“In recent years, we have invested heavily in modernisation and digitalisation to provide our clients with the ideal setting for their events. On Level 0 and the newly redesigned Level -2 alone, there are now close to 500m² of LED displays, which provide the perfect canvas for innovative event staging. It is plain to see that we are setting new standards in the events industry and helping our clients create unforgettable experiences for their participants, thanks to our polySTAGE – a true world-first – as well as the other digital displays throughout the building and our flexible use of space. For me, this award for ECR 2025 is a fantastic confirmation of this strategy,” says Austria Center Vienna Managing Director Susanne Baumann-Söllner.
Interactive and immersive congress sets new standards
The 2025 European Congress of Radiology impressed the judges with an immersive concept that combined lectures, interactive installations and virtual reality elements, all tied together in a consistent storytelling narrative. A digital world, developed using Unreal Engine and brought to life by LED panels, 3D animations and motion-capture technology, led participants through differently-themed “landscapes” and brought the congress’s central message into sharp focus throughout the entire event space. This distinctive concept enhanced participant engagement and again underlined the ECR’s standing as one of the most interactive and inspiring congresses on the international stage – far beyond the field of medical imaging.
Planet Radiology
Inspired by the theme of Planet Radiology, this year’s radiology congress pulled off a metamorphosis that turned the event into a series of different, geographically inspired event spaces. The entire venue was transformed into different climate zones: from the depths of the oceans to arid deserts and lush jungles. Floating jellyfish, graceful seahorses, panthers, stags and scuttling beetles – participants were cast in the role of explorers on a technicolour voyage of discovery, in a stunning example of an end-to-end visual concept.
Pulsating heart takes centre stage
The main fulcrum for visitors was the impressive registration area beneath the polySTAGE in the entrance hall, where a giant, pulsating heart sculpture drew everyone’s gaze. An optical effect that was made possible using a technique known as projection mapping. The polySTAGE also notified participants of upcoming programme highlights and showed exactly where to find them.
The Austria Centre Vienna is Austria’s largest conference centre. With 21 halls, 134 meeting rooms and some 26,000m² of exhibition space, it is one of the top players on the international conference circuit. Hosted at the Austria Centre Vienna since 1991, the annual European Congress of Radiology (ECR) now attracts more than 20,000 participants. Organised by the European Society of Radiology (ESR), it is Europe’s largest and the world’s second-largest radiology-sector congress.
Find out more about Austria Center Vienna here.
