A unique congress attracting 900 prominent participants in the field of data science
Thanks to the active commitment of Salzburg Convention Bureau, the city of Salzburg was selected to stage this key event, despite strong competition from several other destinations.
The International Data Week is a specialist congress attracting 900 prominent participants in the field of data science. It is to be held in Europe for the first time in October 2023.
Immense economic knock-on benefits
Major meetings and congresses play a key role in the economic life of the province of Salzburg. Industry and business-sector congresses are particularly fruitful sources of profit generation. Congress participants are said to generate more knock-on turnover than any other types of guests, and are known to spend up to an average of € 540 per person – per day.
The event specialists at Salzburg Convention Bureau and Salzburg Congress cooperated closely with scientists at the University of Salzburg. Hilary Hanahoe of the International Data Week team outlined what won them over: “Salzburg convinced us with a complete package. What made this bid so special was the very sound and well-substantiated plan compiled by the congress specialists and scientists from the local university here.”
Salzburg from a scientific perspective
The International Data Week brings together the world’s leading scientists, business people and data experts, thus ensuring international attention for Salzburg as a university town. Professor Dr. Arne Bathke, dean of the faculty of natural sciences at the University of Salzburg, states: “We expect the event to have a lasting influence on Salzburg’s image within the field of data science, and create benefits for the area as an economic base. After all, over the past few years, the practical and insightful use of data has increasingly become a decisive competitive factor.” In 2016 the University of Salzburg adopted a pioneering role by introducing the first data science master’s degree course in Austria.
Bidding procedure lasted several years
The entire process for the bid was coordinated by Salzburg Convention Bureau and took several years. Initial contact with a representative of the International Data Week came about in Paris in the autumn of 2016, as Salzburg Convention Bureau and Salzburg Congress were hosting an event to mark the opening of a Salzburg Museum exhibition: ‘Geste Baroque’ in the Louvre.
