Kenes Group Celebrated its 60th Anniversary in Vienna

Our partners from Kenes Group – a global leader in professional congress organisation and association management – marked its 60th Anniversary with an unprecedented gathering in Vienna, Austria, from 13 to 15 January 2025.

The event brought together 300 employees from around the globe, representing locations such as Switzerland, Bulgaria, Spain, the Netherlands, Turkey, Israel, Germany, Colombia, Thailand, the United States, Singapore, and more. The event highlighted Kenes Group's legacy of excellence, innovation, and collaboration over six decades.

This milestone event was made possible through the valued partnership with the Vienna Convention Bureau, underscoring the importance of strong alliances in delivering exceptional experiences. The project was led by Vice President of Business Development Avital Rosen–Topel, who has been part of Kenes Group since 1991.

The Kenes Leadership Summit 2025: Shaping the Future

From January 13 to 14, Kenes Group hosted its annual Kenes Leadership Summit 2025, a traditional gathering of the management board and key partners, including Interplan, Kenes M+, derCampus, and Kenes Asia. The Summit, which fosters collaboration and innovation across the organisation, covered various critical topics shaping the company’s strategic direction.

Key sessions at the summit included:

• Marketing Trends: Explored emerging B2C marketing strategies for 2025, emphasising the role of technology and actionable steps to enhance congress and association marketing efforts.
• The State of the Group: Reviewed 2024 achievements, main challenges, and financial outcomes while presenting the outlook for 2025.
• Sharing Hubs and Reporting Back: Discussed trends such as generative AI, sustainability, DE&I, and innovative PCO-AMC business models, reinforcing Kenes Group’s focus on applying cutting-edge solutions.
• The Future Workforce: Addressed strategies for attracting, engaging, and retaining next-generation talent, including Gen Z, emphasising employer branding and employee retention.
• Group Synergies: Unveiled opportunities for cross-company collaboration to enhance efficiency and foster growth.
   

CEO Ori Lahav remarked on the importance of the Summit: "The Kenes Leadership Summit is a vital platform for aligning our strategies and fostering collaboration among our partners. These sessions allow us to innovate, address challenges, and ensure that we continue to lead in the meetings and congress industry."

A Legacy of Impact

On January 14, Kenes Group leaders welcomed the global team in Vienna for a networking evening at the Austria Center Vienna.

In his speech during the event, Executive Chairman & Chief Vision Officer Dan Rivlin, also the son of Kenes Group Founder Gideon Rivlin (1932 - 2020), highlighted how relationships and human talent have been and continue to be the cornerstone of Kenes Group’s success:

"We believe in the ability to make a change in the world, we believe in people, and that is part of what brings us forward. It is one of those values that is embedded in our DNA. The family feeling and the bonding were carved by hours and hours of hard work. Think about it – it’s not natural. We have different cultures here from different offices, we are not sitting together, and we still build, through hard work and despite current challenges, friendships that were created while striving towards a common goal. This is what the special spirit is all about.”

The All-Hands Educational Session: From Virtual to In-Person

On January 15, Kenes Group held its global All Hands Meeting in person for the first time in years, at the Vienna Imperial Riding School, Hotel, a member of Marriott’s Autograph Collection.

Traditionally conducted virtually to accommodate the company’s international team, the special in-person session created aunique opportunity for face-to-face connection and collaboration. This open dialogue emphasised transparency and reinforced the company’s commitment to fostering engagement across all levels.

The evening was further enriched by a corporate social responsibility activity, resulting in donations of 250 bags of personal care items for Caritas Austria NGO to distribute among people living in homelessness conditions. 

A Message from the Vienna Convention Bureau

Anita Paic, Director of the Vienna Convention Bureau, praised the enduring collaboration with Kenes Group, stating: "Congratulations to Kenes Group on 60 remarkable years of excellence and innovation in the meetings industry! We are truly honoured that Vienna was selected as the venue to celebrate this incredible milestone. Over the years, the Vienna Convention Bureau has not only built a strong and valued partnership with Kenes Group but also fostered many lasting personal connections with your outstanding team.

Your contributions have profoundly shaped the global meetings and congress industry, playing a significant role in establishing Vienna as a leading meeting destination. Here’s to many more years of collaboration, achievement, and shared success!"

The partnership between Kenes Group and Vienna has been longstanding, with the city hosting numerous prestigious meetings organised by Kenes. Recent examples include:

• 10th Congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Societies (EAPS 2024), Austria Center Vienna, ~2,300 participants
• 23rd WPA World Congress of Psychiatry (WCP 2023) - World Psychiatric Association, Austria Center Vienna, 4,000 participants
• 55th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ESPGHAN 2023), Austria Center Vienna, 4,000 participants