This year's ÖHV Congress not only celebrated 70 years of the ÖHV over three days with around 700 guests, but also provided impetus for opportunities in times of upheaval, presented trends and innovations and discussed ideas in the network under the motto "Shaping change". As an exhibitor, Rabmer presented a wide range of sustainable solutions for the hotel industry and Managing Director Ulrike Rabmer-Koller took part in the future.labs plenary session on "Energy and sustainability concepts for greater resilience".
The ÖHV Congress took place in the city of Mozart for the first time this year. Over three days, 700 representatives from the hotel industry, business, politics and the media discussed the major challenges of the coming years, such as the labour market, sustainability, digitalization, business management and rising costs. "Far-reaching changes await us everywhere. It's about actively helping to shape them," emphasized ÖHV President Walter Veit, himself a hotelier in Obertauern, at the start of the congress. The discussions showed great interest in innovative solutions that can be implemented quickly in the hotel industry and ensure greater sustainability in the long term. We were therefore particularly pleased to welcome State Secretary Susanne Kraus Winkler, Governor of Salzburg Wilfried Haslauer, Member of the European Parliament Othmar Karas and the President of the Austrian Hotel Association (ÖHV) Walter Veit, to whom we were able to present our products Ecoturbino, Aquabion and energy from waste water.
Energy and sustainability concepts for greater resilience
Sustainability is the future - that was the unanimous tenor among industry experts. This topic was also discussed on stage in the future.labs plenary session by Michaela Reitterer (Boutiquehotel Stadthalle), Ulrike Rabmer-Koller (Rabmer Group), Armin Schmelzle (Gemeinwohlökonomie) and Erek Stoisser (SDI-Rating). "Sustainability has come to stay. It's a process that will be with us all the time," explained Reitterer. "But the good thing about it is that you can tell wonderful stories about the topic. The guests are happy to accept them and take them home with them." Ulrike Rabmer-Koller, an expert in sustainable solutions in construction and environmental technology, pointed out that, as a result of the energy crisis, it was no longer just about sustainability, but also about concrete cost savings. As she said, small steps are often enough. Turning the heating down by one or two degrees, for example, is often perceived as pleasant by guests. "Saving starts with hot water in the bathroom! Heating and hot water are the real cost drivers," emphasized the speaker. But there are enough technologies that help save money without guests noticing. It is important to take concrete steps and find out what is available on the market.
We are already looking forward to the next ÖHV Congress from April 14 to 16, 2024 in Graz!
