather elaborate affairs. Walmart’s global shareholders meeting for 16,000 people was hosted by Hollywood actor Will Smith and featured a performance from The Black Eyed Peas. Similarly, Google’s Zeitgeist conference has included speakers such as President Bill Clinton and TV & film producer JJ Abrams (Star Trek, Star Wars The Force Awakens), and attendees were given the opportunity to experience zero gravity ‘flights’ that mimic the weightlessness of space.

These types of meetings aren't solely the reserve of big, innovative tech brands. Whether it's the pharmaceutical, oil and gas, or motoring industry, corporates often plan meetings that have a pretty good balance between the business events—a conference or presentation for example—and the hospitality program built around it to entertain the guests.

I've worked on a number of corporate meetings in luxury ski resorts and, in addition to a three or four day conference, there was always a program of events including things like skiing (and nightskiing by torch light), firework displays, sleigh rides across a frozen lake, helicopter, hot air balloon, and train rides through the mountains, Swiss chocolate tasting workshops, dog sledging, tobogganing, restaurant dine-arounds, and numerous drinks receptions, dinners, and wine tastings—each in a different interesting location or venue, including a private members-only lodge at the top of a mountain.

Just because it's called a meeting, doesn't mean it's just about conference packs, clipboards, and PowerPoint presentations

The Black Eyed Peas perform at Walmart's Global Shareholders Meeting

Photo: The Black Eyed Peas perform at Walmart's Global Shareholders Meeting by Jack Morton Worldwide

3. Different Types of Meetings

The term 'meeting' is a very broad term used to describe all manner of different sized events with different formats—as detailed in the list below.

However, keep in mind that the formats below only refer to the business components of a meeting. As I explained above, in meeting planning, there are typically many other factors that might make up the overall program of events. So while the business part of the event might be a conference, this could be followed by an afternoon of leisure activities, followed by an evening black-tie gala dinner and awards ceremony.

Similarly, a meeting might consist of more than one of the formats below. For example, a four day meeting might include a conference, a series of different workshops, lectures, and seminars.

Cisco Live stage and screens

Photo: Cisco Live by George P. Johnson

When people refer to a corporate 'meeting', this might include:

Lectures

Which consist of a single presentation, although the number of attendees could still be in the hundreds or thousands. Lectures are usually educational in nature and last for a session i.e. a morning, afternoon, evening, or less.

Seminars

Which are also educational in nature and bring together several participants, usually involving more than one presentation. These typically last for one day or less.

Workshops

Which are more of a hands-on experience for the attendees and might include demonstrations, activities, and collaborations. These typically last for a day or less or are part of a larger event, such as a conference.

Conferences

Which are meetings where people from a company or industry get together to discuss a particular topic, exchange views, fact find, problem-solve, or open up an issue for debate. These usually run for at least one day, often more, and can range in size from small groups under 100 to several hundred or even a few thousand.

Conferences typically feature keynote speakers giving talks and presentations and may also include ‘break-out’ sessions; smaller meetings, talks, or one-on-one sessions programmed around the main conference. In the context of meetings and corporate event planning, conferences are generally hosted by a particular company and are aimed at an invited group of either external clients, suppliers, dealers and/or associates or, alternatively, internal employees / partners.

These can either be ‘stand-alone’ events or the main business component of a corporate meeting—along with a program of other activities and hospitality events. Corporate conferences are typically free for the invited guests to attend, or heavily subsidized by the host company. The events are held for marketing and communications purposes, rather than for the host company to make money directly from the event.

Another type of conference also exists, sometimes informally referred to as a ‘commercial conference’, which is marketed to a broader audience of companies within a specific industry. The companies that attend are not necessarily directly related to, or in business with, the host company. These are generally for-profit events, where attendees purchase tickets and pay for their own travel and accommodation—or else they might be included in a package price. These conferences can either be ‘stand-alone’ events or combined with a convention, exhibition, or trade show.

We’ll look at these in more detail in the section on Conventions and Conferences.

Congress

Which are much larger, usually regular, meetings that represent a profession or other group, where decisions are made through discussion, debate, and voting. These usually last more than one day and can consist of hundreds or thousands of attendees. A congress might also include a conference and/or exhibition.

Conventions, Trade Shows, and Exhibitions

Which are large events where like-minded people, often from a particular industry or other group, get together to learn and network. Often these feature manned stands/booths in a large exhibition hall and may also include other components, such as conferences, workshops, and seminars.

Technically, a meeting is defined as having no exhibit component according to the Convention Industry Council. Therefore, a meeting which includes an exhibition would really be a convention. However, in reality it just comes down to how the event hosts choose to name/position their event. So, sometimes you'll come across an event that's billed as a meeting but also has some form of exhibition.

Although these types of events are often grouped together along with meeting planning, they also make up an entire sub-section of the events industry so we’ll look at this sector in more detail in the Conventions and Conferences, which also includes Trade Shows and Exhibitions.

M.I.C.E

As I mentioned previously, although meetings are one type of corporate event, they often get grouped together under the acronym M.I.C.E (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) which brings together a number of industry subsectors.

This is largely because of the similarities and over-lapping nature of these four types of events. In fact, not only are these events complimentary to one another, they are often planned by the same type of event planners—commonly known as meeting planners.

Meetings & Incentives

Meetings that take place in out of town locations or overseas, which involve a program of events and activities, travel, and accommodation, are often very similar in format and structure to incentive travel programs (which I'll look at in more detail in the Incentive Travel sector of the industry, which also includes Destination Management).

Corporate meeting evening dinner event

Photo: Corporate meeting evening dinner event by ACCESS Destination Services

The main difference is the purpose of the event; meetings are typically to educate, train, discuss, share, or sell, while incentive travel programs are generally to reward. As such, there are a greater number of fun / social events, activities, and excursions, and less—if any—business meetings or formal presentations involved in incentive travel programs.

Certainly from a meeting planner's perspective, there is not a whole lot of difference between what goes into organizing an incentive travel program versus a meeting. This is why a lot of meeting planners work on both corporate meetings and incentive travel programs.

Conferences & Exhibitions

Similarly, some meetings and conferences will include a trade show or exhibition—or vice versa (which technically makes them a convention). Therefore, a meeting or event planner who works in this sector will often be experienced in—and responsible for organizing—both types of events. In fact, in many countries outside of the USA, these types of meetings planners are often referred to as 'conference & exhibition organizers'.

Austria:

Austria Center Vienna

Grazer Congress Convention Center

Hofburg Congress Center

Innsbruck Congress Messe

Linz Design Center

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center

Salzburg Congress Centre

Villach Congress Center

Wiener Stadthalle

Belgium:

Brussels Exhibition Centre

Brussels Square Meeting Centre

Flanders Congress Centre

Kortrijk Xpo

Les Pyramides Exhibition Center

Liege Palais des Congres

Gruzenberg Meeting Center

Cyprus:

Cyprus Conference Centre

Czech Republic:

Prague Congress Centre

Denmark:

Aalborg Congress Center

Bella Center

Finland:

Dipoli Congress Center

Espoo Cultural Center

Finlandia Hall

Helsinki Congress Paasitorni

Helsinki Fair Centre

Imatra Cultural Centre

Jarvenpaa Hall

Jyvaskyla Paviljonki Congress Centre

Kaukametsa Congress Centre

Marina Congress Center

Unitas Congress Center

Wanha Satama

France:

Alpexpo Alpes Congres - Grenoble

Beaune Palais des Congres

Cannes Palais des Festivals et des Congrès

Carrousel du Louvre

Centre de Congrès Pierre Baudis Toulouse

Chassieu Lyon Eurexpo

Cite des Sciences et de L'Industrie

CNIT La Defense

La Cite Nantes Events Center

La Colline de la Defense

La Defense

Le Palais Beaumont

Lille Grand Palais

Lyon Convention Centre

Marseille Parc Chanot

Mercure Bordeaux Cite Mondiale Centre de Congres

Nice Acropolis

Paris Exposition Centre

Paris Palais des Congres

Strasbourg Conference Centre

Versailles Palais des Congres

Germany:

Amberger Congress Centrum

Baden-Baden Kongresshaus

Berlin Internationales Congress Centrum

Berlin Messe

Celle Wintergarten der Congress Union

Cottbus Congress Messe und Touristik

Dresden Culture Palace

Dusseldorf Congress Center

Erfurt Messe

Essen Congress Center

Eurogress Aachen

Frankfurt Messe

Freiburg Concert House

Friedrichshafen Graf-Zeppelin-Haus

Globana Trade Center Leipzig/Halle

Halle Münsterland Congress Centrum

Hamburg Messe und Congress

Hannover Congress Centrum

Hannover Messe

Heidelberg Convention Centre

Karlsruhe Messe

Köln Kongress

Landau Art Nouveau Festival Hall

Leipzig Congress Center

Leipzig Messe Trade Fair

Liederhalle Cultural & Congress Centre

Mainz Congress Centrum

Mannheim Congress Centrum

Munich International Congress Centre

Osnabrücker Veranstaltungs-und Kongress

Schwabenlandhalle Fellbach

Stadthalle Congress Center Sindelfingen

Stuttgart Messe

Westfalenhallen Congress Centre

Wiesbaden Rhein-Main-Hallen Exhibition &

Congress Center

Greece:

HELEXPO Palace

Hungary:

Budapest Congress & World Trade Center

Ireland:

Ireland National Events Centre

Irish International Convention & Exhibition Centre

Royal Dublin Society Arena

Italy:

BolognaFiere

Lingotto Conference Centre

Riva del Garda Fierecongressi

Venezia Palazzo del Cinema

Monaco:

Grimaldi Forum Monaco

Netherlands:

Amsterdam Arena

Amsterdam RAI Exhibition & Convention Centre

Beurs van Berlage

de Doelen Concert & Congress Centre

Evoluon World Class Conference Centre

IJsselhallen Convention Center

Maastricht Exhibition & Congress Centre

The Hague Netherlands Congress Centre

Norway:

Norway Exhibition & Convention Centre

Poland:

Warsaw International Expocentre

Portugal:

Europarque Congress Center

Lisboa Congress Centre

Madeira Tecnopolo

Palácio da Bolsa

Russia:

World Trade Center Moscow

Spain:

Alicante Institución Ferial

Barcelona Fira

Centro Internacional de Ferias y Congresos

Madrid Feria

Madrid Congress Hall

Maspalomas Gran Canaria Centro de Convenciones

Murcia Auditorio y Centro de Congresos

Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones Europa

Palma De Mallorca Auditorium

Puerto de la Cruz Centro de Congresos

Tenerife Sur Centro de Convenciones

Torrellano-Elche Centro de Congressos

Valencia Feria Muestrario Internacional

Zaragoza Feria

Zaragoza Palacio de Congresos

Sweden:

Malmo Scania Convention Centre

Swedish Exhibition & Congress Centre

Switzerland:

Basel Convention Center

Bern Expo Exhibition Center

Geneva International Conference Center

Geneva Palexpo

Interlaken Kongresszentrum Casino Kursaal

Lausanne Beaulieu Convention & Exhibition Centre

Montreux Music & Convention Centre

Zürich Sonnenberg Convention Center

Turkey:

Istanbul Convention & Exhibition Centre

United Kingdom:

Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre

Alexandra Palace

Barbican Centre

Belfast Waterfront

Birmingham National Exhibition Centre (NEC)

Bournemouth International Centre

Brighton Centre

Business Design Centre

Cardiff Motorpoint Arena

Cardiff Saint David's Hall

Earl's Court Exhibition Centre

Edinburgh Conference Centre

ExCeL London

Grand Connaught Rooms

Guildford Spectrum Leisure Complex

Harrogate International Centre

Kempton Park Racecourse

King's Hall Exhibition & Conference Centre

Le Meridien Café Royal

Olympia Exhibition Center

Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre

Riviera International Centre

Sandown Park Exhibition Centre

Scottish Exhibition & Conference Centre

Wembley Exhibition Centre

Austria:

Vorarlberg, Austria

Vorarlberg, Austria

Conveniently set along Austria's western border and within a stone's throw of Switzerland, Germany, and the Principality of Liechtenstein, Vorarlberg offers big time convenience in a small, charming pack-age.

Hotels 41

Total Sleeping Rooms 1,473

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) 106

Convention Ctr Space 5,574 Sq. Mtr.

Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria

Altenmarkt-Zauchensee, Austria

MICE planning in Altenmarkt-Zauchensee has everything hardy meeting groups would like: year-round outdoor activities, hearty local fare, and intimate but dazzling venues.

Hotels 16

Total Sleeping Rooms 552

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) -

Convention Ctr Space -

Gastein Valley, Austria

Gastein Valley, Austria

Gastein Valley includes the ski resort of Badgastein, has long been a fashionable MICE destination.

Hotels 100

Total Sleeping Rooms 5,000

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) -

Convention Ctr Space -

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck, Austria

Innsbruck, wedged between high peaks, is a Tyrolean gem of wooden houses, the Golden Roof and cute shops; meeting and event planning includes Bergisel Cafe reached by funicular.

Hotels 68

Total Sleeping Rooms 2,563

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) -

Convention Ctr Space 210 Sq. Mtr.

Saalfelden, Austria

Saalfelden, Austria

MICE planning in Saalfelden draws those groups that especially love mountains and outdoor activities. Breathtaking views are commonplace here.

Hotels 4

Total Sleeping Rooms 381

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) -

Convention Ctr Space -

Salzburg, Austria

Salzburg, Austria

Yes, it's the birthplace of Mozart; but when planning meetings and events in Salzburg, do not underestimate the pull of the classic musical Sound of Music and its effect on the popular imagination Hotels 115

Total Sleeping Rooms 6,500

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) -

Convention Ctr Space -

Vienna, Austria

Vienna, Austria

For meeting and event planning in stunning museums and opulent palaces, Vienna is a top location that is known as one of Europe’s safest and greenest cities.

Hotels 436

Total Sleeping Rooms 33,958

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) 450

Convention Ctr Space 120,960 Sq. Mtr.

Zell am See, Austria

Zell am See, Austria

Groups will enjoy MICE planning in Zell am See, with its striking alpine vistas and quaint town. Its Ferry Porsche Congress Center accommodates up to 1,000 people.

Hotels 41

Total Sleeping Rooms 1,091

Sleeping Rooms

(Single Hotel) -

Convention Ctr Space -

Total capacity: 9,500 people

Gross hall space: 9,400 sq. meters

Facilities:

14 halls with capacities between 100-4,320 persons

170 additional rooms (offices, meeting rooms and presidential suites)

Total of 19,000 sq. meters of exhibition space (approx. 10,000sqm in the main building in addition to the halls, and 9,100 sq. meters in exhibition halls X, Y and Z).

The 2,113 events staged at the Austria Center Vienna between its inauguration in May 1987 and the end of 2002 drew some 3.6 million visitors, including more than 630,000 foreign delegates.

Austria Center Vienna Information

Address

Bruno-Kreisky-Platz 1

A-1220 Vienna Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Convention Center

Downtown

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Hall:

Gallery:

Largest Exhibition Hall:

Second Largest Exhibition Hall:

1,100 sq. m.

4,000 sq. m.

3,844 sq. m.

Transportation

Vienna International Airport: 13.3 mi / 21.4 km

Attractions Near Vienna Austria Center

Vienna has a wide variety of cultural attractions to offer and is extremely popular among culture lovers. Nearby the area of the Austria Center Vienna, guests can be stunned by a creation of the curious kind - the Hundertwasser House. On the roofs and balconies of the residential building grow shrubs and trees. The walls and floors are curved, and visitors encounter topsy-turvy painted facades. Out of consideration for the residents of the 50 apartments, the house can mostly be viewed from outside. After observing this unique view, travelers can go shopping at the adjacent shopping arcade Kalke Village.

The castle Schoenbrunn, the summer residence of the Habsburgs of Austria, is next to the St. Stephen's Cathedral and Belvedere one of the main attractions near the Austria Center Vienna. The magnificent building, which radiates glory and grace, goes back to a bourgeois mansion, which the Emperor Maximilian purchased in 1559 and expanded into a hunting lodge. After its destruction by the Turks, it was redesigned by Johann Berhard Fischer and constructed in its original form, with two side wings. Tourists are stunned by the remarkable courtyard, and it is worthwhile to take a relaxing stroll down the staircase and through the front garden.

The Vienna Prater is a nearly 14-miles long alley that is surrounded by forest and meadows. In the midst of this idyllic scenery lies an enormous theme park. To this day, the Prater is the green lung of the city, where sport fanatics can enjoy hiking, biking, playing tennis and golf. Close by, the famous Ernst Happel football stadium entertains guests with various soccer games and music events. The amusement park itself offers roller coasters, haunted houses, laugh cabinets, shooting galleries and beer gardens. This location is a must see for everyone who wants to explore the surrounding area of the Austria Center Vienna.

The St. Stephen's Cathedral, which the Viennese lovingly refer to as "Steffl", is the largest Gothic building in Austria. Its history dates back to 1147, when it still was a Romanesque church. The impressive construction has magnificent star-power and ribbed vaults, as well as a 137-meter-high south tower. Its counterpart, the north tower, remained unfinished in 1579 and received a "spire" in the Renaissance style. Below this is the Pummerin, a 21-ton bell, the biggest in the country. It was cast after the second Turkish siege from the ore of the captured guns.

About Grazer Congress Convention Center

Grazer Congress Convention Center

The Grazer Congress Convention Center is a site can’t be missed when you are visiting Graz. The innovative modern blue building stands out among its neighbors, as it is nestled among the old buildings in this Austrian city’s historic center.

The facility can host conferences up to 1,500 people and banquets for up to 2,400 people, as well as trade fairs and meetings, all in a high-tech atmosphere that is located in a traditional neighborhood. The center has its own casino, and is close to accommodations, dining, shopping and the sights of this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

Grazer Congress Convention Center Information Address

Messeturm, Messeplatz 1

A-8010 Graz Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Congress Center

City Centre

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Second Largest Hall: 608 sq. m.

320 sq. m.

Transportation

Graz Airport: 7.6 mi / 12.2 km

Attractions Near Grazer Congress Convention Center

Many exciting places to go and things to do may be found within walking distance of the Grazer Congress Convention Center in Graz, Austria's old town area. The city boasts some of the best foods in all of Austria. The Kaiser-Josef-Markt is the largest farmers' market in Graz. The fresh produce changes on a daily basis. Traditional "Kaferbohne" (large beans), apples and pumpkin-seed oil, homemade bread, sausages, bacon, juices, cakes, all types of vegetables, fish, meat, and even fresh flowers are part of this market. It is open Mondays through Saturdays from 6 am to 1 pm, but the best items sell out early.

The Albin Sorge "Zum Weinrebenbäcker" was established in 1688, making it one of the oldest and now the largest bakeries in Styria. Visitors enjoy coffee, organic products, lunch, confectionery, pastries, and ice cream dishes. For tasty regional tidbits, the Altsteirische Schmakerlstube is a wonderful choice with its rustic décor and wooden tables or courtyard patio providing dining options. For a night out, visiting the Miles JazzBar will provide free live entertainment every Wednesday and Thursday evening to enjoy with one's choice of 25 whiskeys, tequilas or cocktails.

The greenhouses of the Botanical Gardens boast "extra-terrestrial" architecture which actually dates back to the glass houses designed by Volker Giencke. They form three converging slanted parabolic cylinders of acrylic "glass." Four different climate zones are duplicated inside allowing lavish plant growth including tropical plants, orchids, Mediterranean citrus plants, eucalypti, and other local vegetation, Australian and South American plant life, and cacti along with other arid succulent plants.

A steel-grid structure built in the shape of a half-opened shell on an artificial island in the river Mur—The Murinsel—consists of an open amphitheatre containing wave-like, blue benches for performances and a covered, trendy café. Footbridges connect the island on a "ship" to the riverbanks. The entire structure shines with blue light after dark.

The city's name is a derivation of the Slavic word for "little castle." A castle stood on the rock ledge of the Schlossberg (mountain) in the middle of Graz more than 1,000 years ago. By Napoleon's day the castle had become a fortress which the French Emperor blew up. The Bell Tower and Clock Tower which remain atop the mountain today are much more friendly landmarks to visit.

Any holiday in Graz provides historic and current places and events to remember for a lifetime.

Hofburg Congress Center

The Hofburg Congress Center, a former palace in Vienna, Austria served as an integral part of Austrian history and now serves as a central meeting venue in all its opulent glory.

Steeped in history, it offers many indulgent amenities. The rooms are decorated with history from a past that is reminiscent of grandeur and opulence. The meeting venue is an eclectic mix of historical past with modern day. Le Grand Bal is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Next door, the Heldenplatz, square of heroes, is a must-see. The chapel offers exquisite sounds of The Vienna Boys Choir. Surrounding areas have transportation easily accessible to all the sights and sounds that is Vienna.

Hofburg Congress Center Information

Address

Heldenplatz, P.O. Box 113

1014 Vienna, Austria Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Congress Center

Downtown Vienna

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Second Largest Hall:

Third Largest Hall: 989 sq. m.

680 sq. m.

575 sq. m.

Transportation

Vienna International Airport: 14.1 mi / 22.7 km

Attractions Near Hofburg Congress Center Schönbrunn Palace:

This is the must-see tourist landmark in Vienna. This enormous palace boats over 1,400 rooms, and was built in the mid 17th century as a summer home for the Hapsburg Monarchy. It is built in the Rococo Style, and was awarded with the UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. There are guided tours available, even in English if that is necessary.

Schönbrunn Tiergarten:

Located right next door to the palace you can find the oldest zoo in the world, established in 1752. It is a modern zoo, but built alongside incredible garden monuments, statues, and buildings belonging to the nearby palace and it's gardens. There are countless animal species, with the most popular being the elephants and pandas.

Wiener Riesenrad:

Translated as the "Viennese Ferris Wheel," this is an iconic landmark in the city. It was one of the earliest Ferris Wheels ever built, and was erected in 1897. The gondolas on the wheel offer spectacular views of Vienna, and are a fun way to get familiar with the layout of the city. There are a couple of replica ferris wheels around Vienna, but the Wiener Riesenrad is the original.

Kunsthistorisches Museum:

This Art History Museum in Vienna is an incredible palace-like building topped with an impressive octagonal dome. Most of the art houses in the museum came from the personal collections of the Hapsburg Family, and contains pieces by famous artists like Michelangelo, Rubens, Rembrandt, and Vermeer. This is the most frequented museum in the city, and for good reason.

Donauturm:

This tower dominates the skyline of Vienna, and in fact is the tallest structure in all of Austria coming in at 827 feet in height. Take elevator up to the viewing platform to view miles in any direction. If you happen to be there for the Donau Run, race up the 775 steps on foot for an intense workout! If you're a little less adventurous, just settle in for a drink or a meal in one of the two revolving restaurants at the top of the tower and rotate slowly, taking in the gorgeous panoramic landscape around you.

Innsbruck Congress Messe

Congress Innsbruck not only offers sufficient space for the presentation of your products but also the ideal background.

More than 5 000 sqm of exhibition space and vast foyers are at your disposal. Within the most extraordinary and modern frame your ideas for a successful presentation are almost without limits. Great enterprises such as Porsche or Mercedes have trusted in our facility more than once.

For presentations we especially recommend our halls with there adjoining foyers.

Congress Messe Innsbruck Center Information Address

Kapuzinergasse 11

A-6020 Innsbruck Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Congress Center

Downtown

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Exhibition Space: 20,000 sq. m.

40,000 sq. m.

Transportation

Innsbruck (INN) Airport: 2.8 mi. / 4.5 km.

Attractions Near Innsbruck Congress Messe Schloss Ambras

This beautiful castle was built in the 16th century and was the primary residence of Archduke Ferdinand II. It is an important example of German Renaissance architecture, and there are several rooms filled with armor, art, and fascinating collectables. The gardens are also magnificent, so spend some time strolling there as well.

Patscherkofelbahn

Located just a few minutes outside of Innsbruck is this popular skiing area. Some of the routes were used in the 1976 Winter Olympics! If weather conditions mean there is no snow when you visit, the area can also be used in summer months for mountain biking or even hiking.

Hofkirche

This Gothic church was built in the mid-16th century as a memorial to Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor. The church itself is incredibly large, and filled with ornate artwork and detail. There are life size bronzes of various members of the royal dynasties, making it a church where you can easily spend a few hours exploring and admiring.

Alpenzoo

This zoo is the highest zoo in Europe, and contains primarily alpine animals. It's a wonderful way to understand alpine living, and of course lots of fun for children and adults alike. Located hillside, the Alpenzoo is at quite a high altitude to be prepared to experience that. Very popular are the backyard animal farm races. Pick the winner and receive a little prize as a souvenir!

Tiroler Volkskunstmuseum

This folk art museums focuses on the art in the area in which Innsbruck is located, Tyrol. The entire museum was recently renovated, with new display and updated exhibits. While the museum contents are fascinating and help visitors to better understand the history of Innsbruck, notable is actually the building itself. Once a Franciscan Monastery, the museum building is a wonderful building to explore and is built with several alleyways and inner courtyards.

Bergiselschanze

This monument has becoming a defining landmark in the city of Innsbruck. It is an artistic ski jump, with a cafe situated on the top of it. Enjoy a cup of coffee from the top and admire the views of the surrounding city.

Linz Design Center

Progressive in every respect. This is how the Design Center Linz presents itself to an international audience. Architecturally unique, multifunctional and with state of the art technology this event and communication centre provides top infrastructure performance for every type of occasion.

Due to the multi-functional spatial design of the Center, various areas may also be combined for a single event. In order to achieve maximum internal flexibility, all congress and exhibition areas are accommodated under the single roof of a large hall structure. A series of separate entrances are designed to avoid mixing the audiences of parallel events. Professional management ensures perfect coordination.

Linz Design Center Information

Address

Europaplatz 1

A-4020 Linz Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Design Center

Downtown

Services & Features

Event Hall:

Congress Hall: 4,300 sq. m.

1,170 sq. m.

650 sq. m.

Transportation

Hoersching Airport: 7.3 mi / 11.8 km

Attractions Near Linz Design Center

Lentos Art Museum

The Lentos Art Museum is one of Austria's top museums of modern art. It is located near the Linz Design Center in downtown Linz. Established in 2003, it has propelled Linz to international status with important works from artists from around the world. The Lentos Museum has an extensive and acclaimed sculpture collection. The illuminated building located on the banks of the Danube is an eye-catching attraction at night.

Brucknerhaus

Brucknerhaus is Linz's concert hall that was named in honor of the famous Austrian composer Anton Bruckner. Brucknerhaus is located in central Linz near the Lentos Art Museum and not far from the Linz Design Center. Featuring three main halls that are each named after composers, the facility hosts more than 200 performances per year.

Ars Electronica Center

Located on the opposite side of the Danube from downtown Linz, the Ars Electronica Center is a museum exhibiting high-tech work and technological creations from around the world. Just minutes away from the Linz Design Center, Ars Electronica Center presents technological works that include areas such as science and space, engineering and architecture, biotechnology, robotics and global development. For those who embrace technology, this is a must-see stop while in Linz.

Holy Trinity Column

The main square in downtown Linz is the site of the Holy Trinity Column which is a religious monument dedicated to deliverance from plague and war. The 20 meter tall, white marble column was erected in 1723 and has become a familiar landmark in the heart of Linz. The Holy Trinity column is just blocks away from the Linz Design Center.

Linz Castle and Castle Museum

Erected in the 17th century, the Linz Castle was the site of the early Linz settlement which at the time became a provincial capital. Today the castle is a museum housing some of the most important exhibitions highlighting the history and culture of Upper Austria. The exhibits include medieval art, arts and crafts, folklore works and modern art. Located on a bluff overlooking the Danube River, it is the largest universal museum in Austria. The Linz Castle and Castle Museum is only minutes away from the Linz Design Center.

Alter Dom

Until the 20th Century, Alter Dom was the cathedral of Linz. Today Alter Dom, which stands for Old Cathedral, is the largest baroque style church in Linz. With its onion-dome topped twin towers, the church's exterior features are simple but inside elaborate Baroque columns, statues and an intricately-carved pulpit await those who enter. Completed in 1678, Alter Dom is not far from the Linz Design Center.

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, in the center of Vienna, Austria, opened in 2004. It can accommodate 30,000 delegates or 50,000 visitors. It has 73,000 square meters of floor space. Exhibition Center Catering services include a restaurant seating 300, a hall seating 360 and three smaller cafes. The Congress Center has four restaurants that can seat more than 400.

Nearby underground stations can take visitors to sites throughout the capital city, but those within walking distance include the landmark Giant Ferris Wheel. St. Stephen's Cathedral is easily accessible on the underground. Nearby lodging includes Courtyard by Marriott Wien Messe and Austria Trend Hotel Messe Wien.

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center Information

Address

Messeplatz 1

Postfach 277

A-1021 Wien Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Reed Exhibitions

Congress Center

Downtown Vienna

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Multi-funcion Hall D:

Foyer A+D: 46,228 sq. m.

8,868 sq. m.

10,397 sq. m.

Transportation

Vienna International Airport: 10 mi / 20.4 km

Attractions Near Messe Wien Exhibition and Congress Center

An unbelievable example of European history, the palace has gorgeous grounds, apartments and impressive rooms. The artwork on display throughout the Palace rivals that found in any museum. The Porcelain Room is a consistent favorite, with walls painted in blue and white, designed to imitate the look of porcelain. Before you leave, be sure to stop by the café for a bit of lunch and visit the fountain located on the grounds; make a wish!

State Opera House

If you have the time, be sure to take in a performance at the State Opera House. Whether you attend an opera or a ballet, you are sure to leave culturally enriched. Don't worry if you can't speak or understand Italian, every guest is given an autocue translator to ensure that they are able to follow the performance.

Imperial Palace

Once the center of the Habsburg empire, the palace now houses three museums which give insights into the traditions of the historic imperial court. Visitors can also see the Imperial Apartments staged with original furnishings and decorations, the Sisi Museum and the Imperial Silver Collection, a range of tableware used at the imperial court in decades gone.

Botanischer Garten

A free stroll through the beautifully landscaped gardens will have visitors dying to get home to try a bit of outdoor design of their own. You can easily spend an entire day strolling through these lovely gardens and taking in the lovely sights.

Twin City Liner

For a bit of a break from the everyday tourist activities of Vienna, take a ride aboard the Twin City Liner for a day trip to Bratislava. Once in the other capital city, hop aboard an old-fashioned tram for a sightseeing tour of Bratislava. The residents are incredibly friendly and helpful ensuring that you enjoy your time off the beaten path.

Salzburg Congress Centre

The Salzburg Congress Centre is located near the city center of Salzburg, one of Austria's finest cities. Visitors to the centre can find a cost-effective venue with over 15,000 feet of convention space. This is the perfect venue for a small trade show or large meeting, depending on the needs of the event. Salzburg is a fantastic city that offers guests many options for touring and recreation. The Old Town area is known for having famous, historic churches and buildings. There are palaces located in the city that were used by famous generals in the past. Visitors can appreciate the finest food of Austria in some of the great restaurants in the city.

Salzburg Congress Centre Information

Address

Auerspergstraße 6

5020 Salzburg Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Congress Center

Downtown Salzburg

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Transportation

Salzburg Airport: 3.4 mi / 5.5 km

Attractions Near Salzburg Congress Centre

The Salzburg Congress Centre is located next to the world renowned Mirabell Gardens. In the gardens are four famous statues which symbolize fire, earth, water, and air. These are grouped around the Pegasus fountain designed by Kaspar Gras. The theme of the gardens is based on mythology and there are many interesting statues to be found. These gardens are part of the grounds of the Mirabell Palace. The palace was built in 1606 in the Baroque style architecture.

Another attraction nearby is the Salzburg Cathedral, which was built in the 17th century. It is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is known for its baroque architecture. The composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart was baptized in this cathedral and he composed many of his pieces on the organ here. Mozart's birthplace and residence are also popular stopping points for tourists.

The city of Salzburg is known for being the filming location for the movie, The Sound of Music. Tourists flock to many of the locations where this movie was filmed. Nonnberg Abby is perhaps one of the most visited attractions as this is where Maria Augusta von Trapp, whose life the film is based on lived.

The Hohensalburg Castle is one of the best preserved and largest castles in Europe. Construction began in 1077 and it was enlarged over the next few hundred years. It was completely refurbished in the late 19th century and was used during World War I to hold Italian prisoners of war.

In 696 St. Peter's Abbey was established by Saint Rupert. It is a beautiful Romanesque building that now houses the oldest library in Austria and holds many special collections of medieval church history, art history, maps, and music collections of famous composers.

St. Peter's Cemetery is among the oldest cemeteries in the world. There are numerous artists and scholars buried here. There are early Christian catacombs in the rock above the cemetery that are interesting to tour.

The name Salzburg means "salt castle" and there are many salt mine tours available. One of the most popular tours is of the Hallstatt Mines that are more than 7,000 years old. These are the oldest salt mines in the world and are still operating today.

Congress Center Villach

Villach Congress Center

Congress Center Villach is in southern Austria in Carinthia, bordered by the Alps to the north, East Tyrol to the west and Slovenia and Italy to the south; it's a vacation spot of mountains and lakes. Congress Center, in downtown Villach, includes 2,000 square meters and a capacity of 2,000 people.

In addition to trade fairs, events include a summer cultural festival and a carnival show. Performances include opera, symphony, rock and folk concerts. Holiday Inn Villach is on site and has two restaurants and a wine bar. Villach's history dates to 3500 B.C. Its centuries-old St. Joseph church has a bell tower that offers a panoramic view.

Villach Congress Center Information

Address

Europaplatz 1

A-9500 Villach Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Congress Center

Downtown

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Foyers:

Total capacity:

2,000 sq. m.

2,000 people

Transportation

Klagenfurt Airport: 22.7 mi / 36.6 km

Attractions Near Villach Congress Center

By far the most modern conference center in Carinthia, Villach Congress Center features innovative architecture, advanced technology, spacious meeting rooms and much more. The facilities include 9 large meeting rooms, 2,000 square meters of foyer space and 1,715 square meters of exhibition space. The total capacity of the Villach Congress Center is 2,000 people. Locals and tourists both find that the center is an enjoyable place to visit even if you aren't there for a specific event. The large glass windows usher in sunlight and look out onto a beautiful view.

If you are in town for a conference or event held at the center, you may find yourself wanting to take a break and explore Villach for a spell. There are plenty of things to do in this charming city. Here are a few of the main attractions near the Villach Congress Center:

Stadtpark (City Park)

Located just a short walk from the Villach Congress Center, the city park is the best place to go for a bit of fresh air after a long day at the conference center. If you're visiting Villach with kids, take them to the park's playground to let off steam. The colorful playground features a climbing tower with a sliding pole, a rope bridge, swings and more. On hot days, kids and adults alike enjoy splashing in the playground's water park.

Wald Friedhof (Woodland Cemetery)

Most people wouldn't think of a cemetery as the ideal tourist attraction, but the Wald Friedhof's peaceful atmosphere attracts visitors from near and far. The only sound hear is that of the songbirds and the wind rushing through the tree branches. The cemetery has three monoliths constructed from marble and weighing 4.5 tons each. There are also several beautiful memorials and crosses made from iron and stone.

Museum der Stadt (City Museum)

For an in-depth look at the art, culture and history of Villach, head over to the City Museum. On warm days, you'll enjoy strolling around the Victorian courtyard and viewing the stunning church parish tower. Inside the museum there are a number of fascinating exhibits, including city archives, archaeological artifacts and original antiques.

Wiener Stadthalle

Stadthalle, Wiener, 15th district of Vienna, built as a venue for mass events by R. Rainer 1953/55-1958. The main hall (100 x 100 m) can be laid out in many ways depending on the purpose (sports events, congresses, concerts etc.) and provides room for 3,000-16,000 people. In addition there are halls for ball games (60 x 30 m), ice sports and gymnastics. The swimming bath annexe was also built according to plans by R. Rainer 1972-1974.

Wiener Stadthalle Convention Center Information Address

Vogelweidplatz 14

1150 Vienna Chain/Parent:

Chain Facility Type:

Location: Indep./ Small

Convention Center

Downtown Vienna

Services & Features

Meeting Space

Auditorium: 4,920 sq. m.

2,036 seats

Transportation

Vienna International Airport: 15.8 mi / 25.5 km

Attractions Near Wiener Stadthalle Convention Center

Visitors to Vienna will delight in the vast number of attractions found in the downtown area and other nearby districts of the city. Of particular interest is the number of historical palaces in the city, especially the Schönbrunn Palace. The most visited attraction in all of Vienna, this structure includes the old Imperial Palace residence. The surrounding grounds contain magnificent fountains, open green areas and the city zoo, as well as well-reserved statues and monuments. The nearby Belvedere Palace was built in baroque style in the early 18th century and has a wonderful reflective pond that shows off the architecture nicely. Art exhibits and other collections of rare artifacts can be found at this stunning complex.

In the heart of Vienna is found the Opera House, another magnificent piece of architecture. The nearby Butterfly House is one of the world's most complete collection of tropical butterflies and has been designed to capture the rainforest environment with stunning realism. The Albertina Muse