Extended for another five years: European Geosciences Union conference staying in Vienna until at least 2030
- Corporate news
The European Geosciences Union (EGU) has been meeting at the Austria Center Vienna since 2005, and more than 10,000 international geoscientists are currently in the Austrian capital for the organisation’s annual General Assembly. Thanks to the successful partnership between the organizer and the venue, the contract has now been extended for another five years – from 2026 to 2030. In addition to its economic significance, this is also good news for the city as a science hub: global issues such as climate change and resource conservation will continue to be the subject of high-profile discussion in Vienna.
“We are delighted that the General Assembly of the European Geosciences Union will continue to be held at the Austria Center Vienna until 2030. It is our second-largest event and a special highlight each year, because no other scientific congress has such a young and dynamic participant demographic as the EGU,” said Austria Center Vienna Director Susanne Baumann-Söllner.
“The extension of the contract between the European Geosciences Union and the Austria Center Vienna is a strong signal for Meeting Destination Vienna. The city once again stands out in international competition and strengthens its position as an important research and science location. Longstanding partnerships like the one with the EGU are something we are proud of, as they reflect the organisers’ confidence in the destination. We thank the EGU for their trust and the further cooperation until 2030 and congratulate the Austria Center Vienna on this success,” added Christian Woronka, Director Vienna Convention Bureau (VCB) and B2B Management at the Vienna Tourist Board.
Vienna on track for full recovery as congress location
Congress participants spend around twice as much money as the average visitor to Vienna, and the negative impact of their absence made itself felt on the hotel, F&B and tourism industries during the coronavirus pandemic, when only a handful of in-person events could be held. “It is also thanks to our successful partnership with the Vienna Tourist Board and its Vienna Convention Bureau that we are well placed to close in on the booking levels seen in 2019. In 2023, the Austria Center Vienna will host around 20 congresses – six of them with more than 4,000 participants each.” Baumann-Söllner confirmed.
About the EGU
Founded in 2002, the European Geosciences Union (EGU) is an interdisciplinary society for scientists working and researching in the geosciences and related fields. This year, the important role of the oceans in the fight against climate change will be among its key focuses. The first General Assembly took place in Nice in 2004, and the annual gathering has been held continuously at the Austria Center Vienna since 2005.
About IAKW-AG
Internationales Amtssitz- und Konferenzzentrum Wien, Aktiengesellschaft (IAKW-AG) is responsible for maintaining the Vienna International Centre (VIC) and operating the Austria Center Vienna (ACV). The Austria Center Vienna is Austria’s largest conference centre. With 19 halls, 180 meeting rooms and some 26,000 square metres of exhibition space, it is one of the top players on the international conference circuit.
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David Scheurich
Department Head Communication; Press Officer