Welcome to our Festival Day, your chance to see some of the world’s brightest minds speak on the Arena main stage on the future of hospitality, AI, and travel culture, and gain the latest insights into Design Hotels.

This year, we’re proud to call Visa our headline partner, as well as 25 global and local partners spanning interior design, fashion, beauty, F&B, tech, and more. During the day, you’ll be invited to visit their dedicated spaces and see how their visions come to life. 

Transfer Times

Lana to NOI Tech Park: 8.30am, 8.45am
Lana, Vigilius Mountain Resort Gondola to NOI Tech Park: 8.40am, 9.15am
Bolzano to NOI Tech Park: 8.50am, 9.05am

Valerie Präkelt, Moderator 
Kicking off the program and taking you through the day is Valerie Präkelt, a Berlin-based journalist and former Lead Editor at Architectural Digest Germany. A natural storyteller, Valerie brings both insight and energy to the stage.

Will Guidara, Restaurateur, Author 
Topic: Unreasonable Hospitality: How Giving People More Than They Expect Can Get You To #1

Design Hotels Updates 
Insights from Stijn Oyen, Managing Director, Sarah Doyle, VP, Global Brand Leader & Deputy Managing Director, and Christian Malcher, Senior VP, Commercial Operations 

Lunch:12.30pm
Provided by Pramo Alto

You’ll be invited to check out our partners spaces—with installations by Westwing Business, Wagner Living, Maison Deux, Prima, and vetsak—and our custom-made library presenting the 2025 Design Hotels Book, Designed to Stay, giving you an exclusive first preview before its global release.

Design Hotels Portfolio Update
Insights from Kurt Slanaker (Director of Brand Portfolio
& Partnerships, AMERS), Paul Radny (Director Brand Portfolio, EMEA), and Belmond Lee (Director Brand Portfolio APAC), moderated by Original Christiane Wassmann of Rastrello

Jain Jitendra, Hospitality Loyalty Leader and AI Trailblazer
Topic: Climb Higher with AI: Tools to Elevate the Original in You

Afternoon Break
With dessert by Pramo Alto Canteen, coffee by Lavazza, and wine by Consorzio Alto Adige Wines

Chris Sanders and Martin Raymond, The Future Laboratory
Topic: The New Liturgy

Final Reflections by Stijn Oyen

Transfers back to Hotels
4.30pm to 5pm

Please bring a jacket or other layer to keep you warm during the evening, and note that our venue will have cobbled walkways, which you may want to consider when choosing your footwear.

7:30pm to 2am: Seated Dinner & Club Arena at Alois Lageder, Margreid

In the evening, we gather at Alois Lageder in Magreid—a family-owned winery operating since 1823 and a pioneer of biodynamic winemaking—for dinner, celebration, and dancing amid vineyards that rise from 200 to 1,000 meters above sea level.

Transfer Times
Lana to Alois Lageder: 6.45pm, 7pm
Lana, Vigilius Mountain Resort Gondola to Alois Lageder: 6.45pm
Bolzano to Alois Lageder: 6.45pm, 7pm
Alois Lageder to Lana: 11.30, 12am
Alois Lageder to Lana, Vigilius Mountain Resort Gondola: 11pm
Alois Lageder to Bolzano: 12.30am, 1am, 1.15am

Please note that buses will be available from 11pm to 2.15am.