As the global consumer-goods industry prepares for Ambiente 2026, hospitality emerges as a defining theme across the Dining segment. In this conversation, Thomas Kastl explains how new material showcases, expanded matchmaking tools and a strengthened HoReCa presence reflect changing behaviours in how we eat, host and design spaces. The result is a fair positioned to bridge creativity, sustainability and commercial opportunity for both retail and hospitality professionals.
Ambiente has long been a key meeting point for the global consumer goods industry. What defines the vision for 2026, and how does Dining contribute?
– Ambiente is about connection – bringing people, products and perspectives together to shape how we live, eat and host. In 2026, this idea is more pronounced than ever. Dining sits at the core of this because food culture reflects broader societal shifts. What started as a space for HoReCa has grown into a global platform where manufacturers, designers, chefs and hoteliers meet to explore what tomorrow’s hospitality could look like.
This year’s trend themes — brave, light, solid — capture design’s role in positive change. How are these ideas visible in dining and hospitality?
– They signal a desire for balance. We see courage in new material combinations, lightness in organic forms and transparency, and solidity in products designed to last. Together, these trends show that people want both innovation and familiarity – design that feels honest, tactile and human.
The curated trend worlds also point to more emotional ways of gathering. What does that mean for how we will host in the coming years?
– Dining is becoming more personal. The table is no longer just functional but a stage for experience. Warmth, tactility and a sense of storytelling guide how people want to host. It’s a multisensory moment – we eat with our eyes and hands as much as with our mouths.
Sustainability and durability are now baseline expectations. How are exhibitors responding?
– Sustainability is fully integrated into product development. Through our Ethical Style programme we highlight manufacturers working with circular thinking and renewable materials. A key addition for 2026 is “At the table with nature”, a showcase of sustainable and non-toxic materials for interiors and hospitality. It demonstrates that responsible choices and contemporary design increasingly go hand in hand.
Technology and craftsmanship are converging in new ways. Where do you see innovation happening?
– Innovation centres on technology that supports people rather than overwhelms them. Smart Kitchen solutions powered by AI take over routine tasks and free up room for creativity. Connected appliances are becoming more intuitive and aesthetically considered, with brands like Zwilling and Ilcar di Bugatti showing how precision and enjoyment can coexist.
Retail and hospitality professionals have long met in the Dining section. How are you strengthening this exchange?
– Networking formats are expanding significantly. Our new matchmaking tool connects verified contacts as early as ticket purchase and provides personalised recommendations. Special Interests such as Ethical Style, HoReCa and Contract Business help visitors orient themselves and deepen cross-sector conversations.
Ambiente runs alongside Christmasworld and Creativeworld. What value does this create?
– Together the fairs form a single ecosystem. Visitors move smoothly between tableware, festive décor and creative supplies, opening up unexpected ideas and business opportunities. Many buyers plan entire seasonal assortments across all three shows.
Consumers now look for authenticity and experiences when they dine. How is this influencing brands?
– Brands respond with timeless design and natural materials, but also modular concepts that allow personal expression. Eating together has regained importance as a social ritual, and hospitality is increasingly about atmosphere and emotion rather than just what is served.
The Trends 26+ highlight optimism and imagination. How central is storytelling for dining brands today?
– Storytelling is crucial, even in B2B. The most successful exhibitors create immersive presentations that communicate both craftsmanship and emotion. This builds trust and creates lasting impressions – and Ambiente is a natural stage for these narratives.
What do you hope visitors will take away from Ambiente 2026?
– Inspiration. Ambiente is a laboratory where craftsmanship meets technology, and where sustainability becomes tangible. Above all, the mindset defining 2026 is this: hospitality is culture – the art of making people feel welcome.