The Smart Business

From good to gold: balance between idealism en profit.

For the decision-makers in the hospitality industry.

Many hospitality entrepreneurs are already doing more than they think: purchasing smartly, managing staff efficiently, and organizing processes tightly. That's precisely why the step toward more sustainable business practices is often smaller than expected. Think of easy-to-implement measures such as energy-efficient equipment that directly reduces your costs, less food waste that increases your margin, or taking advantage of subsidies for sustainable investments.

This program shows how you can make a big impact with small steps — for your wallet and for the future of your business. No idealistic stories, just smart choices that can be worth their weight in gold.

"From good to gold: sustainable entrepreneurship your way."

REQUEST A FREE TICKET!*

*Please note: the programme for The Smart Business is in Dutch.

Speakers The Smart Business

Moderator

Thijs Koster is co-founder of My Treats, former Michelin-starred entrepreneur and concept developer with a strategic mind and a social heart.

Thijs combines sustainability and entrepreneurship, focusing on consumption, the environment, energy, water and mobility. His mission: to create impact through transparency, conscious choices and a future-oriented restaurant experience.

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Gijsbregt Brouwer is the leading Dutch food trend watcher, writer and entrepreneur.

Gijsbregt has more than twenty years of experience at the intersection of gastronomy, hospitality and consumer culture. He has built a strong reputation for identifying emerging trends early on, even before they reach the mainstream. Gijsbregt is the founder of De Buik, a culinary media platform, co-host of the Bekt Lekker podcast, author of books on hospitality and curator of trend tours through Europe and Asia.

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Maartje Nelissen is co-founder of The Food Line-up and founder of Plant FWD

As a sustainable food strategist, Maartje Nelissen develops groundbreaking food concepts with chefs and local heroes for leading festivals and conferences such as DGTL, World Summit AI and The Next Web. Through her work, she helps brands and events make sustainability attractive and scalable through menus, storytelling and strategies that combine impact and experience.

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Panel members The Smart Business

Bob Dolphijn is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Sababa

Sababa is a Dutch fast food chain inspired by Middle Eastern cuisine. Since 2019, he has been building a brand that offers fast, tasty and responsible food, with many vegetarian and vegan options. Bob focuses on growth and franchising to expand Sababa nationwide.

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Joyce Blommaart is project manager at Klimaatroute

Every day, Joyce works to get people moving today for a sustainable world tomorrow. As a consultant, she has gained a wealth of knowledge and experience in making businesses more sustainable and energy efficient. She has supported more than 500 entrepreneurs in making their premises future-proof. In her projects, she works towards a single common goal: zero energy consumption.

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Thomas van Houten is an advisor at RVO.

As coordinator of the SME support programme, he has gained experience in helping small business owners take steps towards creating a future-proof organisation. RVO offers various programmes and schemes that can help you as an entrepreneur. Thomas will talk more about this during the “Smart Business” Symposium.

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Your route at Horecava

Date: Tuesday, 13 January 2026
Locatie: TrendLAB Theatre | Hall 3 - Entrance K

11.45 hour: Welcome
12.00 hour: Start symposium

The Smart Business: symposium with themes such as energy and cost savings, subsidies and food waste.
Networking & meeting: engage in conversation with fellow decision-makers and be inspired by new ways of thinking.
Trend tours: organised by CONTRAST; discover the TrendLAB with, among other things, current applied trends, Table Talks and AI masterclasses.

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Sign up

The hospitality industry has a bright future, but only if it is sustainable. During this inspiring program for progressive hospitality entrepreneurs, you will discover how smart, achievable steps toward sustainability lead to higher returns and a stronger sector. From circular concepts to energy savings and conscious food choices: together, we will show you how to do business sustainably without compromising on experience or profit.

Would you like to stay informed about the symposiums and the rest of the Horecava 2026 program? Sign up for our newsletter!

Tim van Tiel

Senior Sales Consultant

t.v.tiel@rai.nl

+31 (0)6 390 54 305

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Become a partner?

Does your company or institution align with the content of the symposium 'Make your business greener? Then become a partner! During this substantive event, you will come into contact with your target group, there will be plenty of opportunities for networking, you will be visible in all communications about the event, and you will have the opportunity to make visitors an exclusive trade fair offer after Horecava.

Want to become more sustainable together? Join as a partner of the symposium ‘Make your business greener’ and reach decision-makers in the hospitality industry. Check the brochure for all the possibilities.

➡️ Check out the brochure

➡️ Send us an email

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Thijs Koster is co-founder of My Treats, former Michelin-starred entrepreneur and concept developer with a strategic mind and a social heart.

Bob Dolphijn is an entrepreneur and co-founder of Sababa

Joyce Blommaart is project manager at Klimaatroute

Tim van Tiel

Senior Sales Consultant

t.v.tiel@rai.nl

+31 (0)6 390 54 305

Become a partner?

➡️ Check out the brochure

➡️ Send us an email

About Horecava

Horecava is the leading platform for the foodservice industry. Horecava supports hospitality entrepreneurs and decision-makers in the world of food, beverages and out-of-home accommodation all year round — both online and offline. Each year, Horecava also hosts the largest Dutch trade show by and for the foodservice industry. Around 60,000 hospitalityprofessionals from over 30,000 companies visit the event.

Newsletter - Stay up to date

Join our community for free and receive the biweekly Horecava newsletter filled with articles, practical tips and the latest trends and developments from the hospitality industry.

Contact us

Horecava
P.O. Box 77777, 1070 MS Amsterdam

Europaplein 24, 1078 GZ Amsterdam
The Netherlands

horecava@rai.nl

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The Smart Business

From good to gold: balance between idealism en profit.

"From good to gold: sustainable entrepreneurship your way."