Business Days 2025,
22. – 26. September 2025.
Blind Flight?
FMCG Market Updates
Ticket Validity: September 22–26, 2025
Optional Flight Extension: September 26–28, 2025
Departure & Arrival: International FMCG Airport
(Tapolca, Hunguest Hotel Pelion)
Dispatch Service: marketing@trademagazin.hu
For the past five years, the FMCG market has been operating under uncertain economic conditions, fluctuating in intensity. Consumer activity, unpredictable market environments, and ever-changing regulations continuously reshape plans. Skyrocketing prices, soaring inflation, volatile exchange rates, and dwindling hopes for a balanced supply-demand environment—these are the only “constants” we can rely on.
Why is it a blind flight? Everyday business operations require plans. Plans that allow for measurable performance and results, providing a long-term vision for expansion, development, and adaptation to changes. Economic stability would be the foundation of all this—giving wings to every market player to soar high, even against the wind. But with uncertain economic conditions, every plan becomes unreliable. Adapting to new daily challenges drains resources, shifting focus from long-term strategies to immediate daily, weekly, and monthly survival plans. Moreover, economic instability affects not only businesses but also shapes consumer behavior and decision-making. Currently, most companies in the FMCG market are struggling with these issues. Even the best ideas, development plans, and strategies cannot thrive if the regulatory environment remains unpredictable, and price, exchange rate, and cost stability are out of reach. Under these conditions, businesses are left navigating blindly.
We fly because we must. But where are we headed? Where will we land, and in what condition? These questions remain unanswered for now. The breakthrough that should come from a flying start is still nowhere to be seen in the FMCG sector. Yet, we remain hopeful that as we continue our journey, the turbulence will ease, a clear direction will emerge, we will find the right speed, and a safe landing strip will be in sight—allowing our passengers to feel secure and travel more frequently on predictable routes.
At this year’s Business Days Conference, we invite everyone on a journey like this. We entrust ourselves to our Captains and their expertise. We will listen to why they chose their specific flight path and how they navigate to keep their planes on course. Every passenger will be traveling first-class, but that doesn’t necessarily mean what they hear and experience will be reassuring. Still, we believe that through this shared journey and experience, we will learn how to find the best possible landing strip—even in blind flight—so that we can take off again and continue flying together.
We look forward to welcoming everyone from September 22-26 in Tapolca, at the Hunguest Hotel Pelion, for the largest annual FMCG conference. And for those who are interested, this year’s event can be extended with a special weekend program, offering an engaging, small-group experience.
P R O G R A M
Day 1 Monday, 22 September 2025
8.30-9.30 Check-in, waiting in the VIP lounge
9.30-9.45 Boarding for Trade Airlines flights
Information from the cabin crew: Emília Krug
Trade Airlines air marshal’s welcome speech:
Zsuzsanna Hermann, CEO and editor-in-chief of Trade magazin
BLACK BOX
10.00 Passenger plane – takeoff
Captain’s briefings: general market analysis and federal overviews of the past year and a half, with a preview of the following from our invited speakers: a HoReCa market exclusive with research prepared for the conference, industry leaders, reports from trade associations
12.00 Landing
12.00-13.00 Meeting in the transit VIP Buffet (level -1)
13.00 Flying SAUCER – takeoff
Captains among themselves: a HoReCa market exclusive, with research prepared for the conference and HoReCa market professionals reflecting on market research data and trade organisation reports, analysing what happened in the past year and sharing their forward-looking thoughts with the participants about the challenges and possible solutions for the near future
14.00 Landing, transfer
14.00 Air Force One Tapolca – takeoff
“HoReCa Heroes 2025” competition results announced, awards ceremony.
14.30 Landing
14.30-15.00 Airport shopping and meetings in the food court
15.00 GYRO(S)copter – takeoff
Captains among themselves: an overview of HoReCa market trends from suppliers, operators, catering professionals and trade associations
17.00 Landing
17.00-17.30 Airport shopping and meetings in the food court
17.30 Flyover – a sightseeing flight with our surprise guests
18.30 Landing
18.30-20.30 Waiting for the connection, meanwhile: METRO cocktail party in the transit zone until dinner
20.30-24.00 Dinner in the hangar, performance by Mariann Falusi, courtesy of the Premium Kert Group, raffle
Day 2 Tuesday, 23 September 2025
8.00-9.00 Check-in, waiting in the VIP lounge
9.00-9.30 Boarding for Trade Airlines flights
Information from the cabin crew: Emília Krug
BLACK BOX
9.30 Sailplane – takeoff
Captains among themselves: a general macroeconomic, food industry, supplier and shopper market assessment of the past year and a half and a vision of the opportunities and challenges of the year and a half ahead, with our invited speakers and panellists
11.30 Landing
11.30 Air Force One Tapolca – takeoff
Announcing the results of the “Retail Award of Excellence for Hungarian Products 2025” competition, presentation of the awards. The chief patron of the competition is Minister of Agriculture Dr István Nagy
12.00 Landing
12.00-13.00 Meeting in the transit VIP Buffet (level -1)
13.00 Jumbo Jet – takeoff
Captains among themselves: food economy progress report and current challenges, opportunities, new strategies and plans for wholesalers and distributors in roundtable discussions
15.00 Landing
15.00-15.15 Airport shopping and meetings in the food court
15.15 Charter flight – takeoff
Captains among themselves: current challenges and opportunities for purchasers in round table discussions
17.15 Landing, quick transfer
17.15-17.30 Airport shopping and meetings in the food court
17.30 Charter flight – takeoff
Captains among themselves: current challenges and opportunities for domestic retail chains and tobacco shops in roundtable discussions
19.00 Landing
19.00-20.30 Waiting for the connection
20.30-0.30 Dinner in the VIP Buffet (level -1), surprise guest in the transit zone, raffle
Day 3 Wednesday, 24 September 2025
8.00-9.00 Check-in, waiting in the VIP lounge
9.00-9.30 Boarding for Trade Airlines flights
Information from the cabin crew: Szilvia Krizsó
BLACK BOX
9.30 Jet aircraft – takeoff
Captains among themselves: a general market assessment of the past year and a half and future opportunities based on company data and household purchasing habits and e-commerce, with presentations and a roundtable discussion
12.00 Landing
12.00-13.00 Meeting in the transit VIP Buffet (level -1)
13.00 Cargo plane – takeoff
Captains among themselves: a general market assessment of the past year and a half and future opportunities throughout the supply chain, with presentations and a roundtable discussion
13.45 Landing, transfer
13.45 Aerial refuelling station – takeoff
Captain’s briefing: successes and challenges of the service station channel – roundtable discussion
14.30 Landing, transfer
14.30 Air Force One Tapolca
“Symbol of Sustainability 2024” competition results announced, awards ceremony
15.00 Landing
15.00-15.30 Airport shopping and meetings in the food court
15.30 Solar-powered aircraft – takeoff
Captains among themselves: sustainability progress reports from around the world and in Hungary, with presentations and roundtable discussions
17.50 Landing
17.50-18.00 Quick refuelling
18.00 Flyover – a sightseeing flight with our surprise guests
Duty-free from Boxy
19.00 Landing
19.00-20.30 Waiting for the connection
20.30-02.30 BBQ-dinner in the hangar, followed by a Fergeteges Retro Party
Day 4 Thursday, 26 September 2024
8.00-9.00 Check-in, waiting in the VIP lounge
9.00-9.30 Boarding for Trade Airlines flights
Information from the cabin crew: Szilvia Krizsó
BLACK BOX
9.30 Heavy bombers – takeoff
Captains among themselves: market assessment of the past year and a half and the years ahead, followed by a roundtable discussion hosted by the Branded Goods Association Hungary, and introducing the Chain Bridge Foundation and the students it supports
12.00 Landing
12.00-13.00 Meeting in the transit VIP Buffet (level -1)
13.00-14.00 Stealth bomber – takeoff
Captain’s briefing: brand equity trends and marketing communication, how to become successful, what value means today in Hungary and abroad, with presentations
14.00 Landing, transfer
14.00 Fighter aircraft – takeoff
Captain’s briefing: the successes and challenges of discounters, hypermarkets and supermarkets in a roundtable discussion
16.00 Landing
16.00-16.30 Airport shopping and meetings in the food court
16.30 Emergency airplane – takeoff
Captain’s briefing: successes and challenges of drugstores in a roundtable discussion
18.00 Landing
18.00-20.30 Waiting for the connection
20.30-04.00 Air show – gala dinner, Lifetime Achievement Awards, birthday toasts and announcing the results of the “Retailer of the Year 2024” competition, presentation of the awards, followed by live music by the Vegas Show Band, courtesy of the TV2 Group
Day 5 Friday, 26 September 2025
.00-9.45 Check-in, waiting in the VIP lounge
9.45-10.00 Boarding for Trade Airlines flights
Information from the cabin crew: Szilvia Krizsó
BLACK BOX
10.00 Space shuttle launch
Captains among themselves: traditionally this day is dedicated to thoughts executive can take home with them, with great presentations and exciting discussions once again
12.30 Landing
12.30-14.00 Meeting in the transit VIP Buffet (level -1)
Application form
This was Business Days 2024 – Teaser video
Members of the Lánchíd Club will also participate in the conference:
Székács Tibor elnök (Kende Retail, Avokado); Hovánszky László (tiszteletbeli elnök); Baja Sándor (Randstad); Balázs Ildikó (Auchan); Balogh Máté (Lindt); Balogh Tibor (OMV); Bánhegyi Zsófia; Bánhidi Attila; Benedek László (Agroloop); Békefi László (Coca-Cola HBC); dr. Boros Péter (Graboplast); dr. Fábián Ágnes (Henkel); Fekete Zoltán (Márkaszövetség); dr. Fischer Béla; Flórián László; Földesi György (Al-Rushaid Group); Gazsi Zoltán (Eisberg); Házi Zoltán; Heiszler Gabriella (SPAR); Hermann Zsuzsanna (Trade Magazin); Jeszenszki Lívia (Reál); Justin István (Real Nature); Kedves Ferenc; Laknerfi-Korin Katalin (Zwack Unicum); dr. Kozák Ákos (lmpetus Research); Krizsó Szilvia (KriShow); Matus István; Mezei János (Co-op Star); Müller Kornél (Törley); Murányi László; Németh Ottó (Herbow); Noszek Péter (Nestlé); Pálinkás Zsolt (Tesco); Poór Zoltán (Puratos); Rácz József (Prémium Kert); Saltzer Kornél; Sófalvi Attila (Mars); Sóskuti György; Soltész Gergő (Ostoros Családi Pincészet); Strasser-Kátai Bernadett (Real Nature); Szalókyné Tóth Judit (The Coca-Cola Company); Szautner Péter (Bonafarm); Tarsoly József (Wienerberger) dr. Tímár Imre (Tanner Trade); Tóth Zoltán (Mindz); Venter Zoltán (Essity); Vuleta Zsolt (Borsodi Sörgyár); Zsinkó Bálint (Graboplast)
