Everything about the RETTER Wels
The RETTER is Austria's leading trade fair for emergency organisations. It takes place at the Wels Exhibition Centre. Hotel Ploberger is just a few minutes' walk away – with garage, breakfast and quiet rooms in the centre.
Hotel, tickets, parking and accommodation
What is the RETTER?
The RETTER is Austria's leading trade fair for emergency organisations –
and since its founding an indispensable meeting point for fire services, rescue, civil protection and public safety.
Under the roof of the Wels Exhibition Centre, international market leaders and specialised providers present the latest developments for everyone who carries responsibility in Austria's rescue chain.
Represented are the fields of fire service, rescue, emergency medicine, mountain rescue, water rescue, civil and disaster protection as well as occupational safety.
The range extends from
emergency and special vehicles through protective equipment, breathing apparatus, alerting systems and rescue technology to digital deployment technologies, drones and robotics.
This makes the RETTER the central platform for professionals, authorities and decision-makers in the rescue sector.
What can I expect at the RETTER?
A remarkable feature is the combination of product presentation and practical application: international market leaders and specialists show world premieres and forward-looking technologies for everyday deployment.
A particular highlight are the spectacular live demonstrations in the outdoor area – including water-rescue exercises on the Traun river that flows past the exhibition grounds.
As a fair aimed primarily at trade visitors, the RETTER is a reason for many emergency personnel and exhibitors to spend several days in Wels – expert programme during the day, a relaxed evening in the old town and a short, convenient trip to the exhibition grounds. Visitors from Bavaria, Germany, Lower Austria and Styria in particular like to combine the visit with a stay in the centre of Wels.
What's on at the RETTER?
A key part of the experience is the extensive supporting programme of expert talks, panel discussions and hands-on training.
Current focus topics range from digitalisation, artificial intelligence and robotics through flood and disaster protection to new concepts in deployment practice.
On a dedicated public day, the fair also opens to interested members of the public – with the opportunity to train first-aid measures and to get to know volunteering at the emergency organisations.
Opening hours of the RETTER
The RETTER takes place over several days at the Wels Exhibition Centre.
The exact dates and daily opening hours of the current edition are published by the organiser on the official website.
As the fair extends across several halls and a spacious outdoor area, allow plenty of time for a complete tour. Anyone on site for several days as a trade visitor or exhibitor is best advised to plan a stay with an overnight and to stay centrally, so the journeys to the fair remain short.
Tickets and admission
Tickets for the RETTER are usually available in advance and at the box office.
The current admission prices, categories and information on trade-visitor registration are published by the organiser on the official website.
To avoid the queues, use the advance sale and arrive early.
Getting to the RETTER
By car
Wels lies directly on the A1 Western Motorway and is easy to reach from Vienna, Salzburg, Linz and Munich.
By train
Wels station is one of Austria's most important railway hubs.
From there, visitors reach the city centre and the event areas within a few minutes.
By plane
Linz Airport is around 20 minutes from Wels and offers good connections for international guests.
Parking at the Wels Exhibition Centre
Visitors benefit from numerous parking options in Wels.
Garage at Hotel Ploberger
Guests staying at Hotel Ploberger enjoy a particular advantage:
The public car park at Kaiser-Josef-Platz connects directly to the hotel.
The car can stay there while you travel to the fair comfortably on foot or by the public transport that runs from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
Exhibition car parks
During the RETTER, exhibition car parks are available around the grounds.
For an event of this scale, an early arrival or the use of public transport is recommended, as traffic volumes are high.
City-centre location
Thanks to the hotel's central location, many routes can be covered comfortably on foot.
The RETTER with your dog
Some visitors would like to bring their dog.
At the RETTER, dogs are permitted with a muzzle and lead.
As the live demonstrations involve vehicles, signals and loud noises, particular care is required when handling your dog. The organiser's current rules on lead requirements and access should be checked briefly on the official website before your visit.
If you arrive with a dog, Hotel Ploberger is a good choice: dogs are warmly welcome on request.
This makes it easy to combine the visit with a stay in the centre of Wels – with short distances and green spaces nearby for the daily walks.
The RETTER with children
The RETTER is primarily a trade fair for emergency organisations.
On a dedicated public day, however, it also opens to interested visitors and families – with live demonstrations, emergency vehicles to marvel at and hands-on first-aid stations.
Children who are fascinated by fire services and rescue in particular experience plenty of excitement on this day.
For the stay in Wels, the central location of Hotel Ploberger is an advantage: short distances, no long drives and a quiet retreat after an eventful day at the fair.
Where to stay during the RETTER?
For trade visitors and exhibitors travelling for several days in particular, the choice of accommodation makes the difference.
A central location in the Wels old town brings several advantages:
- short distances between hotel,
- fair and city centre,
- restaurants and cafés within walking distance for the evening,
- no daily search for parking at the grounds and
- a relaxed wind-down after a long fair day.
Anyone who doesn't want to drive back from an industrial estate in the evening, but is right in the city instead, gains noticeably in rest –
and arrives refreshed on the next fair day. After an intensive day at the RETTER, the breakfast at Hotel Ploberger is a relaxed start the next morning before heading back to the fair.
Hotel Ploberger – 8 minutes' walk to the RETTER
Hotel Ploberger is only around 650 metres from the event areas.
Most areas of the Wels Exhibition Centre can be reached in about 8 minutes on foot.
If you prefer public transport, there is a connection running directly from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the fair.
As a family-run house in its fourth generation, the hotel is a place where emergency personnel, exhibitors and trade visitors recover after an intensive day at the fair. The quiet, air-conditioned rooms sit in the middle of the city yet sheltered from the bustle. The sauna and fitness area invites you to recharge after a long day, and the generous breakfast buffet with regional products can be enjoyed in the garden on request.
Your advantages at a glance:- quiet, air-conditioned rooms in the heart of Wels
- generous breakfast buffet with regional products – in the garden on request
- sauna and fitness area for recovery
- public car park with direct lift access to the hotel
- 24-hour access to the hotel
- free Wi-Fi throughout the house
- restaurants, cafés and the Wels old town right outside the door
After a day among deployment technology, live demos and expert talks, guests enjoy the calm of the house while still reaching everything important on foot.
For business travellers who visit Wels regularly, Hotel Ploberger – for example as a seminar hotel in Wels – is a familiar address too.
What are FAQs about the RETTER in Wels?
What is the RETTER?
The RETTER is Austria's leading trade fair for emergency organisations. It takes place at the Wels Exhibition Centre and combines fire service, rescue, disaster protection, emergency medicine and public safety.
When does the RETTER take place?
The fair is held every two years over several days. The current dates are published by the organiser on the official website.
Where does the RETTER take place?
At the Wels Exhibition Centre in Upper Austria.
Is the RETTER open to the general public?
The RETTER is primarily a trade-visitor fair. On a dedicated public day, it also opens to interested members of the public and families. The details are published by the organiser on the official website.
How much is admission?
The current admission prices and categories are published by the organiser on the official website. Tickets are available in advance and at the box office.
What are the focus areas of the RETTER?
Emergency and special vehicles, protective equipment, rescue technology, emergency medicine as well as digital deployment technologies, drones and robotics – complemented by live demonstrations.
Are there live demonstrations?
Yes. Spectacular live demonstrations take place in the outdoor area, including water-rescue exercises on the Traun river flowing past.
How far is Hotel Ploberger from the exhibition centre?
Just a few minutes' walk. Alternatively, public transport runs from Kaiser-Josef-Platz towards the exhibition grounds.
Is parking available?
Yes. The public car park at Kaiser-Josef-Platz, with lift access to the hotel, is right by the hotel. The exhibition car parks are also available at the grounds.
Can I arrive by train?
Yes. Wels station is an important hub; during the fair there are direct public connections to the exhibition grounds.
Which hotels are near the Wels Exhibition Centre?
Hotel Ploberger is centrally located in the Wels old town, just a few minutes' walk from the exhibition grounds, which makes it particularly well placed for trade visitors and exhibitors.
Which restaurants are nearby?
Hotel Ploberger is in the middle of the Wels old town – restaurants, cafés and bars are within a few minutes' walk.
Can I bring my dog?
At the RETTER, dogs are permitted with a muzzle and lead; given the live demonstrations, care is required. At Hotel Ploberger, dogs are welcome on request.
Is the RETTER accessible?
The grounds of the Wels Exhibition Centre are designed with accessibility in mind. Current information is published by the organiser on the official website.
Is it suitable for a multi-day visit?
Yes. Given the extensive expert programme and the live demonstrations, an overnight stay in a central location is worthwhile for trade visitors and exhibitors.
Are there charging points for electric cars?
Charging options are available at Hotel Ploberger. It is best to ask the hotel directly for details.