Description
On 9 September 2025, the Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism (BMWET) organises the Annual Conference of the National Cluster Platform in Vienna. Under the motto “One Day. One Topic. One Strong Community.”, this year’s event focuses entirely on the question of how clusters can serve as an effective model for economic transformation and resilience.
The conference brings together leading representatives from business, research, politics, and public administration – both nationally and at the European level. Especially in times of global upheaval, it becomes clear: clusters are key drivers of innovation, cross-sectoral cooperation, and regional strength.
What to Expect
A diverse program awaits participants – with high-level keynotes, hands-on workshops, and plenty of opportunities for exchange and networking:
Federal Minister Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer will open the conference and, in his welcome address, underline the strategic importance of clusters for Austria as a business location.
Keynotes with a European and national focus
- Mariella Masselink, Head of the “Industrial Forum, Alliances and Clusters” Unit at the European Commission, will speak about the new role of clusters in Europe’s industrial transformation – with reference to the Competitiveness Compass.
- DI Roland Sommer, Managing Director of the Industry 4.0 Austria Association, will provide insights into the Austrian Industrial Strategy and the role of clusters.
- Dr. Jan-Philip Kramer, Head of EU Services and Partner at PROGNOS AG, will demonstrate how clusters can build resilience and actively shape transformation – with concrete best-practice examples.
Workshops on current hot topics in cluster and network activities
Three parallel workshops invite participants to engage and contribute:
- Mission-Driven Clusters – How can clusters be aligned with societal objectives? (Dr. Matthias Weber, Austrian Institute of Technology and Michael Ploder, Joanneum Research).
- Innovation Map – An interactive journey of discovery into visionary key technologies. (Mag. Marie-Therese Barth, Austrian Federal Economic Chamber).
- Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration – Success factors for effective cooperation between business, academia, and public administration. (Mag. Karoline Bottheim, Länka Consulting, Sweden).
Networking & Project Exhibition
In addition to the thematic highlights, the conference offers many opportunities for personal exchange – for example at the project exhibition of national and international cluster initiatives. Whether networking during breaks, presenting project ideas, or joining the informal closing session – this is where community, innovation, and collaboration emerge.