Inspiration, innovation and connection

Afterthought - Hospitality Expo 2025

Horeca Expo 2025 at Flanders Expo Gent reaffirmed its position as the annual benchmark for the Belgian hospitality and hospitality sector. For four days, the fair became a vibrant ecosystem where thousands of professionals met among more than 600 exhibitors spread over eight themed halls. It was an edition where inspiration, innovation and entrepreneurship came together remarkably.

The offering reflected the full breadth of our sector: from food service and equipment to coffee specialists, interiors and hospitality technology. Horeca Expo remains the place where both established values and newcomers show how the market is evolving towards more sustainability, efficiency and experience.

The many demos, workshops and culinary master classes also gave visitors insight into the latest techniques and trends - not as loose ideas, but as concrete tools to get started tomorrow.

The Innovation Awards: the future in seven winners

An absolute eye-catcher again were the Innovation Awards, which year after year show where the real innovative strength of our sector lies. The 2025 winners gave a particularly comprehensive picture of the challenges and opportunities ahead.

• FOOD - GIGI Gelato (Greenyard Frozen): plant-based, innovative and surprisingly tasty thanks to combinations of fruit and vegetables.
• BEVERAGES - OLMI Beetroot Beer: an alcohol-free, vibrant alternative with character.
• TECHNOLOGY - Lightspeed Benchmarks & Trends: data-driven insights for every entrepreneur, made accessible within the restaurant ecosystem.
• KITCHEN EQUIPMENT - Print Pen (Cnudde): a compact printer for edible ink, ideal for personalised presentation and storytelling.
• FURNITURE & DECORATION - Fine2Dine EcoMade: tableware lines produced without fossil fuels, completely local and low-impact.
• HOTEL EQUIPMENT - Your Mobile Key (Hotek): secure, app-free access for hotel guests, a big step towards frictionless hospitality.
• SUSTAINABILITY AWARD - FoodWIN: proven impact in reducing food waste, on average up to 35 per cent less in large-scale kitchens.

These winners show where Horeca Expo really creates value: by making innovative ideas from various players - from startups to market leaders - visible and connected.

Networking and business momentum towards 2026

What this edition made clear once again is that Horeca Expo is more than a trade fair: it is a meeting place where ideas, collaborations and trends reinforce each other. Suppliers find new customers there, entrepreneurs discover technologies that advance their business, and partnerships often arise simply at a stand or between demonstrations.

In the run-up to 2026, a year when the sector will further professionalise and differentiate, Horeca Expo 2025 offered a clear compass: those who bet on innovation, sustainability, data and experience will build a future-proof model.

Watch the video below and soak up the atmosphere of this (yet another) successful fair. Speaking: Nancy Lippens (Horeca Expo), Duco Salomons (Hotek), Luc Peeters (Valor Services) and Emine Youssef (Lightspeed).