Maria Riesch at EXPOnline: What comes after gold

With EXPOnline 2026, HOK | University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tirol once again presented projects from the Sports, Culture & Event Management degree program on a digital stage. Students from the EXPOnline project group moderated the livestream and guided the audience through the program. The project teams presented their practical projects via a YouTube stream and provided insights into their planning and implementation.

A particular highlight was the conversation with Maria Riesch. The three-time Olympic champion spoke about the special significance of Olympic success, how she copes with the pressure of expectations and setbacks, and her path to the top of the world rankings. She also offered personal insights into the transition from elite sports to a new phase of life. This included discussing the importance of mental strength, perseverance, and a stable environment for a successful career.

PRACTICAL PROJECTS WITH DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES

One focus of the event was on the topic of "Women in Sport". The projects presented demonstrated the thematic breadth of the degree program – from scientific research and sporting events to socially relevant issues.

ESC accompanying study: Eight students from the Master's program in Sport, Culture & Event Management supported the data collection for the economic accompanying study of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026 in Vienna. They conducted standardized visitor surveys for this purpose.

Kufstein24: 24 hours full of sport, exercise and community – organized by students of the HOK. The event offered free sports activities throughout Kufstein and a lecture by extreme cycling professional Phillip Kaider.

Female Power – Focusing on the Cycle: With this practical project , students created a space for education about the female cycle. As part of the Tyrolean Women's Run, experts provided insights into the connection between the cycle, training, recovery, and performance.

PRACTICAL LEARNING VIA LIVESTREAM

From the initial concept and organization to communication with external partners, and finally to the technical implementation and moderation of the live stream, the students took responsibility in all project phases. In doing so, they gained practical experience in project management, event organization, teamwork, and communication.

The audience was also involved: A competition with a Colmar voucher worth 900 euros and two tickets for the Ski World Cup in Sölden complemented the program.

“As team leader of EXPOnline 2026, I am incredibly proud of our entire team. From the initial idea to the livestream, we worked together on this project with great dedication, personal responsibility, and team spirit. Our goal was to showcase the diversity and practical relevance of our degree program in a professional yet engaging way – and I think we succeeded,” summarizes project manager Christian Perterer.

Links

• EXPOnline | Event Series
• Sports, Culture & Event Management | ft