European Congress of Radiology Extends Vienna Partnership Until 2035

Kettner, Bauman-Söllner and Baierl in front of the Austria Center Vienna © acv.at, ManzanoImages 

The agreement secures the long-term future of one of Vienna’s largest international congresses, reinforcing the Austria Center Vienna’s position as a major driver of scientific exchange and economic activity.

The European Congress of Radiology (ECR) will remain at the Austria Center Vienna until 2035, following an extension of its long-standing partnership with the Austrian venue. The agreement consolidates a relationship dating back to 1991 and secures the continued presence of one of Europe’s largest specialist congresses in a destination where the meeting sector plays a significant economic and scientific role.

The ECR attracted 22,418 participants from 121 countries and more than 220 exhibitors in 2026, maintaining its position as the largest international congress hosted by the Austria Center Vienna. Its scale and international reach also make it an important contributor to Vienna’s standing as a destination for scientific and professional gatherings.

“We are delighted that the European Congress of Radiology will be held at the Austria Center Vienna until 2035. The fact that a global congress has chosen to commit to us for such a long period is a truly strong sign of confidence. The ECR is our largest event, which this year alone brought 22,418 participants from 121 countries and more than 220 exhibitors to Vienna. It is a special highlight every year, as no other specialist congress combines scientific dialogue with technological progress as effectively as the ECR. In recognition of this, it was twice awarded the prestigious ‘Bea Event Award’ in 2025 at one of the world’s most important event festivals, ‘Bea World’, in the categories ‘Best Congress’ and ‘World’s Best Convention’. For us, the ECR is therefore a flagship congress par excellence, which, like us, stands for innovation and creativity. It makes me very happy and proud that we will continue on this successful path together in the future,” says Susanne Bauman-Söllner, Director of the Austria Center Vienna.
 

Outdoor shot of the Austria Center Vienna at the ECR 2026 © acv.at, ManzanoImages

A partnership built on continued investment

For the European Society of Radiology (ESR), the decision to extend the agreement reflects not only the longevity of the relationship but also the venue’s willingness to adapt to the changing requirements of a major international congress. Infrastructure investment, technological development and the joint implementation of new event concepts have been central to the collaboration.

“Our long-standing collaboration with the Austria Center Vienna is based on mutual trust and a reliable partnership. The ECR has continued to evolve over the past decades and, every year, sets new standards for a modern meeting venue. We therefore particularly appreciate the Austria Center Vienna’s willingness to invest continuously in its infrastructure, to embrace new technologies and to implement innovative event concepts together with us. This openness to further development was a key reason for our decision to continue our successful partnership until 2035,” explains Peter Baierl, Executive Director of the European Society of Radiology.

The extension also carries significance for Vienna’s wider meetings economy. With around 20,000 participants annually, the ECR traditionally marks the beginning of the destination’s congress year and ranks among its largest events. Long-term agreements provide greater predictability for the local meetings ecosystem, while supporting employment, knowledge exchange and economic activity.

“The extension of the ECR contract until 2035 sends a strong signal for Vienna as a meeting destination. With around 20,000 participants annually, the congress ranks among the destination’s largest events and traditionally marks the start of the meeting year. As one of four congresses of this scale taking place this year, it provides a significant economic boost, secures jobs and generates added value, promotes the transfer of knowledge and strengthens Vienna’s position as a centre for science and business. Long-term contracts such as this one also ensure predictability and stability across the entire destination. We would like to thank the ECR and, in particular, Peter Baierl for their confidence in Vienna,” said Norbert Kettner, CEO of the Vienna Tourist Board.

The economic contribution of international meetings is reflected in delegate expenditure. According to the Vienna Tourist Board, the average meeting delegate spends around €560 in the city, approximately one-third more than a typical visitor. The Austria Center Vienna also accounts for a substantial share of the destination’s international conference activity, with one in three international meeting delegates in Vienna attending a conference at the venue.
 

Kettner, Bauman-Söllner and Baierl on the modern Level -2 at the Austria Center Vienna © acv.at, ManzanoImages

Economic impact and immersive event experiences

The ECR’s continued presence is equally important to the financial position of the Austria Center Vienna and its wider regional contribution. A study by EcoAustria calculated that the venue generated €445 million in GDP impact for Austria in 2025, alongside €398 million in gross value added and 3,950 full-time jobs secured or created.

“In 2025 alone, according to the EcoAustria study, we at the Austria Center Vienna generated a GDP impact of 445 million euros for the region, achieved a gross value added of 398 million euros for Austria, and secured or created 3,950 full-time jobs. The ECR also makes a significant contribution to this as one of our most important clients and a flagship congress at our venue,” emphasises Bauman-Söllner.

Beyond its economic significance, the congress has also helped establish a setting for increasingly immersive approaches to scientific meetings. The Austria Center Vienna has been investing in modernisation and digitalisation, with Level 0 and the redesigned Level 2 offering around 500 m² of LED screen space. Together with the venue’s digital screens, flexible spaces and the world-first polySTAGE, these facilities provide the technical infrastructure for more ambitious event productions.

“I am delighted that we can continue to work together to further develop immersive meeting experiences, digital productions and new participant concepts, thereby making this innovative potential available to even more clients,” emphasises Bauman-Söllner.

The next European Congress of Radiology will take place at the Austria Center Vienna from 3 to 7 March 2027, under the theme ‘Healthcare Reimagined’. With the agreement now extended until 2035, the partnership provides a long-term framework for the continued development of one of the international radiology community’s principal meeting platforms.
 

Published by Meeting Media Company, the publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.