October 14, 2026
Over two days, professionals from the hospitality sector will gather in Bratislava to discuss topics that determine success in the hotel and gastronomy industries today. The HORECA & EXPO 2026 professional conference will take place on March 24 and 25, 2026 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava, with Michal Ondriš, Chief Inspector of Gault&Millau Slovakia, among the speakers.
When Statistics Aren't Enough
The first day's program will open with a topic called Statistics vs. Reality, reflecting the well-known phrase in the hotel industry: "In summer I'll tell you what last year was like." The hotel business is full of analyses and annual reviews that accurately describe the past but are less helpful for present-day decision-making. The discussion will therefore focus on the gap between official destination statistics and the day-to-day reality of hotels — because high city occupancy doesn't automatically mean higher profit for an individual hotel.
This will be followed by a presentation titled The Only Number I Love: What I'll Do with the Price Today. Experts will explain why historical data, while important, takes a back seat to current market signals. Correctly setting pricing, availability, and distribution mix can significantly impact a hotel's profitability. In the age of AI — which can process past data in seconds — the competitive advantage shifts to those who can quickly read signals about the future and translate them into the right decisions.
Slovakia's Gastronomic Ambitions
Gastronomy as a driver of destination attractiveness will also be a key conference theme. A panel called Gastronomy as a Magnet will explore how a quality culinary scene can draw visitors and build a country's reputation. A panel titled Gastronomic Guides and Slovakia: Hype vs. Reality will open an honest debate about whether prestigious culinary ratings are a genuine goal or primarily a marketing tool. Restaurant owners and head chefs will speak about costs, return on investment, and what being listed in prestigious guides actually changes — in the kitchen, in business, and in perceptions of Slovakia as a gastronomic destination.
From Catalogs to Avatars
The second day will also feature topics pointing to the future of tourism. One presentation, From Catalogs to Avatars: How AI Transformed Travel Agency Daka into Slovakia's First Digital Travel Agency, will be delivered by David Gavaľa, the agency's owner. He will show how a radical investment in artificial intelligence transformed the company's operations from the ground up. Attendees will meet Slovakia's first AI avatar capable of replacing sales staff in holiday selection, and learn how automating the call center and internal processes can increase company revenue without growing personnel costs. The talk will offer a practical perspective on how digitalization can help businesses survive the digital revolution in the HORECA segment.
HORECA & EXPO 2026 will thus bring two days of inspiration, open discussion, and hands-on industry experience. On March 24 and 25 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Bratislava, the people shaping the future of hotels, gastronomy, and tourism in Slovakia will come together.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Marketing
Key trends in AI and digital marketing for HORECA will also take center stage. How is AI changing the way restaurants communicate with customers, optimize marketing, or work with data? These questions will be answered by Martin Volek of Volis International, a Google Certified Trainer who ranks among the most sought-after speakers at marketing conferences in the region.
The Modern HORECA Business
The event won't be just about presentations. An important component will be the EXPO zone — a space where innovators, technology companies, and partners bringing solutions for modern gastronomy, hospitality, and services will come together. Companies presenting their products, services, and expertise include CORTEC, EUROPERSONAL, SWAN, ELGAS, HEDIN Automotive, JA Robot, UI42, Tenus, JTF Partnership, Quick Lemonade, AVKP, Terrabox – Shenzhen Import, Wine & Marketing, FYTOPHARMA, Gastronova Food Trucks, Espresso Professional SK, ÁČKO, ALTO Slovakia, and GULDAN chocolatier. The EXPO zone will be where technology meets practice — from digital solutions and automation to staffing services and innovations in gastronomy, mobile catering, and premium products. If you want to see where the modern HORECA business is headed, meet industry leaders, and discover new opportunities for your business, this is the place to be.
