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Thinking major events in a networked way
© Regina Hügli

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 amRegistration and brunch
11.45 amMusical framework
12 pmOpening of the conference by Peter Hanke, Executive City Councillor for Finance, Economic Affairs, Labour, International Affairs and Vienna Public Utilities
12.15 pmWelcome address by Wolfgang Müller, Deputy Head of Municipal Department, Head of Division for Organisation and Security
12.30 pmKeynote: 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 pmInput: 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 pmPanel 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 pmPanel 2: Challenges for public transportation
Ivana Vukasovic, Wiener Linien; Roman Hahslinger, Chief Security Officer at ÖBB; two international participants
2.20 pmPanel 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 pmCoffee break


Threat scenarios

3.30 pmInput: Current threat scenarios using the example of the New Year's Eve Trail  – Michael Domkar, Manager of Michael Domkar GmbH
3.45 pmPanel 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 pmBreak


Communication

4.30 pmInput: The do`s and dont`s of crisis communication  – Martin Schipany, Municipal Department 53 – Communication and Media
5 pmPanel 1: Event communication 
Paul Weis, Manager of Stadt Wien Marketing; Johanna Wiesholzer, Wiener Linien; two international participants
5.40 pmPanel 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 pmTeaser on the Danube Island Festival – Matthias Friedrich, Manager of ProEvent, Organiser of the Danube Island Festival
6.30 pmGet-together 

 

Day 2, 21. June 2024

8.45 amArrival of participants on the Danube Island, Danube Island parking (Floridsdorferbrücke)
9 amSecurity Control Centre, contact person: Herbert Wagner
Topics: Overall concept, security und project anker, best practice examples
9.45 amAmbulance 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 amVienna Professional Fire Department, contact person: Peter Kroiss
Topics: operation statistics, biggest challenges und vehicle presentation
11 amPolice
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 amMainstage and backstage 
12 pmWrap-up and Lunch in the backstage area
1.30 pmPick-up of participants from the Danube Island 

Speakers

© Dominik Fritz

Dominik Fritz

Dominik Fritz joined the Vienna Fire Department/Fire Station City Hall in 2009. In the beginnings he was part of the main crew. Besides the work he graduated from the engineering evening class to fit the requirements for the officers school within the Vienna Fire Department. He additionally has been active as a paramedic for an ambulance organisation. He collected valuable experiences during a lot of major events like the Donauinselfest and many of about 2.000 events per year inside the Vienna City Hall and on the Townhall square.

© Landespolizeidirektion Wien

Michael Holzgruber

Michael Holzgruber ist seit 1991 Exekutivbediensteter in Wien – davon 20 Jahre als Polizeioffizier mit Leitungsfunktionen in verschiedenen Wiener Bezirken und dem Aufgabenschwerpunkt der polizeilichen Einsatzplanung an Hotspots im öffentlichen Raum. Berufsbegleitend absolvierte er den Masterstudiengang "Strategisches Sicherheitsmanagement". In seiner Funktion als Stadtpolizeikommandant in Wien-Floridsdorf ist er seit vier Jahren auch polizeilicher Einsatzkommandant beim Donauinselfest, bei dem an jedem Einsatztag mehr als 600 Exekutivbedienstete in zehn Einsatzabschnitten für die Sicherheit der Veranstaltung und ihrer Besucher*innen sorgen.

© Peter Kroiss

Peter Kroiss

Peter Kroiss ist seit 2009 Einsatzoffizier bei der Berufsfeuerwehr Wien und ist seit 2014 zuständiger Leiter für die Bereiche Wasserdienst, Tauchdienst und Hochwasserschutz in der Bundeshauptstadt. Ebenfalls seit 2014 obliegt ihm die Gesamteinsatzleitung der eingesetzten Feuerwehrkräfte beim Donauinselfest, dem größten Open-Air-Festival der Welt. Seit 2022 leitet er überdies das Sachgebiet "Wasserwehr & Tauchdienst" im Österreichischen Bundesfeuerwehrverband, dem Dachverband aller Feuerwehren in Österreich.

© Foto Wilke

Wolfgang Müller

 Wolfgang Müller ist Leiter des Geschäftsbereiches für Organisation und Sicherheit in der Magistratsdirektion der Stadt Wien und Magistratsdirektor-Stellvertreter. Während der Fußball-Europameisterschaft 2008, der Flüchtlingskrise 2015 und der Corona-Pandemie war er Krisenmanager beziehungsweise Einsatzleiter der Stadt Wien. Dieselbe Funktion hatte er 2022/23 im Ukraine-Flüchtlingsmanagement sowie im Thema Energieversorgungssicherheit inne. Gute Kommunikation und Zusammenarbeit sind für ihn wichtige Erfolgsfaktoren für die Bewältigung von Krisen. Die Vernetzung aller Einsatzstrukturen der Stadt ist ihm daher ein persönliches Anliegen.

© Peter Strobl

Erwin Scheidl

Mr. Scheidl studied at the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, specialising in cultural engineering and water management. From 1984 – 2021, he worked at the Municipality of the City of Vienna and Wiener Linien in the area of underground railway construction. From 2007, he has been in a senior position in the "Planning, Construction and Project Management" Department; later, he held a position in "Civil Engineering and Major Project Management". He has been a member of the Arbeiter-Samariter-Bund since 1984 and as well as Chairman of ASB "Floridsdorf-Donaustadt" since 2000. Mr. Scheidl has been an employee at the Danube Island Festival since 40 years. He has been Head of Operations for the rescue service at the Danube Island Festival for more than 30 years.

© Wiener Linien

Ivana Vukasovic

Ivana Vukasovic has been working for Wiener Linien since 2009 and is responsible for the strategic planning and management of safety-related operational measures. In close coordination with authorities, such as the Vienna Police Department and MD-OS, she and her team are involved in preparing operational and disaster plans and act as the first point of contact at events and demonstrations. In her function as deputy rail operations manager in accordance with Article 21 General Railway Act, she is responsible for the safety and order of Wiener Linien's operations.

© Luiza Puiu

Johanna Wiesholzer

Johanna Wiesholzer has been working for Wiener Linien for 15 years and she has been Head of the Operations Management Department as well as Head of Operational Management Rail since 2021. In her function as Operations Manager in accordance with Article 21 General Railway Act, she is responsible for the safety and order of all tram and underground operations, with the focus at all times being on the safety of Wiener Linien's customers and employees with the aim of keeping public transport in Vienna running in all situations.