Expo Dubai 2020 ends on March 31, 2022 after six months. From the Austrian point of view, the balance is more than gratifying
Vienna (OTS) – The first Expo in the Arab world took place under the motto “Connecting Minds, Creating the Future”. Austria’s appearance also showcased sustainable solutions to shape the future together. The extraordinary Austria Pavilion registered 1.2 million visits. 73.5 percent of the pavilion visitors surveyed said that their image of Austria had changed positively as a result of the presentation at the Expo. The advertising value of participation in the Austrian Expo is over 14 million euros. New contacts and cooperation also mean that Austria’s economy can look forward to a bright future.
historic
Expo 2020 in Dubai was an event of superlatives and the first major international event during the pandemic with around 21 million visitors. A forum Austria could use for itself. “Austria was able to successfully present itself as a place of innovation and show that sustainability and digitalization go hand in hand and complement each other”, emphasized Economy Minister Margarete Schramböck, and further: “Our aim was to strengthen the position of the United Arab States Emirates as Austria’s largest trading partner in expanding the Gulf region. Austria and our companies were able to use this great international stage as an impressive business card. In addition to the more than 50 companies that presented their innovations on iLab – the knowledge platform inside the Austria Pavilion – Austrian technologies were also present in another 16 pavilions in the country, the Expo Shops, as well as the Civil Defense and Deep Tunnel Storm Water System at the Expo site.” A total of more than 100 Austrian companies are involved in the Austrian participation in the EXPO, at the Expo site or in other pavilions with orders.
Austrian delegations
Despite Covid-related travel restrictions, around 30 business and political delegations visited the world expo as part of Austria’s presence at the Expo. Including the largest ever business delegation in the UAE. The Austria Pavilion served as a popular venue. “Domestic delegations are an important signal for business interests in the UAE. Austria’s efficiency can be pointed out in official engagements during the Expo period. The “Made in Austria” innovations convinced international business partners, which is why numerous cooperations could be discussed and initiated”, emphasizes Mariana Kühnel, Deputy Secretary General of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ).
The Expo also played host to six major Austrian events. The list ranges from Nations Day, the Austria Connect Golf Conference and the Start-up Landing Zone, which took place in November, to Future of Work, Business & Art in January and Austria-Rwanda Fashion Connect in March. “The Austria Connect Golf Conference on the occasion of the Day of Nations at the Expo, which was attended by 330 participants, can definitely be seen as a highlight”, emphasizes Kühnel.
During the six months of the Expo, nine fairs were held in different areas with Austrian participation: Gulf Traffic, Gulfood Manufacturing, Dubai Design Week, Arab Plast, Intersec, Arab Health, Medlab, Gulfood, Middle East Energy.
Visitors from politics, business and culture
More than a million people visited the Austria Pavilion, 100,000 of them were served at the Austrian cafe and ordered 25,000 coffees, 20,000 desserts – with 25 percent opting for a Kaiserschmarren – and 13,000 Wiener Schnitzel. In total, more than 400 individual visits to the pavilions were completed. Among the guests were local and international celebrities from politics, business and culture. In addition to former United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, Federal Ministers Margarete Schramböck and Elisabeth Köstinger also visited the pavilion. Personal visits from National Council President Wolfgang Sobotka, Salzburg Governor Wilfried Haslauer and WKO President Harald Mahrer are among the highlights.
The UAE’s visitor list is particularly impressive: it includes Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Ruler of Dubai and Prime Minister of the UAE, Minister of Industry Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nayan , Education Minister Hussein Bin Ibrahim Al Hammadi and many more
award-winning pavilion
The heart of Austria’s presence at the Expo was the spectacular pavilion, which was very well received by visitors. In a survey, 96.50% of visitors said they would recommend the pavilion. The 38 white concrete conical towers were inspired by the historic wind towers and climate-regulating properties of Arab adobe architecture. In conjunction with Austria’s innovative air conditioning technology, the pavilion consumes 70% less energy than conventionally air-conditioned buildings in the region.
With their concept, the general planning team around querkraft architekten under the direction of Gerd Erhartt in cooperation with Ars Electronica Solutions, Büro Wien and the graphic studio bleed clearly stood out from the usual Expo architecture made of steel and glass. Never before has an Austrian pavilion received so many awards during the Expo period. This makes the striking white building the most successful domestic pavilion in terms of number of awards.
Official Awards from EXPO 2020 Participants: The pavilion was awarded the Silver Award in the “Architecture & Landscape” category by the International Exhibition Bureau (BIE).
Global Architecture and Design Awards 2021: In September, querkraft architekten’s general planning team received the renowned Global Architecture & Design Award 2021 in the “Sustainable Architecture” category.
BLT Built Design Award 2021: The pavilion was the winner in the “Sustainable & Energy Saving” and “Jury’s Favorite in Architectural Design” category. German Design Award 2022: The German Design Council awarded the pavilion a Special Mention from the German Design Awards 2022 in the category “Excellent Architecture – Eco Design”.
Exhibitor Magazine World Expo Awards: The Austria Pavilion took first place in the “Best Sustainable Design” category and was nominated for the “Public Choice Award”.
Austrian Green Planet Building Award: This award, which goes to outstanding energy-efficient buildings in an international environment dedicated to climate protection, was also awarded to querkraft’s Austria Pavilion.
“The pavilion was designed completely differently from the classic architecture of trade fairs in order to emphasize Austria’s clear commitment to climate protection and technology,” explains EU government commissioner Beatrix Karl.
“The building pays homage to the host country and deliberately departs from Austrian architectural clichés. The skillful use of technology made possible a holistic experience, which allowed visitors to experience the pavilion as a place of peace and strength,” continues Beatrix Karl.
There is already a specific concept for the further use of the Expo website called “district 2020”, which will become the new innovation hub in Dubai.
Austria at the World Exhibition ‒ www.expoaustria.at
The Austria Pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai – which has kept its original name despite being pushed back to 2021 – relies on the creative use of digitization and showcases Austrian innovations as part of the exhibition inside the pavilion, organized by Ars Electronica Solutions and büro Vienna is cured. Architectural firm querkraft is building a pavilion that combines archaic Arab wind towers with contemporary air conditioning technology to create a playful sign against climate-damaging waste. The national contribution is funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Economic Affairs and the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
The budget of 17.8 million euros for the entire project (construction costs, maintenance, personnel, program, communication) can be reduced. Of these, 8.6 million euros are for construction, a budget comparable to that of Switzerland, while the German Pavilion, as a larger project, costs 58 million euros (PWK139/MK).
Questions and contact:
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Federal Ministry of Business Digitization and Localization
Kathrin Schriefer, Bakk. fil.
press secretary
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EXPO WKO office
Mag. Helmut Doller
project Manager
T +43 590 900-4052
And [email protected]
www.expoaustria.at
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