The Austrian tourism industry is re-opening its doors by mid of May again. To support the local MICE industry during and after the COVID-pandemic, the government has launched various initiatives for the upcoming years. These programmes will help you, as an international event organizer, with the support of our local team, to ensure a smooth and (almost) financial riskless planning process for your events in Austria in the upcoming years.
“The initiatives that the Austrian government has started will provide such important support and insurance to event organizers. Hesitation and doubt are key limiting factors during this transition phase back to live events, but these mitigations will give Austria and Vienna a clear advantage“, mentions Daniel Wiesinger, Managing Director of Ovation Austria DMC.
Initiative #1: The protection shield program – coverage up to 10 million Euro!
This European-wide unique initiative was set up to give organizers and their clients at least a financial planning reliability in these uncertain times. This “insurance” covers up to 90% of all incurring cancellation fees in case of a COVID-related refusal of the planned event.
Applications for this programme can be submitted until the end of 2021 and covers events till the end of 2022. Download the complete programme here.
Initiative #2: Vienna Meeting Fund 2021-2023 – up to 60,000 Euro refund per event!
The Vienna Meeting Fund 2021-2023 provides funding for events held between 1 May 2021 and 31 December 2023. The fund supports business events that take place – for which the attendees are known and registered to the organizer – the event needs to add value for Vienna as an innovation hub and a business location. This includes congresses and meetings, as well as corporate events and meetings. Purely (corporate) evening events such as galas, award ceremonies or Christmas parties, as well as exhibitions, fairs and cultural or sporting events are not eligible for funding.
Funding is available for specific costs paid to third parties, which are directly related to the staging of the event. Applications can be submitted until 3 December 2023.
If you want to learn more about these programmes, connect with our local experts.
Our Austrian team will be happy to provide you with detailed information about all possible subsidies and programmes for your upcoming event. Ovation Austria DMC is your first point of contact to start the application process. Just click here to contact us!