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Zadar poised to host global stars of the hospitality industry

HOW Festival 2025 will take place at the Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala in December

Oct 26, 2025

The ninth HOW Festival will take place between 3 and 5 December 2025 at the Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala near Zadar. It will unveil a completely new format – fewer panels, more inspiration, and performances by stars of the global hospitality industry.

Instead of classic panel discussions, the focus will be on top keynote speakers – true “stars” of the global hotel industry who will share their knowledge, experiences, and visions of the future through their lectures and interviews, with the aim of inspiring participants and encouraging the creation of new ideas. In addition, HOW introduces practical workshops dedicated to key aspects of everyday hotel business – from sales and marketing to technology and security – so that participants can acquire concrete tools and knowledge that they can immediately apply.

Featured speakers at HOW Festival 2025

This year’s program features exceptional global leaders whose work and ideas have shaped the modern hospitality industry. Some of them include:

Ryan Minton – “Thank You for Coming in Today”

An award-winning author, speaker, and Forbes Business Council member, known for his work in the fields of motivation and leadership. Minton will reveal how to create a culture of excellence within hotel teams and provide guests with a memorable experience.

Ivan Artolli – “Legends Talk”

One of Europe’s most renowned hoteliers, a former member of the Board of Directors of the Rocco Forte Group and General Manager of the legendary Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Artolli will share stories from his 40-year career – about luxury, authenticity, and the most important moments that shaped his perspective on managing the highest category hotels.

Luc Gesvret – “Beyond Discounts: Loyalty as a Driver of Trust and Long-Term Relationships”

After 20 years of experience in running the Accor Loyalty program, Gesvret brings deep insight into trust and loyalty-building strategies. His lecture will show how strong, long-term brands are built through guest relations and smart data management.

Hans Meyer – “Reimagining Hospitality: What the Hotels of Tomorrow Will Look Like”

Co-founder of the revolutionary brands CitizenM and Zoku, Meyer will talk about the future of hotels as multifunctional spaces that combine design, technology, and community. His vision of the hotel of the future opens a new chapter in the evolution of the industry where every room, space, and service is designed for people, their needs, and creativity.

Inspiration, knowledge, and experience in one place

“Just as every hotel facility requires renovation after a certain number of years, this year we decided to go back to the “drawing board” and come up with something new. I was guided by the idea of inspiration; I would like the participants to be inspired by what they will hear. I have known some of these speakers for many years, some for a little less time, and some I have not yet had the opportunity to meet in person, but I have something unique about them all – it is great to listen to them. These are people who carry so many stories, so much knowledge, so much experience… I hope they will affect the participants in the same way they affect me,” said Marina Franolić, director of the HOW Festival.

In addition to the main program, visitors can also expect a rich accompanying content – speed networking, pub quiz, stand-up performance, gala dinner, and evening party – as in all these years; a perfect combination of education, inspiration, and entertainment.

Find out more about the festival here: https://howfestival.com/.