HOW2023-11-21T15:16:11+01:00

HOTEL OPERATIONS WEEKEND 2023

HOTEL OPERATIONS WEEKEND 2023

November 15th-17th 2023 Fortis Club, Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala, Petrčane (Zadar)

BE A PART OF THE FUTURE

HOW Festival is the only hotel operations conference organized in Europe.

Every year, HOW Festival brings together a group of experts across a wide range of fields to help share new ideas, learn and discuss about the latest ongoing trends in hotel operations.

OUR NUMBERS SINCE 2017

Participants

3000+ from over 15+ countries

Speakers

250+ prominent leaders and industry experts

Program

100+ panel discussions, workshops and presentations

JOIN EUROPE’S TOP HOTEL OPERATIONS EVENT: HOW FESTIVAL

Attendees will benefit from the knowledge of leading experts in the hospitality industry field and gain new ideas while building valuable connections with peers.

PHOTOS FROM HOW FESTIVAL 2023

HOW FESTIVAL 2023 – PROGRAM

Announcing our exciting final program! Get ready for an unforgettable experience this year as we present an extensive lineup of over 20 engaging discussions led by a diverse panel of 60+ hospitality experts.

Our program is designed to offer a perfect blend of education and enjoyment. Delve into enriching educational content through panel discussions, insightful interviews, and captivating presentations. At the same time, revel in the lighter side of the program, where attendees can network and have a blast with a variety of fun activities, including a welcoming cocktail reception, an entertaining pub quiz, a delightful dinner, a charitable auction, a lively big party, a refreshing morning walk & run, and dynamic speed networking sessions.

Discover the full details of our program below:

Wednesday, November 15th

20:00 – 23:00

Hotel Iadera Bar (-1 Floor)

Welcome Cocktail

powered by:

Thursday, November 16th

09:00 – 09:15

Hall A

HOW Festival Kickoff: Welcome Words and Key Information

  • Andrea Skerlj

    Event Director at HOW Festival

  • Bojan Gazibara

    MC at HOW Festival

09:15 – 09:35

Hall A

Shaping the Hospitality Landscape: Exploring Global Trends in Hotel Operations

  • Marina Franolic

    Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe at The Bench

In conversation with:

  • Dejan Popadic

    Regional Vice President – Openings & Transitions at Hyatt EMEA

09:35 – 10:10

Hall A

Driving Success in Hotel Operations: Perspectives from the Top

  • Nikola Avram

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Alpha Hotel Management & Valdarke

In conversation with:

  • Hans Prins

    Cluster General Manager at Accor South East Europe

  • Andrej Sovrovic

    Cluster General Manager at IHG Hotels &

    Executive Board Member at Delta Holding

10:10 – 10:30

Hall A

Don’t Believe Everything You Say

  • Dalibor Sumiga

    Founder and Director at Promosapiens

10:30 – 11:00

Exhibitor Area

Coffee break

11:00 – 11:15

Hall A

European Hotel Performance: What are the Numbers Telling Us?

  • Ivana Neskovic

    Director, Sales & Client Services at STR

11:15 – 11:35

Hall A

Revenue Reveal: Understanding the Story Behind the Numbers

  • Ivana Neskovic

    Director, Sales & Client Services at STR

In conversation with:

  • Marta Hancock

    Vice President Revenue Management for Central and Eastern Europe at Accor

11:35 – 11:55

Hall A

Mastering Operations: Elevating Revenue and Tactics, Technology, and Guest Experience

  • Srdjan Milekovic

    Senior Vice President Operations EMEA at Hyatt Hotels

In conversation with:

  • Gorjan Lazarov

    Chief Executive Officer at Orea Hotels & Resorts

11:55 – 12:30

Hall A

Automating a Green Future

  • Luka Berger

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Flexkeeping

In conversation with:

  • Martina Anusic

    Hospitality Support Supervisor at Falkensteiner Hotelmanagement

  • Linde Borger

    Regional Manager Europe at Hotels for Trees

powered by:

12:30 – 14:00

Hotel Diadora

Lunch break

14:00 – 14:35

Hall A

What do We Need to do to Bring Talented People into Hospitality from other Industries, Instead of Poaching from Each Other?

  • Dominik Pazin

    Director of Operations at Liburnia Hotels & Villas

In conversation with:

  • Pawel Lewtak

    Vice President, National Delegate Central Europe at European Hotel Managers Association

  • Boris Simm

    Group Vice President Operations and Member of the Executive Board at Ruby Hotels

  • David Taylor

    Chief Executive Officer & President of the Management Board at Adriatic Luxury Hotels

powered by:

Hall B

From Leads to Bookings: Maximizing Success in Hospitality through Direct Sales

  • Aleksandar Vasilijevic

    President of The Board at Business Association of Hotel Restaurant Industry of Serbia

In conversation with:

  • Ivan Gaspert

    Cluster Commercial Director at Hilton Hotels

  • Elena Klouda

    Senior Market Manager at The Hotels Network

  • Mladen Ljubisic

    Business Director at ONE66 Hotel

powered by:

14:40 – 15:15

Hall A

Sustainable Strategies for Hotel Logistics and Supply: Minimizing Costs, Maximizing Benefits

  • Ivona Meissner

    Director, Hotel Development Austria & Central Eastern Europe at BWH Hotels Central Europe

In conversation with:

  • Goran Babin

    General Manager at Le Premier

  • Ivana Dolenac

    Food Safety Specialist at Alca Zagreb

  • Nikola Raceta

    Director of Hospitality Operations at Best Hospitality Solutions

powered by:

Hall B

Maximizing Room Service Revenue: Optimizing Menus for Increased Profitability

  • Boris Semsedinovic

    Resort Director F&B at Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences Punta Skala

In conversation with:

  • Ante Markota

    Hospitality Consultant & Customer Success Manager at Hoteza Europe

  • Iva Svetac

    Marketing & PR Manager at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik

powered by:

15:15 – 15:30

Exhibitor Area

Coffee break

15:30 – 16:05

Hall A

Envisioning Tomorrow’s Hospitality: Hotel Rooms of the Future

  • Diana Lukic Grandov

    Rooms Division Manager at Maistra

In conversation with:

  • Zrinka Brekalo

    Hospitality Solutions Sales Manager at A1 Hrvatska

  • Danijel Vlahovic

    Hospitality Solutions Sales Coordinator at A1 Hrvatska

  • Arnoud Zaalberg

    General Manager at Le Meridien Lav

powered by:

Hall B

Unlocking Efficiency: The Optimization of Hotel Reception and Its Impactful Benefits

  • Mirko Gudelj

    Senior Vice President Software Engineering at Planet

In conversation with:

  • Matej Cvikl

    Manager at MC sistemi, Planet/Protel cloud PMS solutions

  • Sandi Kovacevic

    General Manager at CUBO Group

  • Danko Piknjac

    Director of Hotel Operations at Terme Sveti Martin

  • Martin Sabec

    Cluster Hotel Manager at Urban Group

powered by:

16:10 – 16:45

Hall A

From ordinary to extraordinary: redefining hospitality with Concierge services

  • Sarah Buljat

    Cluster Head Concierge at Lošinj Hotels & Villas by Jadranka turizam

  • Jasmina Huskic

    Head Concierge and Assistant Manager at Valamar Riviera

  • Gloria Luna Steiner

    Hotel Manager at Hotel Ičići by Liburnia Hotels & Villas

powered by:

18:30 – 19:30

Hall A

Pub Quiz: Drink, Think, Have Fun And Win

powered by:

19:30 – 21:00

Fortis Bar

Dinner – Munch & Mingle: Fueling Up

powered by:

21:00 – 21:30

Hall A

Charity bid: Where Laughter Meets Generosity

powered by:

21:30 – 02:00

Exhibitor hall + Hall A

Dance ‘Til Dawn

powered by:

Friday, November 17th

07:45 – 08:15

Meeting Point: Hotel Iadera Reception

“Vitamin Sea Morning Run” with Yvonne (Spa & Sport Expert within FMTG)

  • Yvonne Tesch

    Director Quality, People Development & Operational Excellence at Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group

09:15 – 09:50

Hall A

Sipping Knowledge: Engaging with the Keynote Speaker over a Cup of Coffee

  • Dalibor Sumiga

    Founder and Director at Promosapiens

09:30 – 10:00

Fortis Bar, Lounge Area

Hotel Mingle: Fueling Hotel Progress Through Speed Networking

09:30 – 10:00

Exhibitor Area

Il vero espresso Italiano or Wiener Mokka? A journey from Vienna to Venice in one gulp

  • Dejan Cipra

    Area Sales Manager at Segafredo Zanetti Croatia

  • Petra Knapová

    Central Europe Marketing Manager at Segafredo Zanetti

powered by:

10:00 – 10:35

Hall A

New ways of recruitment – How to reach the new generations effectively?

  • Igor Nekic

    Chief Operating Officer at Liburnia Hotels & Villas

In conversation with:

  • Renata Baskovec

    Corporate Director of Human Resources at Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group

  • Tamás Fehér

    Managing Director at Manpower

  • Heribert Scheikl

    Corporate Director of HR & Training at HR Group Wien Management

powered by:

Hall B

Synchronizing Efficiency and Warmth: How Technology Enhances the Personal Touch in Hotel Check-In

  • Mirko Gudelj

    Senior Vice President Software Engineering at Planet

In conversation with:

  • Sabīne Krieviņa

    Director of Project Management at Mogotel Hotel Group

  • Pavel Penkin

    Country Manager Eastern Europe at Kiosk Embedded Systems

  • Sabrina Regner

    Director of Guest Engagement & Reservations Mgm at FMTG Services

powered by:

10:35 – 10:55

Exhibitor Area

Coffee break

10:55 – 11:30

Hall A

Innovations and Trends in F&B: Vegan, Vegetarian, Alcohol-free, Local, etc. Keep it Simple – but Great

  • Vedran Gulin

    Manager at SOI fusion

In conversation with:

  • Christina Hiedl

    Group Director F&B at Ruby Hotels

  • Joan Josep Rull Moreno

    Director of Food & Beverage at Conrad London St.James

  • Vernon Strachan

    Culinary Director at Zsidai Group

Hall B

Hotel Stars: A Piece of the Puzzle, But Not the Whole Picture of Quality – Do Hotel Stars Really Matter?

  • Yvonne Tesch

    Director Quality, People Development & Operational Excellence at Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group

In conversation with:

  • Dragan Culibrk

    General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons

  • Stanka Karazija

    Owner at SK Tailor Made Solution

  • Mladen Ljubisic

    Business Director at ONE66 Hotel

powered by:

11:35 – 12:10

Hall A

The Power of Storytelling: Differentiating Yourself in a Crowded World

  • Leonardo Buzov Vulas

    Director of Sales & Marketing at Mövenpick Zagreb

In conversation with:

  • Jeremy Daudin

    Group Head of Sales at The Zetter

  • Daniela Rogulj

    Storyteller & Brand Ambassador at Maslina Resort

Hall B

The Next Level of Housekeeping: Modern Standards and Best Practices

  • Alfred Eeltink

    Chief Executive Officer at 4SUITES

In conversation with:

  • Adriana Dokmanovic

    Operations Manager at SAINT TEN Hotel

  • Ana Rajak

    Corporate Room Division Manager at Liburnia Hotels & Villas

  • Yvonne Tesch

    Director Quality, People Development & Operational Excellence at Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group

12:10 – 12:15

Hall A

Closing remarks

  • Andrea Skerlj

    Event Director at HOW Festival

12:20 – 15:00

Hotel Diadora

Lunch

REGISTRATION FOR HOTEL OPERATIONS WEEKEND ARE CLOSED.

COME BACK NEXT YEAR!

HOW SPEAKERS 2023

  • Martina Anusic

    Hospitality Support Supervisor at Falkensteiner Hotelmanagement

  • Nikola Avram

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Alpha Hotel Management & Valdarke

  • Goran Babin

    General Manager at Le Premier

  • Renata Baskovec

    Corporate Director of Human Resources at Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group

  • Luka Berger

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer at Flexkeeping

  • Linde Borger

    Regional Manager Europe at Hotels for Trees

  • Zrinka Brekalo

    Hospitality Solutions Sales Manager at A1 Hrvatska

  • Sarah Buljat

    Cluster Head Concierge at Lošinj Hotels & Villas by Jadranka turizam

  • Leonardo Buzov Vulas

    Director of Sales & Marketing at Mövenpick Zagreb

  • Dejan Cipra

    Area Sales Manager at Segafredo Zanetti Croatia

  • Dragan Culibrk

    General Manager at Four Points by Sheraton Ljubljana Mons

  • Matej Cvikl

    Manager at MC sistemi, Planet/Protel cloud PMS solutions

  • Jeremy Daudin

    Group Head of Sales at The Zetter

  • Adriana Dokmanovic

    Operations Manager at SAINT TEN Hotel

  • Ivana Dolenac

    Food Safety Specialist at Alca Zagreb

  • Alfred Eeltink

    Chief Executive Officer at 4SUITES

  • Tamás Fehér

    Managing Director at Manpower

  • Marina Franolic

    Managing Director Central and Eastern Europe at The Bench

  • Ivan Gaspert

    Cluster Commercial Director at Hilton Hotels

  • Mirko Gudelj

    Senior Vice President Software Engineering at Planet

  • Vedran Gulin

    Manager at SOI fusion

  • Marta Hancock

    Vice President Revenue Management for Central and Eastern Europe at Accor

  • Christina Hiedl

    Group Director F&B at Ruby Hotels

  • Jasmina Huskic

    Head Concierge and Assistant Manager at Valamar Riviera

  • Stanka Karazija

    Owner at SK Tailor Made Solution

  • Elena Klouda

    Senior Market Manager at The Hotels Network

  • Petra Knapová

    Central Europe Marketing Manager at Segafredo Zanetti

  • Sandi Kovacevic

    General Manager at CUBO Group

  • Sabīne Krieviņa

    Director of Project Management at Mogotel Hotel Group

  • Gorjan Lazarov

    Chief Executive Officer at Orea Hotels & Resorts