ERM25 in Vienna

Already on March 15 - one day before the official start of the program - the Vienna Convention Bureau (VCB), together with local partners, welcomed the HelmsBriscoe President's Club for a destination experience. Participants took part in a digital scavenger hunt through Vienna's city center, organized by Liberty Austria and Himbeere Eventagentur. The aim was to explore Vienna in a playful way and strengthen the sense of team spirit. The day concluded with lunch at Rosewood Vienna and an exclusive site inspection. 

The official ERM 2025 program began on the evening of March 16 at the Hilton Vienna Park - and celebrated St. Patrick's Day. In a relaxed atmosphere and with a nod to Vienna's historical ties to Irish tradition, the networking event offered an initial opportunity for informal exchange between HB Associates and partners from the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). The casual reception also served as a charming cultural statement, highlighting Vienna's openness and hospitality. 

The main program, with workshops, business sessions and networking formats, took place at the Hilton Vienna Waterfront, the official host hotel of the event. With its location on the Danube Canal, modern conference facilities and experienced event team, the venue provided the ideal setting for a professional and inspiring event environment. The Vienna Convention Bureau was actively involved in key program elements and used the opportunity to present Vienna as a reliable, diverse and extraordinary meeting destination. 

A particular highlight was the networking dinner hosted by the Vienna Convention Bureau on March 17 at the Kunsthistorisches Museum Vienna (KHM). Around 300 participants enjoyed a high-quality flying dinner by Gerstner Catering & Events, accompanied by live music from a Music Agency Buchmann & Kaspar ensemble. A special moment of the evening was a dance performance by Katharina Senk, held in honor of the "200 Years of Strauss" anniversary, as well as the exclusive access to the museum's galleries. That evening, the extraordinary KHM shone as a stage for culture, hospitality and excellent networking - once again underscoring Vienna's strength as an international meeting destination. 

Giving back

HelmsBriscoe always integrates targeted initiatives into its annual team meetings to give something back to the host destination. In Vienna, this commitment was realized through a CSR activity in cooperation with Caritas Vienna and the agency Catalyst Hubb. In an interactive format, teams competed in a game-based challenge to "win" essential and meaningful items for backpacks. These were then completed by Caritas and distributed to homeless and vulnerable individuals in Vienna - a strong statement of social responsibility and a lasting contribution beyond the event itself.

HelmsBriscoe partnership

Beyond the direct contact with more than 140 HelmsBriscoe Associates, the event represented a strategic investment in long-term visibility and relationships within the international meetings industry. It clearly demonstrated how Vienna, as a destination, succeeds in blending professionalism with hospitality, tradition with modernity, and content with experience. Our sincere thanks go to our Viennese partners whose commitment and support were instrumental in successfully delivering many program elements. 

HelmsBriscoe is a global expert in hotel sourcing and the strategic placement of meetings and events. The company's approximately 1,400 Associates support their clients in selecting suitable destinations and hotels for events and are key multipliers for the global meetings and congress market. Direct engagement with this community is strategically important for the Vienna Convention Bureau, especially as Vienna is listed as a Preferred Partner on the HelmsBriscoe platform - a valuable network benefit that continues to be maintained and expanded.