On Monday, May 18, 2026, the “Cherry Blossom Business Event” will take place for the third time at the Vienna Airport Conference & Innovation Center. The event has established itself as a key fixture in AirportCity and serves as a strategic networking platform for exchange between Japanese and Austrian businesses.
The meeting will focus on high-profile keynote speeches and panel discussions, with participants including the Federal Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism, Dr. Wolfgang Hattmannsdorfer, and the Japanese Ambassador, HE Kiminori Iwama. Airport CEO Dr. Günther Ofner and representatives from the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) are also expected to attend and speak about bilateral trade relations and technological innovations.
The economic importance of Japan as one of Austria's most important trading partners in Asia provides the framework for the expert panels. Japan traditionally invests heavily in Austrian mechanical engineering, the electronics industry, and the automotive sector. The event offers companies the opportunity to identify synergies and deepen cooperation in the area of start-up support. Experts assume that Vienna Airport, in particular, plays a key role for Japanese corporations seeking to expand their activities in Central and Eastern Europe due to its function as an international hub.
The economic program is complemented by a comprehensive cultural program that focuses on traditional Japanese culture. In addition to the classic Sadō tea ceremony, workshops in calligraphy, origami, and manga drawing are offered. The aim of this cultural integration is to foster mutual understanding and create a foundation of trust for business relationships. The event utilizes the modern infrastructure of Office Park 4 to combine expert presentations with interactive exhibition areas from partner cities and sponsors.
Interested business representatives and visitors can participate in the event free of charge, although prior online registration is required. To facilitate travel, special rates for parking at the airport and information on using the City Airport Train (CAT) have been provided. With this format, Vienna Airport underscores its ambition to function not only as a flight operations hub but also as an innovation center and intercultural interface for global business markets.