Hosting Partners
15 September 2026
Pre Conference Day
Pre-Event Get-Together
powered by Nestlé Professional
16 September 2026
1st Conference Day
9.00 – 10.00
Face 2 Face – Speed Networking Session
powered by Hartstone Rochette
09.00 – 10.00
Networking & Coffee
10.00 – 12.00
Katrin Wissmann
dfv media group (D)
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Comunidad de Madrid, Ministry for Culture, Tourism and Sport
(ES)
Adress from the Community of Madrid
session details coming soon
tbd
Macro Perspectives: Global Economic Insights for Hospitality
session details coming soon
tbd
Circana
European Restaurant Market Overview and Outlook
session details coming soon
Inès Lima
McDonald’s Spain (ES)
Expert Perspectives from the Global Market Leader
session details coming soon
12.00 – 12.45
Networking & Lunch
12.45 – 13.30
Breakout Sessions
13.30 – 15.15
James Brown
Prezzo (UK)
Rebuilding Success: Prezzo’s Turnaround Journey
session details coming soon
Moderation: Andreas Karlsson, Sticks ‘n’ Sushi (UK)
Dr. Theo Ackbarow
AI-thought leader (D)
AI in Hospitality: Tools, Data and Live Prompting
session details coming soon
Dr. Marc Schumacher
SILENT KNOWLEDGE Institute (D)
What Is True When Everything Looks Real?
How Gen AI Will Change Content Marketing & Branding Forever
In this session, Dr. Marc Schumacher will explore one of the most profound shifts in perception in human history: a world in which reality is no longer unambiguous. As origins blur and AI produces content faster than it can be categorized, images and videos are no longer sufficient to determine whether something actually happened—and the mere existence of a recording no longer guarantees its truth.
Building on this, Dr. Schumacher will examine how the digital system as we knew it is losing its evidentiary power. With already around 50% of published content being AI-generated, over 100,000 new songs appearing on Spotify every day, and millions of people responding with new behavioral patterns, trends, and hypes, the session will unpack why these developments are not random, but signals of a deeper cultural shift. Attendees will gain insight into how this shift is already transforming markets, media, and brands.
15.15 – 15.40
Networking & Coffee
15.40 – 16.15
Breakout Sessions
16.15 – 18:00
Radu Savopol
5 togo (RO)
Scaling Super Fast and Without Fear - European Coffee Panel
session details coming soon
Moderation: Marta Pogroszewska, Bread Holdings (UK)
tbd
European Culinary Pioneers: Bold Concepts Shaping New Food Experiences
session details coming soon
Steve Tatham
Chief Creative Officer MDSX, former Walt Disney Imagineer & Exec. Director Epic Universe (USA)
I’ll Have What They’re Having: What Restaurants Can Learn from Theme Park Storytelling
Dining is no longer just about food—it’s about experience. In this keynote, explore how the world-building techniques used by theme parks transform ordinary visits into memorable journeys. Drawing from the design philosophy behind Universal Creative, we’ll look at how immersive storytelling, emotional connection, and carefully crafted environments keep guests coming back. Restaurateurs will discover practical ways to move beyond transactional dining and create story-driven spaces that turn meals into experiences.
18.00
End Day 1 & Departure for Dinner
Summit Night
17 September 2026
2nd Conference Day
9.00 – 10.00
Networking & Coffee
10.00 – 11.00
Welcome Back & Key Take-Aways Day 1
11.00 – 12.30
Collaborative Roundtables
Step into a dynamic, 90-minute session designed to go beyond traditional networking.
Our Collaborative Roundtables bring together small groups of participants, each guided by expert facilitators from both within and outside the restaurant industry, to spark meaningful, candid conversations.
Building on insights from Day 1, several facilitators will be familiar voices you’ve already heard on stage – giving you the opportunity to dive deeper into ideas, challenge perspectives, and continue conversations that resonated with you.
Each table will be led by a skilled moderator who will ignite discussion with thought-provoking, and at times controversial, questions. Expect lively debate, fresh viewpoints, and the chance to think differently about the key issues shaping the industry today.
This is not a passive session—come ready to engage, share your perspective, and connect with fellow EFSS participants in a highly interactive and energizing format.
12.30 – 13.00
Roundtable – Key Take-Aways
Conference Wrap-Up
13.00
Lunch & Goodbye