Conference
Conference Focused on Sustainability
From our own experience, we know that many hospitality conferences only touch on sustainability superficially. Often, the audience includes people who are interested, but they aren’t the ones who can truly make a difference in terms of sustainability within their organizations. As a result, the very organizations that are making a real impact—and deserve to be in the spotlight—too often fly under the radar. We want to change that!
That’s why, on March 20, 2026, we brought the industry together at the DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam CS for the premier event dedicated entirely to sustainability—for decision-makers who view sustainability not as an afterthought, but as a strategic priority: CEOs, CFOs, and sustainability managers who don’t just want to talk about change, but are committed to accelerating it.
The first edition
Our moderators Niek van den Adel and Maartje Nelissen set the tone from the very beginning, with energy, humor, and an openness that created space for genuine conversations.
In the keynote address titled “The Hospitality Reality Check, ” food trend watcher Gijsbregt Brouwer and food entrepreneur Maartje Nelissen took us beyond the familiar symbols of sustainability. They highlighted where the greatest opportunities lie for hotels that want to remain relevant and attractive in a rapidly changing world. It was inspiring, insightful, and above all, hopeful!
From the“Real Stories” panel featuring industry leaders Inan Sahin, Sustainability Strategist at Efteling; Hans Meyer, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Zoku; and Frank Tuhusula, General Manager of Hotel Jakarta, it became clear that sustainability works best when it isn’t a standalone initiative, but rather forms the foundation of your business operations. And that it doesn’t always have to be complex: making the vegetarian option the default, taking waste seriously, and measuring impact with clear KPIs are simple steps that can quickly make a big difference.
The workshops provided additional insight into topics ranging from behavioral change, business benefits, and hidden plastics to circularity, technology, and making impact visible. They offered an opportunity to reflect on what this means for your own organization.
Paul Sprakel Publisher of Hospitality Management and CEO of Mews Matthijs Welle engaged in an open conversation during aninterview about leadership and inclusion, and the trade-offs leaders make between commercial success and long-term responsibility.
The closing keynote, " Losgeroest," by Niek van den Adel brought it back to the essentials: resilience, gratitude, and collaboration. A personal story that touched many.
Read more about the first edition of the Future Ready Hospitality Conference here.
The second edition
After an inspiring and successful first edition, it's time to take the next step!
And we’re not doing this alone—we’re passing the baton. Floris Licht, our ambassador, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station, and host of the first edition, is symbolically handing the baton over to René Giel, Director of Kontakt der Kontinenten: the venue where the second edition will take place.
We look forward to once again bringing together hoteliers, innovators, and changemakers, united by a single common goal: building a future-proof hospitality sector where profit and positive impact go hand in hand.
Expect inspiring and honest conversations, innovative solutions, a festival atmosphere, and meaningful connections. All of this in the heart of nature, where you’ll meet people who, just like you, dare to take the next step.
The program will go online this fall.
