MUM 2015 will be held at the Ars Electronica Center in Linz, which is also known as the "Museum of the Future" and is one of the most important sights in Linz. Participants of the conference will be able to visit the museum and discover its exhibitions. Moreover, Linz has a long history of Christmas markets, which will be open during the conference.
Location: Linz, Austria
The conference will take place in Linz, Austria, which is the third-largest city of Austria and capital of the state of Upper Austria (German: Oberösterreich). The city was founded by the Romans, who called it Lentia; the name Linz was first recorded in AD 799. It is located in the north centre of Austria, approximately 30 kilometres (19 miles) south of the Czech border, on both sides of the river Danube. The population of the city is more than 190.000, and that of the Greater Linz conurbation is about 271.000. It boasts an atmospheric old town (1.000 years old) with a thriving music and entertainment scene, museums, theatres, concert halls, festivals, marathons, the Linz triathlon, unique shops and numerous cafes. The river Danube is the main tourism and transport connection that runs through the city. A famous citizen was Anton Bruckner, who spent the years between 1855 and 1868 working as a local composer and organist in the Old Cathedral, Linz. Linz is one of the main economic centres of Austria with companies like the Voestalpine AG steel concern and the former „Chemie Linz" chemical group.
In 2009, Linz was the European Capital of Culture. More than 2.5 million people took this opportunity to get to know the cultural qualities of the city. Several newly constructed cultural venues reinforce the image of Linz as a dynamic city of culture and industry. The city is now home to a vibrant music and arts scene that is well-funded by the city and the state of Upper Austria. Between the Lentos Art Museum and the „Brucknerhaus”, a famous concert hall in Linz is named after Anton Bruckner, is the „Donaulände”, which is also referred to as „Kulturmeile” („culture mile”). This is a park alongside the river, which is used mainly by young people to relax and meet in summer. It is also known for the Ars Electronica Festival in early September and the „Linz Fest”, which annualy takes place in March. Linz has other culture institutions, such as the „Musiktheater” (music theatre), which was opened in April 2013 and is considered to be one of the most modern opera houses in Europe. The „Pflasterspektakel”, an international street art festival, takes place every year in July in and around the „Landstraße” and the main square.
The Johannes Kepler University Linz is situated in the north-east of Linz. It hosts law, business, social sciences, engineering, natural science, and medical faculties; about 14,000 students are enrolled. In Hagenberg, about 20 kilometres north-east of the city of Linz, is the School of Informatics, Communications and Media of the University of Applied Sciences Upper Austria. It offers a wide range of degree programmes in the field of Information Technology and is part of the "Softwarepark Hagenberg", which also hosts several software companies and research departments of the Johannes Kepler University Linz.
Venue: Ars Electronica Center
The main conference will be held in the representative Sky Loft of the Ars Electronica Center, which offers space for up to 120 participants at 170 m². The Ars Electronica Center (AEC) is a center for electronic arts run by Ars Electronica situated in Linz, Austria, at the northern side of the Danube opposite the city hall of Linz. The building is also known as the "Museum of the Future" and is one of the most important sights in Linz. The most modern techniques from the technology sector are presented to the museum's many visitors. The museum has six floors filled with creative work from hi-tech laboratories all over the world. It now has 3000m² for exhibitions, 400m² for workshops and conferences, 650m² for catering and another 1000m² of public space for various types of events.
There are always several exhibitions (see AEC Exhibitions for an overview) running simultaneously at the AEC. The exhibits featured at the AEC focus on human beings and our environment. Hands-on experience and active involvement are decisive for visitors to obtain an accurate picture of themselves and the world they live in. One of the most impressive ones is the Deep Space, a multifunctional presentation room for experiencing photographic images, films, animation sequences and 3D applications in 16x9-meter format.
Getting to Linz
Arriving by plane
Take the plane to the regional airport Linz (40km), or alternatively to Salzburg (160 km), Vienna (180 km) or Munich (300 km) and continue with the train.
Blue Danube Airport Linz
Blue Danube Airport Linz is around 15 km outside the city centre, and can be reached easily in only 20 minutes or so by taxi, bus or train.
- Taxi: You may order a taxi which will cost approx. €29 from to & from the airport.
- Train: Connection from Linz Main Station to Hörsching station (travel time 11 min./ runs approx. every hour). Free shuttle service from Hörsching station to the airport.
- Airport bus: Departs from opposite Linz Main Station/Kärntnerstrasse; working days (Mon-Sat) hourly from 05:00-19:00; Price: €2.60 single trip, full price.
Vienna Airport – Linz: when arriving at the airport take the bus or the high-speed railway (City Airport Train - CAT) /underground to the railway station; take the train from the central railway station in Vienna; trains leave hourly (most of the time a quarter to the hour, terminal is either Salzburg)
Salzburg Airport – Linz: when arriving at the airport take the bus that brings you to the railway station; take the train from the central railway station in Salzburg; trains leave twice per hour (most of the time some minutes after the hour, terminal is either Vienna or Budapest)
Munich Airport – Linz: when arriving at the airport use the high-speed railway; change at München Ost (Munich East) and take the connecting train (terminal is either Vienna or Budapest); Car: Please click here to check the shortest road connection from your residence to the conference venue
Arriving by train
Kindly check the train schedule for the best connection opportunities.
Linz Train Station – Hotel: All the recommended hotels are all located in the city reachable within 10-20 minutes by tram, bus or by foot from the train station
Arriving by car
Please click here to check the shortest road connection from your residence to the conference venue. Parking space is available at the Urfahraner Jahrmarktgelände nearby for free or at the underground parking garage of the "Neues Rathaus" (subject to charge).
Getting to the Conference Venue
Train Station – Conference Venue: Take the tram 1, 2 or 3 to the conference venue Ars Electronica Center (AEC) >> till Rudolfstraße (direction Mühlkreisstraße or JKU Universität).
Public Transportation within Linz
Tram: There are three main tram lines 1,2,3 which take you around in Linz.
Bus: The lines 33, 33a, 38 or 102 take you to the conference venue (stop at Rudolfstraße).
See the map for public transportation network. The prices of public transportation depend on the distance & time you stay in Linz. Get a ticket overview on the fares and terms.
Use the Journey Planner to get around with public transportation in Linz.
Hotels
For the duration of the conference we have reserved a contingent of rooms for you in selected hotels at special rates which are located in Linz. For room reservations please contact the reception of the hotel directly (see contact details below). Make sure to state the booking code "MUM 2015"; otherwise, the special conditions are not considered.
Please note that the contingents are available until November 13, 2015 (ARCOTEL Nike Linz****) and November 5, 2015 (other hotels listed below).
- Austria Classic Hotel Wolfinger***, Hauptplatz 19, 4020 Linz, office@hotelwolfinger.at
Price: single room with breakfast: EUR 79,-/night; double room with breakfast: EUR 119,-
Distance: the hotel is located at the main square, 500 metres from the conference venue (6 minutes walk). - ARCOTEL Nike Linz****, Untere Donaulände 9, 4020 Linz, nike@arcotelhotels.com
Price: single or double room: EUR 80,-/night; breakfast buffet: EUR 17,-
Distance: take a 15-20 min walk or use public transportation to reach the conference venue. For example walk to the main square, from there take the tram 1, 2 or 3 to cross the bridge to Linz Rudolfstraße and continue walking to the Ars Electronica Center. - Hotel Ibis Linz***, Kärntnerstraße 18, 4020 Linz, h1722@accor.com
Price: single room with breakfast: EUR 80,-/night; double room with breakfast: EUR 109,-/night
Distance: the hotel is located just opposite to the main train station. Use the tram 1, 2 or 3 (10 minute ride) to reach the conference venue. - Courtyard by Marriott Linz****, Europaplatz 2, 4020 Linz, reservations@courtyard.com
Price: single room with breakfast: EUR 95 - 115,-/night; double room with breakfast: EUR 105 - 135,-/night
Distance: you need to use the bus and tram, car or taxi to reach the conference venue. If you choose to go by bus take #12 from the Europaplatz direction Linz Auwiesen to Goethekreuzung from there continue by tram 1, direction JKU Universität, to Linz Rudolfstraße. From there you already see the conference venue. - Spitz Hotel****, Fiedlerstraße 6, 4040 Linz, office@spitzhotel.at
Price: single room with breakfast: EUR 109,-/night; double room with breakfast: EUR 149,-/night
Distance: you literally only need to cross the street to reach the conference venue.