About HOW

By hotel people,
for hotel people.

HOW started in 2017 over a series of conversations with hospitality CEOs who kept saying the same thing: there’s no event in this region built for hotel people, by hotel people. So we built it.

The story so far

Ten editions, one family.

  1. 2017 Zadar

    HOW launched with a small group of operators who wanted a room of their own — by hotel people, for hotel people.

  2. 2018 – 19 Poreč · Valamar Resort

    We settled in at Valamar Resort, growing the audience year over year.

  3. 2020 – 21 Online

    COVID hit. We did what hospitality always does — adapted. HOW went online for two editions, and the family stayed the family, even through a webcam.

  4. 2022 Opatija

    Post-pandemic, we came back in person on the Kvarner coast.

  5. 2023 – 25 Zadar

    Back to Zadar for the next three editions, sharper every year.

  6. 2026 Novi Vinodolski

    For our tenth, we’re on the move again. New room. Same family. Same idea.

The minds behind the agenda

The Advisory Board.

They have only one goal in mind — to bring you thought-provoking content that reflects the latest industry trends and inspires new ideas.

  • Panos Almyrantis — President of European Hotel Managers Association,

    Panos Almyrantis

    President of European Hotel Managers Association

  • Ivan Artolli — The Leading Legend Award winner 2022,

    Ivan Artolli

    The Leading Legend Award winner 2022

  • Afroditi Arvaniti — Managing Director at Xenos Deluxe Hotel Group - Marriott Luxury Collection,

    Afroditi Arvaniti

    Managing Director at Xenos Deluxe Hotel Group - Marriott Luxury Collection

  • Tina Heyl — Senior Director Marketing and Workspaces at Ruby ,

    Tina Heyl

    Senior Director Marketing and Workspaces at Ruby

  • Mislav Malenica — CEO at Mindsmiths,

    Mislav Malenica

    CEO at Mindsmiths

  • Rusmir Rieger — General Manager at Numa Group SE,

    Rusmir Rieger

    General Manager at Numa Group SE

  • Boris Simm — Group Vice President Operations & Member of the Executive Board at Ruby Hotels,

    Boris Simm

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

  • David Taylor — CEO  at Kew Green Hotels,

    David Taylor

    CEO at Kew Green Hotels

  • Youri Sawerschel — Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Creative Supply,

    Youri Sawerschel

    Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Creative Supply

  • Kristian Šustar — CEO & Member of the Board, Jadran Hoteli Rijeka,

    Kristian Šustar

    CEO & Member of the Board, Jadran Hoteli Rijeka

Know someone who should be on this stage?

The best HOW lineups have always come from tips inside the room. If you’ve heard the best speech ever, or have a name we should be looking at — tell us who & why.

Pitch a speaker
The HESA team running HOW

The crew on the ground.

Marina Franolić — CEO & Founder

Marina Franolić

CEO & Founder

Paula Marjanović — Production Manager

Paula Marjanović

Production Manager

Mövenpick Resort & Spa, Kvarner Bay — beachfront and Adriatic sea view Mövenpick Kvarner Bay — resort grounds and pool Mövenpick Kvarner Bay — resort exterior at the waterfront Mövenpick Kvarner Bay — interior and guest spaces Mövenpick Kvarner Bay — terrace and sea outlook
The venue

Mövenpick Kvarner Bay hotel & residences

HOW 2026 takes over a beachfront resort on the Adriatic, in Novi Vinodolski — full conference facilities, sea-view rooms, and the kind of breakfast that earns its reputation. Stay on-site or at one of our partner hotels nearby; transfers run for everyone throughout the festival. See the accommodation page for all the options.

Accommodation & rates
Getting to Novi Vinodolski

How to reach the room.

Press & media

Everything you’d need to write about us.

how@hesa-group.com

The Pulse · Doors open in

Lead. Innovate. Repeat.

October 28 – 30, 2026 Mövenpick Kvarner Bay, Novi Vinodolski, Croatia
Get Tickets