Join us on the evening before the forum for an informal get-together designed to connect participants, spark conversations, and ease everyone into the spirit of the upcoming two days. The gathering takes place from 19:00 to 21:30 and offers a relaxed setting to meet fellow speakers, partners, and guests while enjoying a taste of Tallinn’s atmosphere and hospitality. It’s an opportunity to build first connections, exchange ideas, and explore the city’s character before the forum begins. You’re also welcome to complete your forum registration during the evening. We invite you to arrive with curiosity and leave with new contacts, fresh inspiration, and a shared sense of anticipation for the days ahead.
The CEO of Apex Alliance Hotel Management, a rapidly expanding international operator reshaping the hospitality landscape in Central and Eastern Europe, will share his insights into strengthening the future resilience of the hotel sector. He will explore how hotels can adapt through smarter investment, operational efficiency, talent development, and energy-efficient solutions. The session will also highlight how evolving travel patterns and increased competition require sharper positioning and stronger value propositions.
The panel discussion will explore the future of the hospitality sector through a broader economic and urban-development lens. It will examine how price pressures, labor shortages, real-estate dynamics, municipal planning and shifting guest behavior collectively shape the sector’s long-term outlook. Building on this, the conversation will highlight what national and local governments can do to foster a stable, predictable and investment-friendly environment. The panel is bringing together leaders who can connect operational realities with policy decisions, offering a rare, multidimensional view of what truly determines the sector’s resilience and competitiveness.
Destination organizations are navigating a period of significant transformation. Rapid shifts in technology, traveler expectations, geopolitics and societal values are reshaping how places build and sustain their visitor economies. Jane, an internationally respected destination strategist, will explore why a destination organization must operate as a shared community value and how a connected, collaborative ecosystem can strengthen the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of both residents and visitors. Her perspective offers a forward-looking view on destination stewardship and the evolving role of tourism in creating long-term value for places and the people who call them home.
A leading food strategist and founder of Gastronomic Akademin, Mattias Kroon, will explore how emerging identity, local producers and innovation in flavor and storytelling shape a country’s culinary future. The session emphasizes viewing Estonia as a distinctive food nation with its own direction and creative potential. Ahead of the forum, the participating journalists will visit Tallinn and several regions across Estonia, giving them first-hand insight. This experience will feed directly into the following journalists’ panel, where they will discuss how media perception shapes a region’s gastronomic reputation and international visibility.
Participants will split into thematic groups and experience Tallinn firsthand through visits hosted by local entrepreneurs. Each trail offers the opportunity to hear their stories, gain behind-the-scenes insights, and discover the city through its most vibrant hospitality venues. Please be prepared for a walking tour and the possibility of using public transport, with the chance for a small tasting, a bite, or a spark of inspiration along the way.
Tour info HERE
Extend your Forum experience with the Social Dinner at UMA Restaurant. The Head Chefs of LP Hospitality (UMA, Lore, and Lee) present a one-night-only Estonian Food 2026 menu, served as a four-course dinner. During the evening, Peeter Pihel, founder of the Soil Talks movement, will share a short introduction on how soil has shaped his journey as the mother of our food. The night continues at Lessner Bar. The price includes menu, welcome drink and one glass of wine. We invite you to share this evening with colleagues and friends shaping the future of hospitality. Dress code: Smart Casual
Ana Roš, Slovenian chef-owner of Hiša Franko, a restaurant awarded three Michelin stars and a Michelin Green Star, is recognized as one of Europe’s most influential culinary voices. This session offers a broad exploration of her journey and perspectives: how culinary identity evolves in smaller countries, how hospitality concepts transform over time, and how creativity and business realities intersect in today’s restaurant landscape. The conversation also focuses on people: how to encourage staff, build motivated teams and create a culture that supports long-term excellence.
This inspiration offers a clear and encouraging introduction to bringing AI into daily life and work without overwhelm. The speaker breaks down what AI can realistically do for individuals and small teams today, from reducing repetitive tasks to improving decision-making and creative output. The focus is on practical first steps: how to choose the right tools, where to begin, and how to build small habits that create real gains in efficiency and confidence. Participants will walk away with concrete steps they can immediately apply to start integrating AI into their routines and workflows.
Sasu Laukkonen, one of Finland’s most celebrated chefs, embodies how creativity can evolve far beyond traditional boundaries. Formerly the chef-owner of the Michelin-starred Restaurant ORA (and earlier Chef & Sommelier), he made the bold decision to close his restaurant at the very peak of its success. In this session, Sasu shares a compelling story of embracing change, revealing how one passion can transform into another while staying deeply rooted in personal values and identity. His journey challenges familiar notions of achievement and offers a thoughtful reflection on reinvention, purpose and the courage to take an unexpected path. It is an inspiring perspective for hospitality and creative professionals navigating a rapidly changing world.
Niels Peter Pretzmann, Danish entrepreneur and advocate for sustainable, locally sourced food systems, promote organic farming, short supply chains and the farm-to-table approach. He is the founder of Farmers Circle, a regenerative organic farm and food ecosystem in Lithuania, and the driving force behind Senatorių Pasažas in Vilnius, a hospitality hub that includes award-winning restaurants and showcases transparent, responsibly sourced gastronomy. Known for combining hands-on business experience with a strong sustainability vision, he has become a leading voice in advancing local food culture, circular production models and more resilient regional supply chains.
Professor Klaus Heine, a recognized authority in luxury brand strategy, will lead and moderate this panel examining how luxury and lifestyle are evolving and what these shifts mean for the future of high-end tourism in the Baltics. The discussion explores how design, authenticity and sustainability can intersect to create distinctive guest experiences built on emotional connection and local identity. As co-founder of the EU Creative Hub for Luxury and High-End Industries and a leading expert in purpose-driven luxury, Klaus brings a global perspective that bridges academic insight and industry practice. His guidance sets the stage for a forward-looking conversation on the next chapter of premium hospitality.
This session explores practical and innovative ways destinations and businesses can reduce seasonality and strengthen off-season demand. We will look at product development, marketing approaches, and partnerships that help create year-round visitor flows. Speakers will share successful examples. The discussion concludes with actionable steps participants can apply in their own organisations.
