The new VÖW board (f.t.l.): Stefan Radlgruber (Finance Manager), Roman Klucsarits (Association Secretary), Gerhard Wagner (Vice President, Clerk,) Klaus Pohn (President).
A – More than 50 members, distributors and supplier partners met up in Lower Austria on June 4 and 5, 2025 for the summer meeting of the Association of Austrian Promotional Products Distributors (VÖW). This time the venue for the traditional industry get-together was Waidhofen an der Ybbs. Electing the new board was also on the agenda, namely during the GAM on June 4, the President, Klaus Pohn and the Finance Manager Stefan Radlgruber were re-elected for a further two years, Gerhard Wagner took over the position as Vice-President and Clerk after Gerhard Mittermaier had stepped down. The votes were unanimous; Karl Lehr and Robert Schneider were also re-appointed as auditors.
Gerhard Wagner is very familiar with association work and was already served on the board a few years ago. “An awful lot has happened within the industry since then – new materials, new customising methods, new legal requirements and of course the digitalisation. In the view of this dynamic and challenging environment my aim is together with my fellow board members to support our association members as readily as possible,” stated Wagner.
Klaus Pohn added: “I am delighted that Gerhard Wagner is taking on responsibility within the VÖW again. He unites both vast experience and immen
The band Herz Ass provided a lively musical accompaniment at the farewell dinner.
se enthusiasm for the industry and will set important impulses with his extensive knowledge.”
The intensified cooperation between sister associations like the German Promotional Products Association (GWW) as well as greater transparency regarding decision-making processes were important points on the agenda of the summer meeting. For example, the contents of the regular online board meetings have been made available in a timely manner to all members so far – with immediate effect the members can tune in directly to the meeting. “So that they can take part in the decision-making process from the start and have a better understanding of the intentions of the VÖW and represent these themselves,” commented Pohn.
In future, the offer of free expert lectures for VÖW members will also be an important part of the association work. Last year, among others a cyber-security training was conducted, a webinar on the EU Product Safety Guideline also proved very popular. “Conveying topical information on industry-relevant themes is an essential contribution towards reinforcing our members. This year the new EU packaging guidelines and the implementation of the AI guidelines in companies is the focus of the information and knowledge exchange,” explained Radlgruber.
Exchange of expertise at the VÖW Show in Waidhofen an der Ybbs.
After the GAM, the suppliers presented the diversity of the industry at the distributor trade show. Here, design met function and creativity met suitability for everyday use and sustainability in all possible facets – from raw materials and materials produced from eco-friendly materials as well as products “made in Europe”, to the circular economy and innovative resource-saving solutions, through to the use of green energy for the production of goods. The sustainability principle is in the meantime an integral part of many production and business processes. In this sense, the VÖW Show is not merely a trading place for product novelties, it is also becoming a trading place for expertise and information due to the knowledge transfer, which can in turn contribute to the further development of the industry,” stated Pohn.
VÖW Supplier Partner of the year (f.t.l.): Stefan Radlgruber (VÖW), Claus Schmidt (Key Account Manager Austria Prodir), Klaus Pohn, Roman Klucsarits and Gerhard Wagner (all VÖW).
Not only the intensive professional exchange heightened the spirits, the supporting programme also went down very well. On June 4, the distributors and supplier partners took part in a sightseeing tour – which included climbing the City Tower and the keep of Rothschild Castle – that not only provided a detailed insight into the history of the city, the participants also learned why Waidhofen an der Ybbs is called “City of Towers”.
On the evening of June 5, the Herz Ass band once again set the pace for the farewell dinner with their lively musical accompaniment. The last official item on the agenda of the meeting was electing Supplier Partner of the year: In 2025, the distributor members selected the Swiss writing instrument manufacturer, Pagani Pens with its brand Prodir, as their favourite. Claus Schmidt, Key Account Manager Austria, who is also Austrian Standards-certified, accepted the distinction on behalf of his company. “The reason Pagani Pens won the award is because of their outstanding service, top quality and consistent ability to deliver,” explained Pohn. “We are very pleased to have such partners at our side, with whom we can enjoy a trusting cooperation and whom we can rely on to offer our customers best quality in all respects.”
Photos: Dober, cip; Verena Pohn
