Hostelería Summit 2026 To Bring Hospitality Industry Together

The Dominican Republic’s hospitality and gastronomy industries will come together on October 1 and 2, 2026, when Hotel Catalonia Santo Domingo hosts Hostelería Summit 2026, an expanded event designed to connect companies and professionals across hospitality, tourism, food and beverages, services, technology and innovation.

The summit represents a new stage for an initiative with more than a decade of experience creating meeting, training and business-development opportunities for the sector. Its organizers are positioning the 2026 edition as a broader platform that reflects the changing needs of an increasingly competitive and professionalized industry.

A Broader Platform For Hospitality Businesses

Over two days, hotel executives, restaurant operators, chefs, entrepreneurs, suppliers, distributors, brands and other industry professionals will have opportunities to establish business relationships, explore market trends and evaluate products and services aimed at improving their operations.

The program will combine a commercial exhibition with networking activities, conferences, industry panels, gastronomic experiences, demonstrations, competitions and other special events. The format is intended to connect companies offering products and solutions directly with decision-makers from hotels, restaurants, bars, supermarkets, catering companies and related businesses.

Propagas will participate as the event’s official host and presenting sponsor, while Levapan will serve as a co-sponsor. Restapack, Almacenes Carballo, Special Food and Baldom are also among the companies and brands participating as exhibitors and industry partners.

More Than 200 Chefs To Compete

One of the summit’s main attractions will be the Gran Premio Culinario, which is expected to bring together more than 200 chefs and gastronomy professionals competing across different categories.

The competition will test participants on preparation, creativity, technique and innovation, while providing a platform for professional recognition and development. Industry professionals and recognized figures in gastronomy will evaluate the competitors.

The scale of the competition underscores the role of gastronomy within the broader hospitality ecosystem and gives chefs an opportunity to showcase their skills before industry peers and potential business partners.

Industry Connections And New Business Opportunities

Beyond the culinary competition, Hostelería Summit is designed to function as a meeting point for the companies and professionals that make up the hospitality supply chain. Exhibitors will showcase products, equipment, services and other solutions for businesses operating across the sector.

That focus reflects the increasing integration of hospitality with technology, innovation, food distribution and specialized services. For operators, the event offers a setting to compare solutions and establish relationships with suppliers, while participating companies can reach professionals responsible for purchasing and operational decisions.

Organizer Marcelle Álvarez said the summit grew out of the evolution of a project that has worked for years to support the growth and professionalization of the industry. The new format, she said, is intended to move beyond a traditional trade fair by combining business, knowledge, experiences and professional connections.

With its October 2026 edition, Hostelería Summit is set to bring together different segments of the Dominican Republic’s hospitality value chain under a single event, reflecting an industry increasingly focused on specialization, innovation and stronger commercial connections.