196+ forum Vienna

Save the Date: 22 - 24 November 2026

The 196+ forum Vienna is an annual leading hospitality conference for hospitality investment & innovation. Together with international partners and forward thinkers we create an international platform that builds bridges and connects experts from various sectors, bringing tourism, culture and hospitality closer together.

During our three-day event, we provide valuable networking opportunities, panel discussions and cross-industry learnings with the main question being: What can we learn from each other and how can we cooperate?

This was 196+ forum Vienna 2025

With an attendance of 150+ stakeholders from the hospitality industry including investors, developers, lawyers, real estate companies, hotel operators, consultants, architects, and designers, the event was a vibrant platform for exchanging industry knowledge and exploring emerging trends in innovation, Artificial Intelligence & Robotics.

After kicking off the event with our Welcome Reception at Mariott Hotel, we started the conference at Park Hyatt with a keynote by Florian Holste and Dr. Oliver Kemmann on “Rethinking the Future of Hospitality in the Age of AI”. Together they revealed how an “enterprise brain” transforms the way organizations operate and how hospitality leaders can create spaces that truly resonate in a world of constant change. Esteemed experts on various fields in hospitality came together in a focus session to shine a light on the transformation in hospitality providing the audience with tangible solutions to embrace the digital journey. Our second keynote speaker, Emily Kate Genatowski, elaborated on her experience of sharing her home and life with a domestic AI, her robot TOVA. In the afternoon, attendees could take a deep dive in our educational and interactive Masterclasses, before enjoying a Hospitality Homecoming Review of 2025 by Michael Widmann, who awarded Accor as “Fastest growing hospitality group in Europe in 2025” and B&B Hotels as “Fastest growing hospitality brand in Europe in 2025”.

Another highlight was the celebration of the Hotel Innovation Award with the finalists Radisson RED Vienna, Best Western Plus Hotel De’ Capuleti Verona, and nhow Milan presenting their outstanding implementation of AI & Robotics. Our heartfelt congratulations to the winner of the Hotel Innovation Award 2025, Radisson RED Vienna, Austria!

After an inspiring conference day, we celebrated a successful year at our Festive Dinner at Le Méridien Vienna.

We would like to thank our esteemed moderators, speakers, Hotel Innovation Award finalists, attendees, exhibitors and partners for their valuable contributions and active engagement. Let’s stay connected, inspire and learn from each other, and shape the future of hospitality!

Programme 2025

Highlight: The Hotel Innovation Award 2025

Just like innovations continuously change so does the focus of 196+ forum Vienna and the criteria for winning the Hotel Innovation Award. While the last years revolved around Human Resources, Sustainability, and Technology, the focus of this year‘s event was "AI & Robotics". Hotel groups, hotel brands or hotels situated in Europe applied for the Hotel Innovation Award 2025 and showcased their innovative use of AI & Robotics live on stage.

Out of all applicants, an independent jury shortlisted three finalists, who then pitched their innovative concepts on stage at 196+ forum Vienna. The audience was invited to participate via Mentimeter and anonymously decided on the winner in a final voting.

Congratulations to the winner of this year’s Hotel Innovation Award 2025 Radisson RED Vienna, Austria, and our finalists Best Western Plus Hotel De’ Capuleti Verona, Italy, and nhow Hotel Milan, Italy!

We would like to thank all participating hotels for their inspiring applications!

Hotel Innovation Award 2025