Conscious Hosts Conference 2026

The Hungarian Catering Industry Association is organizing a professional conference again at the SIRHA Budapest exhibition, which aims to create a platform for professional dialogue and strengthen cooperation between the industry association and the sector players.

Experience-based hospitality and maintaining competitiveness receive a special focus

 On March 3, the Hungarian Catering Industry Association (MVI) will organize the Conscious Catering Conference at the HUNGEXPO area, within the framework of the SIRHA Budapest international food and catering exhibition 2026. The conference aims to provide participants in the Hungarian hospitality industry with real, immediately applicable knowledge, concrete opportunities and inspiration during an exceptionally challenging period.

The focus of the event is on how to not only survive in 2026, but also consciously develop in the changed economic, financing and regulatory environment. The organizers will provide free professional tickets to the conference for registered participants.

The conference program will cover topics directly affecting hospitality businesses: application opportunities, financing, state support programs, and strategic issues determining the sustainability and competitiveness of operations.

Lectures and roundtable discussions

The invited speakers and roundtable participants are influential, authentic personalities of the Hungarian hospitality industry, recognized experts in their own fields, from street food-style hamburger restaurants to fine dining.

The conference’s presentations and roundtable discussions will explore the most defining topics in the hospitality industry this year: from tender and financing opportunities to the regulatory environment to operational challenges and market adaptation. Special focus will be given to experience-based hospitality, maintaining competitiveness, and how businesses can move beyond survival mode towards conscious development.

Program

13:00

Guest arrival, registration

13:25

Welcome

13:30

Not only the big ones win – tender opportunities for restaurants in 2026

Why don’t restaurants apply – and why is this a mistake?

Speaker: Fábián-SeremetyevMárk (RGM-AsesorConsulting Kft.)

13:50

When financing is not an obstacle, but an opportunity

Kisfaludy Tourism Credit Center (KTH) preferential Start loan

Speaker: LávingGusztáv (Kisfaludy Tourism Credit Center)

14:00

5+1 point support plan aimed at renewing the hospitality industry package of measures

From law to practice: what does the MTÜ’s 5+1 point REALLY mean?

Ask MTÜ first-hand – interactive presentation

Speaker: Dr. Szabolcs Szilágyi (Hungarian Tourism Agency)

14:20

Survival or development? The real challenges of hospitality in 2026

What could be behind the closures – and what are the survivors doing differently?– Roundtable discussion

Moderator: László Kovács (owner of La Fiesta Party Service, president of MVI)

Participants:

Zoltán Kőrössy (Eventrend Group)

Árpád László (Robinson restaurant)

Dániel Szabó (Szaletly restaurant)

15:10

Restaurant as an experience product: how to turn a guest into a regular guest?

Why is it not enough to cook well in 2026?– Roundtable discussion

Moderator:SemseiRudolf (VakVarjúÉttermek, BudapestPartyService, Dobaycukriszdak)

Participants:

Gianni Annoni (Trattoria Pomo D’Oro, Osteria Pomo d’Oro, Gelateria, Casa and the Pizza Bar)

Gábor Kereszty (Két Szerecsen Bistro, Fleischer Restobar, Bartók morning.noon.evening)

Máté Tóth (SIMON’S BURGER)

More information and registration:
www.mvi-konferencia.hu