HOFBURG Vienna flying high

The HOFBURG Vienna has already hosted some 40 conferences and meetings for 16,000 delegates this year, despite cancellations and rescheduling caused by the volcanic ash cloud. International banquets and exhibitions are showing strong potential, while a surge in inquiries points towards a bright future.

“2010 has been a turbulent year for the event industry due to the volcano eruption in Iceland and the subsequent lockdown of European airspace,” explains HOFBURG Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler. In all, six international conferences and banquet events were rescheduled from April to June and autumn 2010.

The First High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU-Energy Partnership will now take place on 14 and 15 September. Overall, Mrs Danler is very satisfied with the year so far. With around 40 conferences and meetings attracting 16,000 delegates, the conference centre is close to matching last year’s outstanding success. “We expect this segment to generate 35,000 to 40,000 overnight stays for the city’s tourism industry,” she notes. Like the spring, autumn is a particularly busy time.

The 27th Congress of the German Speaking Professional Association of Arthroscopy (AGA) (9-11 September) will overlap with the International Association for Literature and Art’s Study Days (10-11 September). During this period the former imperial residence will be welcoming around 1,600 delegates.

The AVUS meeting (23-24 September) and the Austrian Dental Conference (30 September-2 October) will each draw 600-800 delegates.

The IACA Conference (2-3 September) and the 3rd Annual Dialogue on Multi-level Protection and Promotion of Fundamental Rights (26 November) will transform the Hofburg into a global political forum.

This year demand for gala evenings and banquet events is strong. “We expect this segment to account for 14-15 percent of revenue, up two or three percentage points on last year,” says Mrs Danler. Traditional events such as Una Notte Sportiva (24 September), Entrepreneur Of The Year (14 October) and the Falstaff Rotwein Gala (7 December) will this year be joined by the inaugural Initiative Nein zu Arm und Krank (No to poverty and disease) matinee (3 October). Christmas parties are also extremely popular, accounting for 15 bookings in total. Other highlights include the numerous trade-only and public fairs such as access 2010, the leading platform for congresses, meetings and incentives (4-5 October), the Wohndesign furniture show (14-17 October), and the Fair for Art and Antiques (6-14 November). Including LUXURY, please (19- 21 November), these events will see around 40,000 visitors converge on the Hofburg. Revenue for the current year is forecasted at almost EUR 10 million, with added value of about EUR 190 million.

Although the overall trend in the event industry is towards short-notice bookings, Mrs Danler is optimistic about the future. “We have taken bookings for ten large scale conferences and meetings in 2011 and are fielding increasing numbers of inquiries,” she points out. The latest acquisitions include a Russian conference for January and the Austrian Ear, Nose and Throat Congress in September 2011. Meanwhile two further medical conferences have been booked for the years after that. In September 2012 the HOFBURG Vienna will host 1,000 delegates of a neurological conference, followed by around 1,400 physicians at an immunology conference in autumn 2015.

The tourist flow from Russia to Czech Republic increased by 14%

ATOR Analytical Service made a presentation based on the data of Czech Statistics Office and TOURMARKET.INFO monitoring system of the price of competitors.

As a result of the first six months of the year, Russian market took the 2nd place (6.6%) in general rating of arrivals of foreigners to Czech Republic, ceding to Germany (22%) and taking the lead over Poland (6.1%), the UK (5.9%) and Italy (5.7%). The tourist flow from Russia increased by 14% during the first six months of 2010 and amounted to 184 thousand people. The number of the nights of the Russians increased by 13.2%. As for the number of the nights during the first six months of the year, the Russian market also takes the 2nd place with the indicator of 12% after the Germans (26%).

The average duration of stay of the Russians in the hotels amounted to 5.2 nights during the first six months of the year. More than 84% of the Russians stayed in the hotels of Prague and Karlovy Vary.

The analysis of the demand for the tours to Czech Republic based on statistics of TourMarket.Info

Czech Republic took the 13th place in number of the visitors of TopHotels.ru website with the share of 1.4%. The number of the visitors interested in Czech Republic increased by 40% during the period from January to July 2010 in comparison with the same period of last year (157 thousand in 2010 and 110 thousand in 2009).

Czech Republic took the 15th place (with the share of 0.8%) in number of the requests in TourIndex system during the period from January to July 2010. The number of processing requests increased by 60% during the first seven months of 2010 in comparison with the same period of last year (40 thousand in 2010 and 25 thousand in 2009).

The most popular tour operators in TourIndex system

The first place takes LantaTour Voyage with the share of 14%. Then goes AvroraIntur (10.6%), TravelLand (9.7%), Neva (9.4%), Capital Tour (8.5%), Russian Express (8.1%), NTK Intourist (5.7%), Intravel-Stoleshniki (5.3%), BSI Group (4.4.%) and Sunrise tour (4.1%).

According to ATOR survey, Russian tour operators note, that the demand for the tours to Czech Republic has increased this year. source: www.atorus.ru

Bookings boom – Reservations through to 2014

While short-notice bookings were the order of the day at the start of the year, the past few weeks have brought long-term reservations for larger events. “We have recently secured four international meetings with 400-800 delegates and a congress with over 1,000 attendees for 2011 and after,” said a delighted Hofburg Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler. These acquisitions will raise Vienna’s profile as a business and science location, and will generate over 13,000 overnight stays. The reservations include the International Congress on Prevention of Congenital Diseases (12-14 May 2011; 400 physicians), theCongress of the European Society for Animal Cell Technology(ESACT, 15-18 May 2011; 800 experts) and the Austrian Ear, Nose and Throat Congress (HNO, 14-17 September 2011; 650 delegates). And a jubilee conference to mark the 400th anniversary of the Barmherzige Brüder will bring about 1,000 healthcare professionals to the Hofburg in May 2014.

With business in 2010 shaping up very well it is not just future bookings that give grounds for optimism. In autumn 2010 three prestigious gala events will be coming to the Hofburg Vienna. The imperial staterooms will provide the setting when Austria’s Leading Companies are honoured on 4 November, and the country’s best red wines are chosen at the Falstaff Rotweingala(Falstaff Red Wine Gala) on 7 December. The Redoutensaele will roll out the red carpet for the Uhrengala (watch gala) on 9 December. “Austrian and international banquets and gala evenings account for 10-15 percent of our revenue,” Danler noted. Taken together, all segments are forecast to generate revenue of almost EUR 10 million and added value of about EUR 190 million in 2010.

OSCE conference seat- Hofburg at the heart of international politics

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe(OSCE) has had its permanent conference seat at the Hofburg Vienna for over 20 years. 1,500 delegates from 56 participating states and 12 partners for co-operation meet here annually for 3,000 meetings, transforming the Hofburg into a global political hub. In 2010 Kazakhstan took over the chairmanship of the OSCE and has already hosted a number of high-level diplomatic summits. The majority of delegates stay in the Austrian capital with their families for a period of around three years. There are about 800 accredited diplomats living in the city at any one time. Such long-standing partnerships as well as the congress and events business enable the Hofburg Vienna to generate added value of about EUR 180-200 million annually.

But the professionalism of the Hofburg staff has also convinces countless other high-profile organisations to return for their events time and again. High-level meetings and seminars by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) take place at the conference centre, and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) hosts its annual ball and a number of meetings at the former imperial residence. ThePreparatory Commission for the Comprehensive nuclear-test-ban treaty organization (CTBTO ) is another organisation in the Hofburg’s portfolio.

HOFBURG Vienna posts strong results

Strong performance in 2009 and bright outlook for year ahead

Vienna Convention Bureau makes major impact as EIBTM sponsor

The Vienna Tourist Board‘s Vienna Convention Bureau acted as sole sponsor of the Association Program at EIBTM (European Incentive, Business Travel and Meeting) in Barcelona in December. Not only was the bureau highly praised for the quality of the events

AUSTRIAN city breaks and nature holidays in Fitur 2010

AUSTRIA will make the most of its participation in FITUR’s 30th anniversary edition by launching its 2010 Holidays in Austria brochure, crammed with ideas for city and nature breaks and the enormous range of possibilities offered by its more than 22,000 kilometres of ski slopes.

50 travel companies have collaborated with AUSTRIA in the making of this 64-page brochure which sets out the numerous activities that the country offers its visitors: mountain trails, imperial and palatial routes, gastronomical, hotel and cultural tours, all revolving around some of the most modern museums in Europe and the more than 10,000 events this central European country has lined up for 2010.

The cultural activities that AUSTRIA will be presenting in FITUR 2010 will be primarily centred on the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gustav Mahler, the composer and conductor. There will be an exhibition in Vienna which will open the doors of the recently restored and inaugurated first-floor salons of the Theatermuseum.

Vienna will also be presenting itself in FITUR as a shopping destination – the city’s elegant commercial streets contain more than 20,000 shops and newboutiques and the Shop&win initiative will be giving away thousands of Euros to shoppers in purchases and trips to the Austrian capital.

The city of Graz will be presenting both its authentic farmers’ markets which are to be found in various parts of the city and its gastronomic delights, amongst which the Styrian Wine Route is particularly attractive. Innsbrück, the capital of the Tyrol, will be presenting its full range of walking tours and cultural activities.

In this edition of FITUR Salzburg will be introducing its new Culinary Route which includes seven gastronomic proposals, scattered throughout a region that will also be promoting its Alpine Wellness programme which combines nature, health and wellbeing.

MCI holds annual meeting in Vienna to mark longstanding partnership with Vienna Convention Bureau

The Vienna Convention Bureau chalked up its 40th anniversary this year, and chose to celebrate this occasion with – amongst others – a longstanding partner of particular importance to its success. It therefore invited MCI, the world’s largest agency in the congress and corporate convention sector, to hold its 2009 annual general meeting in Vienna, and also acted as a sponsor of this event. Over 500 representatives from MCI offi ces from all over the globe travelled to Vienna for this occasion in Vienna this December.

Everybody waltz! Spotlight on ball events at the Hofburg

“With 50,000 to 55,000 guests, which is about one in six of all visitors to the Hofburg Vienna, the 17 traditional balls are among the most popular of all the events held at the Hofburg and they also have the highest public profile. That was reason enough to take a closer look at the economic impact of the Viennese ball season in the first half of 2009,” explains Hofburg Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler.

The findings of a study on the attractiveness and economic impact of balls at the Hofburg speak for themselves. “In all, these events generate value added amounting to about EUR 10 million,” Mrs. Danler notes. Ballgoers spend EUR 196 on average, the lion’s share (37.6 %) is a accounted for by food and drink, followed by tickets (25.7 %) and clothing (14.5 %). Transport and styling complete the list of top five expenses. Balls are also an attractive prospect for the city’s hotels. “Around 85 percent of ballgoers come from Austria. After Vienna, where around half of all Austrian ball guests live, Lower Austria and Upper Austria account for the largest share of domestic visitors. About 15 percent of visitors come from abroad,” says Mrs. Danler. About 45 percent of ballgoers from outside Vienna stayed in the capital for one night and some 35 percent for two or three nights, with the remainder staying three nights or longer. Contrary to expectations, the global economic crisis and Austrian anti-corruption legislation had virtually no impact on visitor spending in 2009. In fact just one third of respondents reported any changes in spending, with around 80 percent indicating that they had actually spent more than in previous years.

“We are really looking forward to the 2010 ball season which promises a number of building and equipment upgrades,” announces Mrs. Danler. The traditional ball events feature innovative concepts aimed at heightening the visitor experience through the use of live multimedia broadcasts, ambient lighting and entertaining show acts. “We have a new double redundant sound system in the Festsaal and we are working with environmentally-friendly LED lighting,” says Danler. The Hofburg Vienna and Burghauptmannschaft Österreich have invested about EUR 3 million in technology, security and equipment at the Hofburg in 2009.

A summary of the study findings is available here.

40th Kaiserball – ring in the New Year in the Hofburg Vienna

The 2009 Kaiserball will be held under the banner of “The Gipsy Baron” to mark the 125th anniversary of the premiere of Johann Strauss’ operetta masterpiece. The music will include Hungarian rhythms alongside classic Viennese waltzes. “We are delighted that Prince Anton II Esterházy will be leading the Lipizzan mounted Hussars as they welcome our guests at the main entrance to the Hofburg,” said Renate Danler, Managing Director of the Hofburg Vienna.

The highlight of the ball is the hour-long Imperial New Year’s Gala. Starting at midnight, guests will be treated to singers and dancers from Austria’s best known stages, the ringing of the Pummerin bell and a rendition of the Blue Danube waltz to welcome the New Year. And of course visitors are expected to raise a toast to the Imperial couple. This year guests are invited to join in the popular quadrille with music from “The Gipsy Baron”.

This special anniversary also provides an opportunity to look back over the past 40 years. The Kaiserball has hosted visitors from more than 60 different countries as far afield as Chile, Ethiopia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Alaska. “We will be giving a very special welcome to our 100,000th guest at the 40th jubilee 2009 Kaiserball,” Ms Danler reveals.

The former imperial residence provided the enchanting backdrop for a new television series about Empress Sisi, underlining the combination of tradition and modernity found at the Hofburg and the Kaiserball. Herbert Fischerauer, who was appointed artistic director of the Kaiserball two years ago, brings new vision to the event. He is a master at combining traditional and new programme highlights to ensures that the Kaiserball is always a unique experience. The 2009 Kaiserball will feature upbeat disco rhythms at the Court Dance Palace for visitors to dance into the small hours. Elmayer dance school will choreograph the traditional opening polonaise for the first time. Experience an unforgettable New Year’s Eve and book online today at www.kaiserball.com.

Make your holidays in our beautiful city even more convenient with the all-inclusive Innsbruck Card!

The Innsbruck Card is your passport to all the most important sights in the city, including a number of interesting museums and galleries, such as the Hofburg Imperial Palace, the Tiroler Landesmuseen and the Bell Museum. Also included is a visit to the glittering Swarovski Crystal World in Wattens, and to the Museum of Coins and Minting in Hall. The Innsbruck Card also grants you access to the Alpine Zoo and the new Bergisel Ski Jump Stadium, and invites you to enjoy an entertaining, fascinating city walk with the “Per Pedes” city guides who know all about our fascinating local history.

As a special highlight, we suggest a ride on the Innsbrucker Nordkettenbahnen cable cars and lifts, which offer you a breathtaking experience that combines outstanding contemporary architecture with a daring ascent. Imagine; in just twenty minutes, our amazing cable cars can take you from the romance and tinsel of the beautiful City Centre of Innsbruck to snow-covered Alpine peaks!

Come to Innsbruck this Christmas season to see, smell and taste the holidays-and bring some of Innsbruck home with you. Innsbruck’s Christmas markets rank among the finest in the Alpine region. And it can all be yours for just € 25,00

Click here for more details www.innsbruck.info

Vienna lands 2013 World Congress of Neurology

With the World Congress of Neurology, the largest scientific convention for neurologists in the world, Vienna has landed yet another major congress. Some 10,000 delegates are expected to attend the event from Se xpected September 22 ptember 22-27, 2013, at Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center Center. Vienna was selected in direct competition with Helsinki and Valencia.

“Vienna’s successful bid for this congress further reinforces our city’s reputation as a city of science. In economic terms, the city will benefit from around 50,000 additional overnights and a contribution to GDP of around 25 million euros,” enthused Christian Mutschlechner, Director of the Vienna Tourist Board’s Vienna Convention Bureau.

The decisive factors behind Vienna’s success were the outstanding collaboration between the Austrian Society of Neurology, the Austrian delegate to the World Federation of Neurology, Professor Wolfgang Grisold, and Ulrike von Arnold, who has been handling the competition for the Vienna Convention Bureau from the word go. Another benefit of Vienna’s successful bid is that the European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS) has decided to combine its
annual congress in 2013 with the World Congress of Neurology in Vienna.

“The decision for Vienna is a feather in the cap of Austrian neurology, which has some outstanding accomplishments to its name in many areas, even by international standards. Furthermore, Vienna is one of the most important congress cities in the world and has often been the choice venue for international neurology congresses,” commented Michael Ackerl, President of the Austrian Society of Neurology.

Historic Conference Centres of Europe Joins Forces with HOFBURG Vienna at Local Client Event: ‘HOFBURG Lounge’

On 12 November 2009, around 170 attendees enjoyed the client event ‘HOFBURG Lounge’ held at one of HCCE’s most renowned member centres, the HOFBURG Vienna. The event stood out as being the first client event in which representatives from other HCCE member centres were invited to participate and present their services in a relaxed and social way.
The event took place in the structurally unique hall “Dachfoyer” and the evening began with a welcome speech by Mrs Renate Danler, Managing Director of the Hofburg: “I sincerely thank you all for being here tonight and sharing this distinctive event with us. It is our intention to bring an international feeling to the Hofburg and give our local clients the chance to receive exclusive and first-hand information from our fellow HCCE members present here today.”
The impeccably organized event boasted a fantastic buffet which took guests on a culinary journey through Europe. Likewise, a prize draw was organized giving clients the opportunity to animatedly converse with HCCE members and find out more about them. Mr Michael Sharp, President of HCCE and Mrs Renate Danler drew the lucky winner who won an exciting weekend break in Amsterdam.
The event culminated with music played by a DJ turning the soft selling evening into an enjoyable dancing session. All guests agreed that they were definitely able to witness Viennese charm and hospitality.

A Unique Quality Brand – Historic Conference Centres of Europe
The one of its kind association – HCCE – spans the length and breadth of Europe. Its conference centres are architectural highlights from the Middle Ages to the early 20th Century. The venues contribute atmosphere and inspiration to a variety of events. All offer memorable settings and modern convention technology. The HCCE membership is a recognised quality seal in the meetings industry based on longstanding professional services with a personal touch offered by all venues.

Viennese balls at the Hofburg – Summary of a study on attractiveness and economic impact

Balls at the HOFBURG Vienna deliver a 7 to 10 million Euro stimulus to the Austrian economy. Despite the prevailing economic climate the average spend is EUR 196 per person and ball. Increasing numbers of foreign visitors (15 % of total) and ballgoers from outside Vienna (32 %) are attending the traditional Viennese balls at the Hofburg.

Background information
The 17 traditional Viennese balls at the HOFBURG Vienna draw 50,000 to 55,000 visitors to the city in January and February each year. Each ball brings between 2,500 and 5,500 dance enthusiasts to the imperial venue — reason enough to take a closer look at the economic impact of the Viennese ball season in the first half of 2009. The HOFBURG Vienna commissioned a study by Krems Research and students at the IMC FH Krems University of Applied Sciences on the attractiveness and economic impact of balls at the Hofburg. The empirical research involved interviewing a sample of 550 attendees of six representative balls. These included large events such as the Kaffeesiederball (Coffeehouse Owners’ Ball) and the Jägerball (Hunters’ Ball), those of professional and interest group associations such as the Wiener Ärzteball (Viennese Physicians’ Ball) and the Hofburg Gala der Wiener Wirtschaft (Hofburg Gala of Viennese Commerce), and student balls like BOKU-Ball (ball of the Viennese University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences) and the Rudolfina Redoute. The survey yielded insights into guests’ countries and regions of origin, reasons for attendance and spending habits. Visitors were also asked about the impact of the global economic crisis and new Austrian anti-corruption legislation. “A detailed economic impact study shows the importance of the Hofburg balls not just for the tourist industry but also for the economy as a whole, while the sociological analyses shed light on their social role,” explained HOFBURG Vienna Managing Director Renate Danler. Among the interesting findings is the fact that, while the ball season as such is highly popular,whether the Hofburg is the venue plays a key part in the choice of event and in guests’ satisfaction.

Study findings

Country of origin and overnight stays
Almost 85 per cent of guests attending balls at the HOFBURG Vienna come from Austria. Half are from Vienna (primarily the 1st, 13th and 19th districts), followed by Lower Austria (17 % of all Austrian visitors), Upper Austria (about 7 %) and Styria (3 to 4 %). The remaining 15 per cent are from countries all over the world, with Germany accounting for the largest share (over 55 % of foreign guests). The UK and USA (each 7 %), Italy and Switzerland (each 5 %) were also well represented. Over 21% were from other EU member states and further afield (e.g. Australia and Canada).

About 45 per cent of ballgoers from outside Vienna stayed in the capital for one night and some 35 per cent for two to three nights. Approximately 20 per cent of the total stayed longer (four nights or more), giving a big boost to the hotel and tourist industries. Alongside private invitations (over 60 %) visitors from outside Vienna chiefly used four star accommodation (over 16 %) followed by five and three star hotels (each about 10%). There was little call for pensions and inns (just under 1% combined). A look at incoming and outgoing travel shows that 5 per cent travelled by air, 15 per cent by rail and other public transport, and 40 to 55 per cent by taxi.

Spending
Total spending at balls held at the Hofburg amounted to over 10 million Euros, or an average of € 196 per ballgoer. Food and beverages accounted for the largest share of expenditure (37 %), followed by ball tickets and table reservations (25 %). Clothing (14 %) and transport (12.3 %) were other significant outlays, while hairdressing and accommodation ranked fifth and sixth (3.9 % and 3.6 %, respectively). Since the analysis excludes complimentary tickets it is likely that total expenditure was in fact higher.

The global economic crisis and anti-corruption legislation
Before the survey was conducted in early 2009 the global economic crisis and Austrian anti-corruption legislation were expected to have a negative impact on visitor spending. However this was not found to be the case. About 70 per cent of all ballgoers spent the same amount as before. Of the respondents who reported a change in their spending, some 80 per cent actually spent more at the Hofburg balls than in previous years, and a only 15 per cent indicated that they had spent less. Respondents were not asked about the reasons for changes in spending.

Economic impact of Viennese balls at the Hofburg
Krems Research was able to calculate the impact of balls held at HOFBURG Vienna on Austrian and Viennese GDP on the basis of the visitor spending statistics. The average spend was € 196.80 per person. This translates induced GDP of € 258.30 and value added of € 145.60 per person at national level. The total value added generated by balls held at Hofburg amounted to 7.5 million Euros, while regional value added for Vienna was 10.2 million Euro or € 198.40 per guest.

Over 50 per cent of value added in Vienna was accounted for by public and personal services, followed by retail distribution and consumer goods (22 %), equipment leasing and business-related services (13 %). Transportation and accommodation ranked fourth and fifth (approximately 4.2 % and 3.6 %, respectively).

Reasons for attendance — entertainment ahead of networking
An interesting aspect of the study is the findings on visitors’ reasons for attending one of the 17 balls at the Hofburg. Over half of the respondents (51 %) cited entertainment as their chief motive for attending, followed by dancing (45 %) and social contacts (27 %). Around a quarter of those asked indicated that their attendance was not purely for private reasons, citing business (16 %) or professional (9 %) commitments. This suggests that balls held at the HOFBURG Vienna are not just important in terms of social encounters, and business and customer contacts also play a major part. Accompanying persons, too, reflected this trend. More than five per cent were accompanying colleagues, and almost three per cent were attending with business partners or their firms. Many visitors cited their appreciation of Viennese ball traditions (16 %) or of the unique atmosphere of the Hofburg (9 %) as their reason for attending.

40th Kaiserball Where tradition meets modernity

On 31 December 2009 the HOFBURG Vienna is set to host the 40th Kaiserball. This year’s event will draw 2,500 guests from all over the world and welcome its 100,000th visitor. Founder of the Esterházy Hussars, Prince Anton II Esterházy, will lead the special anniversary celebrations which are themed “The Gipsy Baron” this year. Artistic director Herbert Fischerauer will provide an exciting new feature with the Court Dance Palace.

The 2009 Kaiserball will be held under the banner of “The Gipsy Baron” to mark the 125th anniversary of the premiere of Johann Strauss’ operetta masterpiece. The music will include Hungarian rhythms alongside classic Viennese waltzes. “We are delighted that Prince Anton II Esterházy will be leading the Lipizzan mounted Hussars as they welcome our guests at the main entrance to the Hofburg,” said Renate Danler, Managing Director of the HOFBURG Vienna. The highlight of the ball is the hour-long Imperial New Year’s Gala. Starting at midnight, guests will be treated to singers and dancers from Austria’s best known stages, the ringing of the Pummerin bell and a rendition of the Blue Danube waltz to welcome the New Year. And of course visitors are expected to raise a toast to the Imperial couple. This year guests are invited to join in the popular quadrille with music from “The Gipsy Baron”.

This special anniversary also provides an opportunity to look back over the past 40 years. The Kaiserball has hosted visitors from more than 60 different countries as far afield as Chile, Ethiopia, Indonesia, New Zealand and Alaska. “We will be giving a very special welcome to our 100,000th guest at the 40th jubilee 2009 Kaiserball,” Ms Danler reveals. The former imperial residence provided the enchanting backdrop for a new television series about Empress Sisi, underlining the combination of tradition and modernity found at the Hofburg and the Kaiserball. Herbert Fischerauer, who was appointed artistic director of the Kaiserball two years ago, brings new vision to the event. He is a master at combining traditional and new programme highlights to ensures that the Kaiserball is always a unique experience. The 2009 Kaiserball will feature upbeat disco rhythms at the Court Dance Palace for visitors to dance into the small hours. Elmayer dance school will choreograph the traditional opening polonaise for the first time.

A 500-strong team will be working to make the anniversary Kaiserball an unforgettable evening. In addition to 200 artists – including soloists from the Vienna State Opera and Volksoper – and 50 cloakroom attendants, technicians, stewards and event organisers, there will be around 250 liveried waiters and waitresses. More than 1,300 gala dinners, 700 bottles of champagne and 800 bottles of wine await the dinner guests.