From collecting the dots to connecting the dots

With more than 80,000 companies, over 214,000 employees and around 3% of Austria’s GDP, the creative industries play a central role in Austria’s economy, driving innovation, value creation and employment. This is why dialogue across disciplines matters.
 

Last week, our CEO Gerhard Abel joined fellow members of the Creative Industries Council in co-hosting "Connecting the Dots 2026", fostering exchange between creative industries, business, education and public administration:

Last week, I had the opportunity to co-host `Connecting the Dots 2026´ together with my fellow members of the Creative Industries Council at the Austrian Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs, Energy and Tourism.
With more than 80,000 companies, over 214,000 employees and around 3% of Austria’s GDP, the creative industries are not a niche. They are a central driver of innovation, value creation and employment.

Coming from a background in architecture and design, I really enjoy working at the intersection of design, technology and social responsibility. In our Council, I the truly transdisciplinary mindset: our shared values — curiosity, openness and the willingness to think beyond established boundaries — are both inspiring and energising. I’m honoured to work alongside such a committed group of people.

When we first set our agenda one year ago, we wanted to bring together the unusual suspects in an unusual setting — and to actively spread a creative mindset across fields. At last week’s event, we intentionally connected people from the creative industries, education, business and public administration to foster real cross-pollination. Once more, it became clear: when different worlds come together, new connections and ideas can emerge.

On Wednesday, I joined my fellow members of the Council who hosted a session about Generetive AI Excellence from Austria and across Europe at the CIMIx | The Transformation Edition. (Really cool, inspiring stuff! 🚀🚀🚀)

The days were full of unexpected conversations and encounters: A consultant working on space projects who is actually a musician, or a conductor leading a workshop on leadership by letting participants conduct a string quartet (live!).

These experiences reminded me that cool ideas take off with human interaction — from curiosity, trust and the willingness to learn from each other across disciplines. This is what made both Connecting the Dots and CIMIx so special: I really love to work with curious people who actively collaborate to shape a positive future.