Q1: Your event was selected among the 55 best projects in Europe. What was the main inspiration, and how did you aim to overcome the “boring meetings” paradigm?
Inspiration came from our bold vision: to take Jezeršek’s culinary signature beyond borders and offer our guests a deeply immersive, unforgettable experience. The Next Horizon was not just a corporate event – it was a narrative journey, blending heritage, terroir and innovation.
We designed a multi-sensory experience through original food performances such as the Gourmet Catwalk, Plating Performance, Crudo Experience & Tuna Ritual, the interactive Taste the Vision installation, and the grand finale CulinART: Croquembouche. All of this unfolded within the dramatic ambience of Taggenbrunn Castle, perched among the Carinthian vineyards.
The fusion of culinary storytelling with live musical dramaturgy ensured that guests remained emotionally engaged throughout. The evening felt like a carefully directed stage performance — where food, music and place became one.
Q2: How did you practically balance innovative technologies with authentic human connection at your event?
Technology was always a supporting thread — never the lead. Digital signage, custom AV, and immersive lighting set the stage, but it was personal hospitality that anchored every moment: our 80+ team members greeted each guest with warmth, and chefs presented dishes in a live “kitchen theatre” format, fostering authentic face-to-face interactions.
QR codes enabled seamless guest management, while an AI smart scale showcased our zero-waste approach. Tech-enhanced culinary stations — including a conveyor-belt plating setup — invited guests into playful interaction, always accompanied by our friendly team, adding a personal touch at every step.
The emotional highpoints — from the operatic-electronic fusion by AntoNetta to the spontaneous transformation into a dance floor — were the result of thoughtful human curation. Still, AI mini-chef animations, big screen integrations, and live EDM digital performances amplified the immersive, shareable character of the event — without ever compromising its soul.
Q3: Which three elements would you say had the biggest wow effect on participants?
The setting and atmosphere – The majestic Taggenbrunn Castle, framed by vineyards and illuminated for the evening, gave the event a truly cinematic aura. The stunning concert hall, where the main program unfolded, added a magical dimension to the experience with its acoustics, elegance, and dramatic lighting.
Food performances – Elements like the Gourmet Catwalk, Plating Performance, Crudo Experience & Tuna Ritual, and the grand finale CulinART: Croquembouche transformed food into storytelling — engaging both the eyes and the palate in surprising, artistic ways.
The musical dramaturgy – AntoNetta’s haunting rendition of “Now We Are Free”, blending classical vocals with electronic beats, created a powerful emotional moment. This was followed by the high-energy set from Phly Boyz, which turned the hall into a vibrant, spontaneous dance floor. Guests were moved, energised, and completely immersed.
Q4: Sustainability and legacy are two key evaluation criteria. How did you ensure your event left a positive footprint after it ended?
Sustainability was not an afterthought but a foundational principle. We sourced regional, seasonal ingredients, forged partnerships with local producers, and adopted resource-efficient logistics, including consolidated transport. The use of AI-powered smart scales allowed us to monitor and reduce food waste, supporting our zero-waste goals while raising awareness among guests through live presentations.
Beyond environmental responsibility, we focused on building a long-term economic and cultural legacy. The event was not a one-off spectacle, but a strategic anchor in our expansion into Austria. Our collaboration with the Riedl family positions Taggenbrunn Castle & Winery as a premium event destination, integrating Jezeršek’s know-how and values directly into the Austrian market.
This legacy lives on through new cross-border collaborations, repeat bookings, and a strengthened culinary-tourism dialogue between Slovenia and Carinthia. What guests experienced during The Next Horizon is now reflected in ongoing business relationships, cultural exchange, and sustainable practices that continue long after the music stopped.
Q5: Which new ideas or formats (e.g., pop-up, hybrid, guerilla, CSR) did you experiment with for the first time?
We experimented with a multi-sensory dinner format, blending live performance, cross-border wine pairing, interactive installations, and thematic scenography. We fully integrated brand storytelling into every single course of the menu, transforming the dinner into a theatrical narrative.
We moved away from conventional plated dinners and introduced:
A Gourmet Catwalk, where dishes were presented like fashion statements, paraded and plated live in front of guests.
The Crudo Experience & Tuna Ritual – a raw course delivered through a symbolic, almost ceremonial presentation.
The Taste the Vision installation, which invited guests to interpret culinary art through a visual and interactive lens.
We also blurred the boundaries between dinner and performance, embedding surprise and dramaturgy along the entire guest journey — not just during the headline show.
This approach positioned food performance as a new and distinctive dimension in event catering — not just for us, but for the wider hospitality industry. By combining gastronomy with art and placing our team members at the heart of the experience, we took a bold step in redefining what catering can be.
We placed AI smart scales as part of an educational exhibit in the Museum. Guests could witness data gathering on food waste prevention, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and prompting reflection on planetary responsibility in an engaging, tech-assisted way.
Q6: How did you engage participants in co-creating the experience, and what impact did this have on the outcome?
We invited guests to become part of the journey with a personalised map. Through food performances such as the “Taste the Vision” installation and CulinART: Croquembouche, participants were able to interact with culinary art in real time. By engaging with the AI smart scale, they also experienced how food waste is measured — and how personal choices can directly impact sustainability.
By giving them agency — to choose the intensity of their journey, explore hidden corners of the castle, and select thematic culinary zones — we transformed them from passive observers into active co-creators.
This investment in experience led many to express interest in replicating the format, and the increased emotional resonance was clearly reflected in the post-event feedback.
Q7: What kind of feedback did you receive from the audience? Did you incorporate their response during the event?
Feedback was both glowing and practical: many guests described it as one of the best events they had ever attended. After the event, we received numerous messages of praise — not only for the culinary and visual experience, but also for the atmosphere, storytelling, and emotional impact.
We saw a tangible business response: over 100 qualified B2B leads were generated from the 500+ carefully selected attendees, including confirmed event bookings and new inquiries for food performance formats. Restaurant interest spiked in the days that followed, resulting in increased bookings and visibility.
Where possible, we also responded to guest feedback in real time – when interest exceeded expectations.
The event also triggered broader impact: Jezeršek’s cross-border expansion and the unveiling of Taggenbrunn as a new high-end event destination in Carinthia received extensive earned media coverage in both Austria and Slovenia.
Q8: In what ways has your event become a benchmark for others in the industry?
Already recognised in Slovenia as a leader in the catering industry and known for our creative culinary experiences, Jezeršek Catering has now extended this standard across borders.
The event is already being cited as a template for a cross-border, gastronomy-centric event concept. Regional tourism boards, event agencies, and potential business partners now view the Taggenbrunn–Jezeršek collaboration as a model for how to successfully fuse culinary excellence, venue heritage, and sustainability.
It also helped us set new internal benchmarks for the Jezeršek brand — particularly in terms of culinary storytelling, food performance formats, and elevated hospitality standards.
Our expansion into Austria with such a flagship event sent a clear message: a catering company can lead event innovation, not merely service it.
Q9: How does it feel to have your project evaluated both by an international jury and an audience through the 80:20 voting model?
It’s enormously validating. Jury evaluation rewards craftsmanship, strategy, and innovation; audience voting confirms emotional impact, authenticity, and resonance. When both converge, you know the event succeeded on all levels — creatively, technically, and experientially.
For us, being acknowledged by both the industry’s top professionals and the guests who lived the experience is deeply motivating. It reinforces our belief that excellence lies in the ability to connect the head and the heart — and, in our case, to elevate it through exceptional cuisine — and that bold, responsible event concepts have the power to move people and set new standards.
Q10: Which trends in the events industry do you see as most crucial for the future, and how do you plan to integrate them into your upcoming projects?
We see four interlinked trends as crucial for the future — all of which are already embedded in what we call the Jezeršek standard.
Sustainability – not just intent, but measurable action: menu optimisation, portion control, AI-powered waste tracking, and digital confirmations all contribute to waste reduction and responsibility.
Creative and innovative food performances – guests seek unexpected formats, rituals, and emotion-driven culinary concepts. We create new experiences for every event.
Flexibility and co-creation – we adapt to venues, goals, and budgets. We don’t just deliver – we partner.
Personalisation – from guest flows to tailored menus and interactive installations, our events are never one-size-fits-all.
Together, these values define the Jezeršek standard: a fusion of responsibility, creativity, partnership, and purpose — applied with precision and passion.
Q11: If you had an unlimited budget, which element would you add to elevate your event even further?
The truth is, for us, it’s about creativity, meaning, and the ability to surprise and connect. At Jezeršek, we’ve learned that innovation thrives within thoughtful constraints, and that bold ideas often come from a deep understanding of the guest.
Unlimited resources may offer more tools, but the true value of an event lies in the intention behind each moment — in how everything comes together: creative culinary, thoughtful set-up, immersive ambience, and above all, a client who trusts us to bring a shared vision to life.
That’s where the real magic happens.
Q12: What was your own personal highlight or most memorable moment from Conventa Crossover 2025?
The most memorable moment was when our work was formally recognised. It wasn’t just about receiving the award — it was about everything that led up to it: the months of preparation, the long hours, the creative risks, and the teamwork behind every detail.
When people acknowledge the effort, passion, and precision you’ve poured into something — and you feel the pride of your entire team reflected in that recognition — that’s truly unforgettable.
For us, this award was more than a trophy. It was a quiet moment of confirmation: what we do matters.
Find out more about Jezeršek gostinstvo here.
