ECC "Thinking major events in a networked way"

20. - 21.6.2024

In June 2024, experts and decision-makers from the City of Vienna and its partners cities will come together at the European Cities Conference on the topic of "Thinking major events in a networked way" to exchange security-related knowledge on the organization of major events. In the wake of the dynamic development of urban areas, major European cities are constantly facing new challenges, particularly when it comes to planning and implementing major events. The complexity of such events requires a network-oriented way of thinking as well as close cooperation between organisers, emergency response organizations and the city administration.

On the first day of the conference at the Wien Museum on 20 June 2024 will be dedicated to the comprehensive challenges faced by authorities and event organizers when planning, organizing and staging major events. The relevant official stages on the way from the idea to the event will be traced, the area of security and threat scenarios will be addressed and communication between the institutions involved and with event visitors will be discussed. All key topics will be discussed on international panels and best practice examples will be presented. The subsequent get-together will provide the framework for an informal and personal exchange. Afterwards, there will be the opportunity to visit the Wien Museum free of charge and immerse yourself in the history of the city.

On the second day, June 21, 2024, some of the Danube Island Festival's security facilities will be visited, including the security center and the headquarters of the ambulance service, fire brigade and police. Employees from the respective departments will present their concepts for the Danube Island Festival. The conference will then end in the backstage area of the main stage.

Start: Thursday, June 20, 2024, 11 am,
End: Friday, June 21, 2024, 1.30 pm
We kindly ask you to register at: ecc@viennaoffices.at

Conference language is German. Simultaneous interpreting will also be provided into and from the following languages or language groups: Bulgarian, Bosnian-Croatian-Serbian, Polish, Slovenian, Czech and Hungarian.

Please note that photos will be taken at the venue and may be published for the purpose of documenting the event (including on social media channels).

We look forward to seeing you there!

Programme

Day 1, 20. June 2024 – Wien Museum

Moderator: Gerald Schimpf

11 am	Registration and brunch
11.45 am	Musical framework
12 pm	Opening of the conference by Peter Hanke, Executive City Councillor for Finance, Economic Affairs, Labour, International Affairs and Vienna Public Utilities
12.15 pm	Welcome address by Wolfgang Müller, Deputy Head of Municipal Department, Head of Division for Organisation and Security
12.30 pm	Keynote: What does a major event mean for the city from the organiser's perspective? Anita Paic – Director B2B Management Vienna Tourist Board

From the idea to the event

12.45 pm	Input: Requirements for the staging of a major event using the example of the Vienna City Marathon – Wolfgang Konrad, Long-standing organiser and Race Director of the Vienna City Marathon
1 pm	Panel 1: Challenges for the city administration/authorities Question: What measures are taken when an organiser registers a major event? Dietmar Klose, Head of Department of Municipal Department 36; Richard Förster, Municipal Department 46; two international participants
1.40 pm	Panel 2: Challenges for public transportation Ivana Vukasovic, Wiener Linien; Roman Hahslinger, Chief Security Officer at ÖBB; two international participants
2.20 pm	Panel 3: Challenges for the emergency response organisations Dominik Fritz, Professional Fire Department Vienna; Xenia Zauner, Vienna Police Department; Patrick Aigner, Deputy Head of Rescue Services, Professional Ambulance Services of Vienna, two international participants
3 pm	Coffee break

Threat scenarios

3.30 pm	Input: Current threat scenarios using the example of the New Year's Eve Trail – Michael Domkar, Manager of Michael Domkar GmbH
3.45 pm	Panel 1: Security evaluation, overview of situation, et cetera (from weather to unannounced demonstrations) Andreas Olbrich, Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and Counterterrorism; Marc Olefs, Head of Department of Climate Impact Research, GeoSphere Austria; two international participants
4.30 pm	Break

Communication

4.30 pm	Input: The do`s and dont`s of crisis communication – Martin Schipany, Municipal Department 53 – Communication and Media
5 pm	Panel 1: Event communication Paul Weis, Manager of Stadt Wien Marketing; Johanna Wiesholzer, Wiener Linien; two international participants
5.40 pm	Panel 2: Crisis communication Dominik Grabner, Vienna Police Department; Oliver Ortner, Regional Studio Vienna of the Austrian Broadcasting Corporation ORF; Cornelia Blum, Vienna University
6.20 pm	Teaser on the Danube Island Festival – Matthias Friedrich, Manager of ProEvent, Organiser of the Danube Island Festival
6.30 pm	Get-together

Day 2, 21. June 2024

8.45 am	Arrival of participants on the Danube Island, Danube Island parking (Floridsdorferbrücke)
9 am	Security Control Centre, contact person: Herbert Wagner Topics: Overall concept, security und project anker, best practice examples
9.45 am	Ambulance Services: Arbeiter Samariterbund, contact person: Erwin Scheidl and Bernhard Schwarz Presentation of paramedic concept and ambulance equipment, operation statistics, number of ambulances & personnel, biggest challenges
10.20 am	Vienna Professional Fire Department, contact person: Peter Kroiss Topics: operation statistics, biggest challenges und vehicle presentation
11 am	Police Part 1 in the area U6/City Train Bridge: Presentation of concept in the area of U6/ City Train Bridge (accesses, turnstyle systems, video surveillance et cetera) Part 2 in Backstage area: Discussion of deployment statistics and challenges
11.50 am	Mainstage and backstage
12 pm	Wrap-up and Lunch in the backstage area
1.30 pm	Pick-up of participants from the Danube Island