Cross-country skiing in Russia: Statement by the Salzburg Chamber of Commerce on the PR disaster
A few days ago, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce (WKO) sent out an invitation to its branch office in Moscow. Businessmen were invited to cross-country skiing in the Russian town of Odintsovo on January 27th. Lively discussions followed.
SALZBURG/AUSTRIA. Several media such as the standard and the online newspaper zackzack.at reported on the somewhat dubious event. In social media, many people snubbed themselves about the “excluded instinct” of the Chamber of Commerce, which invited to a cross-country event near Moscow in times of war between Ukraine and Russia. The alleged sponsor of the event, Fischer Sports, also spoke up angrily. The company says they didn’t know anything about this deal. We asked the Chamber of Commerce in Salzburg and spoke to Thomas Albrecht, the head of the department for trade policy and foreign trade.
Cross country skiing in Russia
In the invitation to a branch office in Moscow published by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, “All Austrian companies with their own presence or business interest and their local partner companies” were invited to an information event including cross-country skiing on January 27th in the Russian sports and recreation park Odintsovo, which is close to the Capital Moscow is located. The press release would probably also have been prepared for the equipment. The alleged sponsor of the event Fischer Sports Russia would have taken over this.
Sharp criticism
After the broadcast saw the light of day, it didn’t take long for discontent to spread on social media platforms such as Twitter. Many users accused the WKO of a lack of intuition or pandering to Russia. Some media such as zackzack.at and the standard reported extensively on the unsuccessful PR campaign. A short time later, the invitation was withdrawn and the event cancelled. They apologized for the inappropriate combination of an informational event and a sporting event in the unfortunate setting, which “is not appropriate given the ongoing Russian attacks.”
Fischer Sports surprised
There was also criticism on the part of the alleged sponsor Fischer Sports Russia. the online portal zackzack.at the company denied the whole story. We definitely made promises for such an event. Fischer has already severely restricted its sales activities in Russia and stopped investments. The shop in Odintsovo sports park was already closed in June 2022. The support is said to have been promised instead by a dealer who took over the location. Fischer Sports will submit a protest note to the WKO.
Statement of the WCS
According to Thomas Albrecht, head of the department for trade policy and foreign trade in Salzburg, the Austrian Chamber of Commerce has around 100 foreign trade centers. One of these centers is in Moscow. General attempts are made to support Austrian companies wherever they are. Many companies have already withdrawn from Russia, but only a few are still represented in the country because it is unfortunately necessary due to contracts. As the Austrian Chamber of Commerce, we see it as our duty to inform and advise these companies.
According to Thomas Albrecht, the WKO basically condemns the Russian war of aggression. “This is a serious military conflict that we condemn in the strongest possible terms,” said Thomas Albrecht.
Unpassenger event
According to Thomas Albrecht from WKS Salzburg, an event with cross-country skiing in Odintsovo sent the wrong signal. “The Foreign Trade Center in Moscow organized the event location. It was definitely not intended to invite business people to Russia here. The WKO reacted very quickly and immediately canceled the unsuitable event,” explains Thomas Albrecht.
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