A – In addition to its annual event at the Vienna Hofburg, markeding, Austria’s largest trade fair for tangible advertising, has long since been staging a satellite event in Upper Austria. After two editions in Wels, markeding returned to Linz on October 1, 2026 – its first time back in the city since 2019 – featuring a significant expansion: Held at the Design Center Linz, markeding impulse combined a trade show, top-class keynote speeches and community networking into a new, festival-style concept. The group of organisers was also expanded beyond the long-standing partners, Forum Eremites and Wertpräsent, to include ebets and HSW, bringing the total number of participating agencies up to four.
Around 80 exhibitors showcased their products and services at the light-flooded, modern premises of the Design Center Linz. Alongside the suppliers of haptic advertising, companies from sectors such as visual communication, live marketing and gamification were also represented. Several spacious lounge areas throughout the venue invited the participants to engage in relaxed conversation. Like the preceding events in Linz, markeding impulse was organised as a Green Event in accordance with the criteria of the Austrian Ecolabel. The high-quality event programme – featuring seven keynote speeches and a total of eight speakers – curated by the organisers, Martin and Katharina Zettl, proved to be a genuine highlight. The speakers in the auditorium included OMR Editor-in-Chief, Roland Eisenbrand, the high-fashion designer and entrepreneur, Marina Hoermanseder; the marketing expert, Olaf Hartmann, and AI researcher and entrepreneur, Gerhard Kürner.
All in all, the concept enabled markeding impulse to make a significant impact: According to the official figures, around 900 visitors came to the Design Center, with many staying on after the fair closed for the “markeding connect” networking party. Many exhibitors spoke very positively about the visitor turnout and the quality of the conversations. Participation was also a complete success for the organisers, too: “I am extremely satisfied,” reported a delighted Markus Angermayr from Forum. The organiser, Martin Zettl, also drew a very positive conclusion: “markeding impulse demonstrated the strength of our industry when people, brands and ideas come together directly. The energy, the quality of the conversations and the enthusiasm among visitors and exhibitors were palpable throughout the day.”
Katharina Zettl, Head of Marketing, added: “The premiere of markeding impulse was a great success for us. It was particularly wonderful for me to see how naturally everything came together. You could attend a keynote, then discover new products, exchange ideas and enjoy the day together. That is exactly the mix we wanted to create.” The next markeding event will take place on April 8 at the Vienna Hofburg. // Till Barth
Photos: Till Barth, © WA Media
