HOW Forward is our new eight-month mentorship programme — 10 emerging professionals, 10 senior leaders, and seven months of one-to-one guidance. Developed in cooperation with EHMA, launching at HOW 2026.
HOW Festival has always been at the forefront of innovation in hospitality. HOW Forward is our newest initiative — launching in 2026 — and reflects our commitment to shaping the industry’s next generation of leaders.
It’s an eight-month structured mentoring programme connecting 10 emerging professionals with 10 senior leaders from across the hospitality industry — developed in cooperation with EHMA, the European Hotel Managers Association. Pairs meet once a month, guided by the mentee’s personal career goals, with supporting materials from HOW Festival before every session. Mentors offer professional guidance and perspective — not coaching or personal advice.
In cooperation with
8
months — October 2026 to June 2027
10
mentoring pairs, matched one-to-one
7
monthly one-hour sessions
Submit your professional bio, career goals, a personal statement, and a letter of recommendation from your line manager. Deadline: 30 September 2026.
The selection panel reviews every application in October. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief 15-minute call — and every applicant hears back by 15 October 2026.
Selected mentees join a mandatory online orientation covering programme expectations, the SMART goals framework, and the code of conduct.
The programme officially launches at HOW Festival, where mentors and mentees meet for the first time.
Pairs meet monthly. In the first session, mentors help mentees set two or three SMART career goals; every session after tracks progress, with fresh prompts and materials from HOW Festival in advance.
HOW Forward is open to hospitality professionals who are early to mid-career and ready to invest in their own growth.
We actively encourage applications from underrepresented groups and across all sectors and backgrounds.
To be eligible, you must
Mentors are senior professionals drawn from HOW Festival’s extended network. They commit to the festival kick-off and all seven monthly sessions — and they bring their own professional experience, including the setbacks and pivots, to offer real, grounded perspective.
Each mentor is matched with one mentee based on career goals, sector, and fit. The match is kept confidential until the launch event: mentees find out who their mentor is when they meet at HOW Festival.
President of the Management Board
Liburnia Riviera Hotels
Chief Executive Officer
Terme Sveti Martin
General Manager
Mövenpick Hotel & Residences Kvarner Bay
Director of Operations
Aminess Hotels & Resorts
General Manager
Numa Group SE
Board Member
Maistra Hospitality Group
General Manager
Hilton Belgrade
Spaces are limited to 10 mentees — and every applicant hears back by 15 October 2026.
Applications open
6 July 2026
Application deadline
30 September 2026
Questions? how@hesa-group.com
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