If you are bringing an international team to Vienna for a meeting, a few practical points help the day run smoothly. This guide covers greetings, titles, business lunches and how to choose a district for your meeting. It is a starting point, not a rulebook. Every company and every person is different.

Greetings

In Austrian business settings, a handshake with eye contact is the usual greeting when people meet for the first time. In German, you will often hear “Grüß Gott” or “Guten Tag” in the morning and during the day.

In German, there is a formal “Sie” and an informal “du”. In many traditional companies, people start with “Sie” and switch to “du” only when it is offered. In start-ups, agencies and international teams, “du” is common from the start. If you are unsure, wait for your Austrian counterpart to set the tone.

In English, this distinction disappears, so it rarely matters for international meetings held in English.

Academic titles

Academic titles are used more often in Austria than in many other countries. You may see “Mag.” (Magister), “Dr.” or “DI” (Diplom-Ingenieur) on business cards and in email signatures, and some people use them when introducing themselves.

A practical tip: if a title appears in someone’s signature, use it in written German correspondence. In spoken English, first names or “Mr” and “Ms” with the surname are usually fine. When in doubt, follow the lead of your host.

Meeting rhythm

Punctuality is expected, and a short round of small talk at the beginning is normal. Meeting habits differ between companies, so ask your Austrian counterparts how they usually run their meetings.

For an international team, it helps to:

  • send the agenda in advance
  • state at the start what should be decided by the end
  • plan breaks, especially for a full day
  • send a summary with next steps afterwards

Business lunch

A business lunch in Vienna is often a proper meal at a restaurant rather than a sandwich at the desk. Plan enough time, especially if the lunch is part of building a relationship.

Some practical points:

  • Book a table in advance, especially for larger groups.
  • The person who invited usually pays.
  • Business topics are fine at lunch, but there is usually some time for personal conversation first.

If you prefer to stay in the meeting room, a catered lunch is an alternative. At LOFT1080, the CULINARIUM package includes a business buffet and the bar.

Coffee

Coffee plays a big role in Vienna. A meeting that starts with coffee, or a short conversation in a coffee house before or after a meeting, is common. In Josefstadt, the district where LOFT1080 is located, there are classic coffee houses such as Café Hummel on Josefstädter Straße.

Choosing a district for your meeting

Where you meet affects how easy it is for everyone to get there. Consider:

  • Public transport: Is the venue close to an underground (U-Bahn) or tram stop?
  • Hotels: Where is your team staying?
  • Surroundings: Are there restaurants and coffee houses nearby for lunch or dinner?
  • Atmosphere: Do you want a central business district or a quieter residential area?

Josefstadt, Vienna’s 8th district, is the smallest district by area. It borders the city centre and is a mostly residential area with coffee houses, restaurants and the Theater in der Josefstadt, founded in 1788.

LOFT1080 for international teams

LOFT1080 is a 90 sqm loft on two levels with a green courtyard, at Lange Gasse 50/2 in Josefstadt. It suits groups of 10 to 35, depending on the format.

  • Main level: meeting table, 65-inch screen and a lounge
  • Platform, a few steps up in the same room: a large worktable, a bar and a 55-inch screen
  • Courtyard: behind a glass sliding door, for breaks in suitable weather
  • Technology: wireless casting, HDMI and USB-C, sound system, wireless microphones, live-streaming setup and Wi-Fi for 35 simultaneous connections

Our founder, Alexander Raffeiner, speaks fluent English, and we are happy to plan your meeting in English. Every booking has a dedicated point of contact from our team. Details are on our room page.

Getting there: The U2 station Rathaus is about five minutes away on foot. The U6 station Josefstädter Straße is about 15 minutes away. Trams 2, 5 and 12 stop nearby.

Next step

Send us your preferred date, group size and any requirements. We reply on the same working day with a concrete proposal. All contact details are on our contact page.