[image]
[title]From September 2 to 4, La Rural will be filled with kitchens, technology, design and new ideas for the hospitality industry. Hotelga 2026 brings together industry professionals for three days of culinary competitions, talks, demonstrations and the trends that are transforming hotels and restaurants.
The 2026 edition features a pavilion dedicated to Argentine design, competitions such as the Federal Chefs Tournament and the World Pizza and Empanada Championship, as well as initiatives focused on sustainability and artificial intelligence.
What you’ll find at Hotelga 2026
Hotelga offers a broad look at the changes shaping the industry, with tools to optimize operations and initiatives designed to improve the experience of guests and diners. The focus is on connecting hotels, restaurants and other industry players with suppliers, products and services that can support their upcoming projects.
In addition to exploring the stands, attendees will be able to take part in conferences, live demonstrations, business meetings and industry-related experiences. The exhibition will also feature new provinces and brands from different regions of the country.
Technology, design and everything new coming to Hotelga
At Hotelga 2026, one of the main focuses will be technology and innovation. The program includes tools to digitize processes, optimize management and make hotel and restaurant operations more efficient.
There will also be equipment, products and live demonstrations offering an up-close look at some of the latest developments coming to the industry.
Argentine design will also have its own space at Hotelga Ar Design, returning under the curation of Marcela Fibbiani, from 90+10. Six national brands will bring furniture, décor, textiles, lighting, accessories and ceramic tableware designed for hotels and restaurants to the space.
The program will also feature different provinces and regions, with dedicated spaces from the City of Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Córdoba, Neuquén and Norte Grande. The idea is to discover what is being produced and what proposals are emerging from different parts of the country for the hotel and gastronomy industries.
And amid all the technology, there is also something to look at from a different perspective: what people are drinking. There will be spaces dedicated to wine, featuring wineries from different Argentine provinces through SecTur; a Beer Plaza with more than ten craft beer brands, coordinated by Martín Boan, the country's first beer sommelier; and a dedicated space for vermouth. Because yes, what makes it to the bar also says a lot about where the industry is headed.
The topics shaping the Hotelga Summit agenda
The Hotelga Summit comes with a packed agenda covering politics, economics, tourism, design, sustainability and talent. The first day will kick off with a panel on the political landscape and public opinion, featuring journalist Luciana Geuna and political consultant Mora Jozami.
There will also be a meeting on economic outlooks for the hotel and gastronomy industries, with economists Antonio Aracre and Matías Kulfas, as well as a Governors' Forum, with the confirmed participation of Jorge Macri and Alfredo Cornejo. The sessions will take place in the Main Auditorium and will be moderated by journalist and analyst Ramón Indart.
At the Open Auditorium, consulting firm STR will take a closer look at hotel performance in Argentina and the region, upcoming demand and new developments. Meanwhile, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts will tackle a key issue for the sector: what is true—and what isn’t—about hotel franchises.
On the second day, the focus shifts to regional tourism. The Main Auditorium will host a conversation on the challenges facing hospitality and tourism in Latin America, with representatives from the leading hotel associations of Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay, Peru and Colombia.
Sustainability will be another major topic at the event. The Grand Final of the Sustainable Hospitality Competition will bring together projects and initiatives from Argentina, Chile, Uruguay and Paraguay.
If you’re interested in the more creative side of hospitality, the Open Auditorium will host a talk on lighting trends and how light can transform the guest experience while keeping profitability in mind. The talk will be led by architects Mariana Tambussi and Sabrina Mandel, founder and director of SMLD Lighting Design Studio.
On the final day, the focus will turn to talent and the new challenges facing hospitality workers. The talk “Four generations, one common goal: leadership and human talent management” will be led by Patricia Jebsen, a speaker, author and content creator specializing in work, leadership and professional careers.
And as the agenda draws to a close, there will be room for something more relaxed: Cerrame la Ocho and Late Check-Out will bring their podcasts to Hotelga for live episodes.
Pizza, empanadas and more reasons to take a closer look at the culinary offerings
Gastronomy will also have several major highlights. One of them will be the Grand Final of the Federal Chefs Tournament, which this year celebrates its 10th edition. The winning teams from the qualifying rounds will compete for the national title, putting their technique, creativity and connection to their regions’ culinary roots to the test.
The second edition of the World Pizza and Empanada Championship will also take place, organized by APYCE. The competition will feature 12 categories, ranging from Argentine Muzzarella and Fugazzeta to Roman Pizza, Neapolitan, freestyle, stretching speed and different empanada styles. And there’s a plan here for competition fans: see who stretches the dough best, who cooks the fastest and who takes home the title.
Meanwhile, the Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Confectioneries and Cafés (AHRCC) will once again organize the Taste Culinary Summit as part of the exhibition and, together with the City Government, will announce the new list of establishments recognized as “Iconic Restaurants of Buenos Aires.”
The Exhibitor Conferences will round out the program with more than 20 sessions led by participating companies, which will showcase new products, technologies and solutions, as well as host live demonstrations.
The latest innovations you’ll find in the pavilions
Beyond the talks and competitions, Hotelga also showcases everything happening behind the scenes in hotels and restaurants: from robotics and technology to equipment, design and day-to-day solutions. The Technology Hub will bring together companies specializing in artificial intelligence, software and robotics, with tools designed to make work in hotels and restaurants simpler and more efficient.
There are things we see every day and rarely stop to think about what happens behind them: the water that reaches the table, tableware, kitchen equipment, laundry or even the sound of a restaurant. Hotelga puts all of this front and center.
Among the exhibitors is BACAPCOL, with commercial robotics solutions for the hotel and gastronomy industries. Cooking Solutions, from Conectech, will showcase professional kitchen equipment, while Divix offers a platform for managing digital tips.
There are also more everyday products, such as Sustentime’s premium disposable tableware, Alocal’s microfiltered water system and Casa Gourmet’s fifth-range food products.
The tour also includes furniture, lighting, décor and equipment, as well as wellness options from Technogym. These are joined by Barcia’s industrial laundry machines and professional audio systems from ARS Technologies.
How to visit Hotelga 2026: everything you need to know
- When: September 2–4, 2026
- Where: La Rural Predio Ferial, Av. Sarmiento 2704
- Hours: 1pm–8pm
- Admission: Free, with prior registration
- Who can attend: Business owners and professionals from the hotel, gastronomy and tourism industries.