On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, I had the pleasure of attending a networking event organized by the Upper Austrian Economic Chamber (WKO) for the plastics processing industry at Hollywood Megaplex in Pasching, near Linz.
It was a welcome opportunity to reconnect with industry colleagues, exchange ideas and enjoy an evening outside the usual production environment.
Networking, Cocktails and Industry Conversations
The evening started at the cocktail bar near the cinema entrance, where guests were welcomed with drinks and finger food.
The relaxed atmosphere provided plenty of opportunities to catch up with familiar faces, meet new people from the plastics industry in Upper Austria and discuss current challenges and developments.
Sometimes, the most interesting conversations happen away from machines, meeting rooms and production schedules.
Industry Updates from WKO Upper Austria
Before the movie began, Erika Lottmann, Chairwoman of the Upper Austrian Plastics Processors Association, and DI Christoph Stoiber, Managing Director of the industry association, shared updates on the activities and initiatives of WKO Upper Austria.
A central topic was the future of vocational training in the plastics industry.
Promoting the Next Generation of Plastics Professionals
One of the main priorities presented during the evening was making apprenticeships in plastics processing more attractive and visible to young people.
New short-form videos for platforms such as TikTok and other social media channels were presented, along with a new promotional image video for plastics apprenticeships.
Attracting young talent and demonstrating the opportunities available in plastics processing are important steps toward securing the industry’s future.
It was encouraging to see the effort being made to present plastics technology and apprenticeships in a modern, accessible way.
Discover Plastics Apprenticeships in Austria
Here is one of the short videos highlighting the industry:
More videos: Kunststofflehre Austria on YouTube
A Movie to Round Off the Evening
After the industry updates, we watched Digger, starring Tom Cruise.
I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and would recommend watching it. It was an entertaining way to round off an already enjoyable evening.
Why Industry Networking Matters
For me, events like this are about more than formal presentations. They offer an opportunity to share experiences, discuss technical topics, strengthen relationships and stay connected with the people who shape our industry.
A little technical discussion, a few cocktails, good conversations and a movie made for a very enjoyable evening.
Many thanks to WKO Upper Austria and everyone involved in organizing the event.
Looking forward to the next opportunity to connect with colleagues from the plastics industry!