The Niederösterreichischen Gewerbeverein (Lower Austrian Trade Association) was founded in 1839, as an association for entrepreneurs with voluntary membership. It later became the Österreichischer Gewerbeverein (Austrian Trade Association). It played a significant role in the planning and delivery of several trade and international exhbitions and the foundation of the Technologische Gewerbemuseum and Technisches Museum Wien. It was strongly influenced by Wilhelm Exner and it awarded a Wilhelm Exner Medal every year from 1921.