Austrian Council of Shopping Centres joins ICSC

The Austrian Council of Shopping Centres has become a member of the International Council of Shopping Centres.

ICSC’s membership in Europe now stands at an all-time high of close to 4000 members, almost double that of a year ago, and continues to rise as more National Councils join.

Germany led the way last year, signing an agreement making all German Council of Shopping Centres members also members of ICSC. In November the Nordic and Italian Councils of Shopping Centres signed similar agreements and Austria is the latest to join ensuring that all Austrian Council member companies are also ICSC members.

ICSC Europe is currently liaising with a number of other National Councils seeking to become members, which would increase European membership numbers still further, and hopes to make an announcement soon.

The management of the expanded membership base is being handled by ICSC’s European office in London. With retail real estate playing such a vital economic role in communities across the region, these agreements significantly strengthen ICSC Europe’s voice when it speaks out on behalf of the industry, particularly in Brussels.

ICSC Europe Managing Director, Mike Morrissey, said: 'We are delighted to welcome the Austrian Council. Members of the National Shopping Centre Councils are increasingly interested in developing business opportunities outside their own countries. ICSC Europe is in pole position to facilitate this through its networking and educational events, conferences, seminars and the sharing of ICSC global research and knowledge'.

Chair of the Austrian Council, Stephan Mayer-Heinisch, said: 'We are delighted to be signing this agreement which will benefit all our members by opening new doors globally.'