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SMILE & Arts makes the difference
SMILE & Arts was founded in 2004 by Mag. Michaela Leithner, MA. Today, we are a full-service event agency with a strong focus on multilingual event formats – headquartered near Vienna, operating throughout Austria and internationally.
With over 20 years of experience and more than 1,000 successfully delivered events, we seamlessly combine strategic planning, professional organisation, and precise execution.
Our expertise spans corporate events, conferences, and annual general meetings, as well as gala evenings, cultural events, workshops, and motivating team-building experiences. We plan, produce, and manage all trades from a single source: concept development, budgeting and permits, venues and logistics, safety, catering, staffing, and – when required – interpreting and hybrid solutions. Thanks to our extensive partner network, we reliably deliver projects of any size.
What sets us apart: We combine modern project management with clear processes and workflows, ensuring that messages are not only delivered accurately, but also create a lasting impact. One central point of contact coordinates all stakeholders while keeping budget, timelines, and quality fully transparent. Reliable, meticulous, and on equal footing.
Our expertise spans corporate events, conferences, and annual general meetings, as well as gala evenings, cultural events, workshops, and motivating team-building experiences. We plan, produce, and manage all trades from a single source: concept development, budgeting and permits, venues and logistics, safety, catering, staffing, and – when required – interpreting and hybrid solutions. Thanks to our extensive partner network, we reliably deliver projects of any size.
What sets us apart: We combine modern project management with clear processes and workflows, ensuring that messages are not only delivered accurately, but also create a lasting impact. One central point of contact coordinates all stakeholders while keeping budget, timelines, and quality fully transparent. Reliable, meticulous, and on equal footing.
Our motivated team of experts and professionals.
SMILE & Arts – by the numbers
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Our highly motivated management team
Mag. Michaela Leithner, MA
Mag. Michaela Leithner, MA, is the founder and Managing Partner of SMILE & Arts. She is a highly qualified conference interpreter and translator, educated at several renowned European universities, including the University of Vienna, the University of Leeds (UK), and the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria.
With more than 20 years of industry experience, she has organised numerous interpreting teams for conferences, delegations, events, press conferences, and other occasions. Her goal is for audiences to experience an event as though they were listening to the original speaker. She applies these high standards equally when selecting interpreting teams.
Michaela places particular importance on understanding each client’s needs in depth. In her role as an event manager, she also ensures smooth event delivery and clear communication throughout.
20+ years of experienceopenqualifizierte DolmetscherinstraightforwardwarmlyEventmanagerin & Moderatorin
Franz Harnacker
Franz Harnacker, also a founder and Managing Partner of SMILE & Arts, is responsible for back-office operations, finance and controlling. With many years of experience in graphic design, desktop publishing and print production, he brings valuable expertise to the company.
His solid academic background in communications, economics and business administration enables him to understand clients’ needs from their perspective and provide tailored solutions.
communicativecommittedtech-savvyorganizational talentController
Ehrenbotschafterin des Jane Goodall Institute Austria
While studying to become a conference interpreter, Michaela accompanied several delegations, including visits to abattoirs—an experience that further strengthened her commitment to a vegetarian lifestyle. During Jane’s visits, she volunteered at her side as her “English ears and Austrian voice.”
Together with her partner, Franz Harnacker, and their company SMILE & Arts, Michaela supports the cause not only through her voluntary work, but also through financial donations.
hilft Michaela nicht nur durch ihre ehrenamtliche Tätigkeit, sondern auch durch Geldspenden.
Bild- und Textquellen: https://janegoodall.at/
“Our mission is to create moments that move, connect, and stay memorable. SMILE & Arts stands for clear communication, precise planning, and international event expertise. We combine professionalism, creativity, and reliability to ensure that every event – whether multilingual, hybrid, or on site – unfolds its full impact and inspires people in a lasting way.”
Mag. Michaela Leithner, MA
Founder and CEO
Our core competencies and additional services
Curious? Book an initial consultation now and learn more about us.
SMILE Events
We thoroughly explore your business to craft tailored solutions that align precisely with your goals and vision.
SMILE Translations
From initial strategy to final deployment and beyond, we support you at every stage of your digital journey.
SMILE Artists
We build flexible, scalable systems that adapt and grow alongside your business as needs evolve over time.
Mit über 1000 Aufträgen und einer Bewertung von 4.8 sind wir stets auf der Suche nach einer weiteren Herausforderung.
Since 2019: As always, an excellent collaboration. We undertook the “Remote Interpreting” project for 26 languages, including sign language, largely because we could rely 100% on SMILE’s service. Both the testing phase and the implementation were a complete success.
Together with SMILE, we have established a future-proof interpreting system within our company.
Nikolaus K.
Top service, always available, fast, flexible, prompt implementation, professional, competent, reliable, and friendly – simply outstanding! Thank you for the excellent collaboration.
Claudia H.
Head of Communication wienerberger
Get started with us now!
Ready for your perfect event?
Contact us for a non-binding consultation. As a leading Vienna-based event agency, we turn your vision into an unforgettable reality.
Free initial consultation & concept developmentMehrsprachige Betreuung für internationale EventsTransparent pricing with no hidden costs24/7 support throughout your entire event
What does professional event planning cost in Vienna and internationally?
The cost of professional event management varies depending on the type of event, number of participants, and required services. We are happy to provide you with a tailor-made, transparent proposal – free of charge and without obligation.
What is the difference between event management and an event agency?
Event management refers to the process of planning and delivering an event. An event agency is the specialised company that provides these services professionally.
While events can be organised internally, an experienced agency brings years of expertise, established partner networks, and often significant cost efficiencies.
Why should you organise hybrid events?
Hybrid events seamlessly combine on-site and online participation. Their key advantages include a significantly greater reach, lower participation costs, and a more environmentally friendly approach. They are particularly well suited for conferences, motivational coaching, and corporate presentations.
We deliver hybrid events using professional streaming technology.
What technology is required for professional streaming events?
High-quality live streaming requires professional UHD cameras, reliable streaming software and hardware, a stable high-bandwidth internet connection, and optimal lighting. For interactive events, additional elements such as chat moderation, voting tools, and virtual breakout rooms are essential.
We deliver the complete streaming technology setup – and everything that comes with it.
What should be considered for multilingual events?
International events require professional interpreting teams and specialised interpreting technology – including simultaneous booths, streaming solutions, and, in some cases, tour-guide systems, among many other components. Key success factors include a thorough briefing of interpreters, comprehensive technical testing, and reliable backup systems.
As an agency with our own in-house interpreting services, we are able to deliver multilingual events with exceptional efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Why should you hire a professional host or moderator for your event?
Internal moderation often appears unpolished and can distract from the actual goals of the event. Professional hosts and moderators guide the programme with confidence, create a clear narrative, actively engage the audience, and respond calmly to spontaneous situations.
This significantly increases the impact and overall success of any event. We provide experienced moderators – bilingual, empathetic, and with strong stage presence.
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Short paths, clear answers. Feel free to contact us via our contact form.
What does professional event planning cost in Vienna and internationally?
The cost of professional event management varies depending on the type of event, number of participants, and required services. We are happy to provide you with a tailor-made, transparent proposal – free of charge and without obligation.
What is the difference between event management and an event agency?
Event management refers to the process of planning and delivering an event. An event agency is the specialised company that provides these services professionally.
While events can be organised internally, an experienced agency brings years of expertise, established partner networks, and often significant cost efficiencies.
Why should you organise hybrid events?
Hybrid events seamlessly combine on-site and online participation. Their key advantages include a significantly greater reach, lower participation costs, and a more environmentally friendly approach. They are particularly well suited for conferences, motivational coaching, and corporate presentations.
We deliver hybrid events using professional streaming technology.
What technology is required for professional streaming events?
High-quality live streaming requires professional UHD cameras, reliable streaming software and hardware, a stable high-bandwidth internet connection, and optimal lighting. For interactive events, additional elements such as chat moderation, voting tools, and virtual breakout rooms are essential.
We deliver the complete streaming technology setup – and everything that comes with it.
What should be considered for multilingual events?
International events require professional interpreting teams and specialised interpreting technology – including simultaneous booths, streaming solutions, and, in some cases, tour-guide systems, among many other components. Key success factors include a thorough briefing of interpreters, comprehensive technical testing, and reliable backup systems.
As an agency with our own in-house interpreting services, we are able to deliver multilingual events with exceptional efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Why should you hire a professional host or moderator for your event?
Internal moderation often appears unpolished and can distract from the actual goals of the event. Professional hosts and moderators guide the programme with confidence, create a clear narrative, actively engage the audience, and respond calmly to spontaneous situations.
This significantly increases the impact and overall success of any event. We provide experienced moderators – bilingual, empathetic, and with strong stage presence.