Responsible for ESC: Waldner Joins Wiener Stadthalle as Managing Director

The Wiener Stadthalle - where the Song Contest will take place again next year - is getting a second managing director. In addition to the current head Matthäus Zelenka, Thomas Waldner will be at the helm of the event location. This was announced by the owner, the municipal Wien Holding, on Thursday. Waldner was previously the organizer of the Donauinselfest from 2012 to 2020. In the Stadthalle, he will be responsible for the ESC next year.

Why another managing director for Wiener Stadthalle?

The decision to fill an additional managing director position was made because the entertainment business is a strong growth market, emphasized Wien Holding. The current development suggests that the year 2025 could become one of the strongest years in the history of the Wiener Stadthalle. A total of 45 people applied for the position.

Waldner will take office on November 1 and will lead the Stadthalle together with the current sole managing director Zelenka. He will be responsible for communication, event management, operations, technology, security, gastronomy, and personnel, in addition to the ESC. Matthäus Zelenka will take over the areas of finance, accounting, procurement, IT, and computing.

"Filling the additional management position is an important step to sustainably secure the further positive development of the Stadthalle. With Thomas Waldner, we gain a personality with many years of experience in the event industry and a strategic sense for major events," said City Councilor for Economic Affairs Barbara Novak (SPÖ) confidently.

Waldner: "Looking forward to the new task"

Waldner himself stated: "I am looking forward to the new task and want to bring my experience, enthusiasm, and leadership strength to make the Wiener Stadthalle the perfect stage for the ESC 2026 together with a strong team - and thus contribute to an unforgettable event for Vienna, Austria, and Europe." The new Stadthalle head was born on September 1, 1984, in Villach. Most recently, he was the managing director of Wien-Ticket.

(APA/Red)

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