Vienna – MTLG Destination Update 2019

May 27, 2018

Cities are not only smart due to smart technology, but also due to numerous solutions which improve the lives of its citizens and therefore also participants of congresses and events.

INTRO 2019

I often find myself wondering what is Vienna’s recipe for success. The city ranks in first place on almost all ranking lists. Usually the answer is related to the accessibility of homes and transport, the abundance of green spaces and its planning for a sustainable future. Only rarely, however, do we talk about the relationship between the city and visiting congress guests. There are cities in the world which can prove quite stressful for congress participants, and then there is Vienna. From first-hand experience I can confirm that the city is easy to get around, pleasant and enjoyable and already belongs among the so-called ‘smart’ cities of today. Vienna’s city authorities are convinced that the ‘smart’ city can grow whilst at the same time reducing the use of natural resources. One of the crucial initiatives is the intensive inclusion of the city’s residents, since there is a desire that innovations help improve living standards for all. It is all this that places Vienna among the smart cities of the future and makes it an excellent meeting destination.

NEED TO KNOW 2019

With the ambitious project ‘Smart City Wien’, which began in 2011, Vienna has been ranked number one among smart cities for several years. The city is aware that changes can’t take place overnight, therefore the project has very clearly-defined goals. The focal point of the project is the radical preservation of natural resources, the development and active use of innovations and new technologies, and a high and socially balanced level of living. The most visible result of the project is the new Aspern Seestadt residential neighbourhood, which is considered one of largest European urban development projects. It represents a first-class living laboratory for the development of sustainable and innovative energy saving technologies and optimal living, which is why Vienna ranks among the world’s leading meeting destinations.

DID YOU KNOW?
Vienna is also a centre of innovation in the meetings industry. The start-up scene in the city is growing and developing rapidly. The first breakthrough was achieved by the company Superevent, which has developed one of the best mobile applications for events. Last year the company Waytation attracted a lot of attention in the congress market, as the only company in the world that enables an understanding of participants’ user experience. By tracking participants movements after an event, it enables an understanding of interests and better planning and optimisation of events. The company Lineapp triggered a real revolution, which allows sound to be broadcast via wi-fi directly to mobile devices. The system represents a real revolution in simultaneous translation and also offers numerous other options for users such as ‘silent disco’ and ‘keynote talks’.

BEST INCENTIVE IDEA

There is always something happening in the creative city. Every year around 15,000 events are held in its 120 concert halls. Events can be held in any of the 27 palaces, over 100 museums and 110 galleries. The list of incentive programmes is comprehensive and diverse and includes everything from traditional programmes to culinary adventures.

Based on the city’s characteristics, we consider that some of the most attractive and authentic programmes are those that are truly Viennese, such as waltzing lessons led by one of the capital’s best-known dance schools, or a chance to get acquainted with Lipizzaner stallions at the Spanish Riding School – one of the oldest in the world. The list is practically never-ending. For more details take a look at the list of incentive ideas and social events programmes here:

Vienna Convention

PERFECT GIFT

Orignal-Sacher-Torte-Glasur-1 — Photo Credit: Sacher.com

Sachertorte is a wonderful Viennese classic cake with a moist, light texture, sweet apricot jam and a thick layer of icing made from dark chocolate, which will certainly remind you of a visit to Vienna. The recipe is still one of the best preserved of secrets in the patisserie world, even though it is copied in numerous forms throughout the world.

Today in Vienna there are two types of Sachertorte available, which differ only slightly from each other. In the Sacher Hotel version there are two layers of jam, whilst at the famous Demel patisserie there is only jam on the top and the sides.

BEST KEPT SECRETS

Vienna is regarded as the culinary capital of Central Europe. According to the latest data, it is in 10th place based on its number of Michelin stars. Real foodies will be impressed by original specialties, which are bound to also impress congress participants. The Kolbl family estate has been in existence for over 100 years. It sells its traditional products at the city’s Naschmarkt market. Kolbl is best known for its chillies which are grown over an area of 4,400m2. Believe it or not, in Vienna’s surroundings Ursual Kujal and Harald Thiesz cultivate over 50 different types of figs, which they turn into various culinary delights. Organic farming is the motto of the young farmer Oliver Kaminek, who, in addition to top-quality wines, also breeds rare Mangalica pigs, also known as ‘wool pigs’.