At its core, HumanX stands for Human Experience, Excellence and Experimentation. It’s a space to explore how empathy, creativity, and human-centric thinking can shape the way we lead, work, and live. HumanX embodies the evolving story of what it means to be human in a rapidly transforming world. The “X” represents the intersections where humanity meets change and technology, where innovation meets emotion, where the past meets the future, and where new forms of connection – both digital and human – are continuously redefined. It also represents the experience itself: how we feel and relate in an increasingly complex environment. 

Powered by the EHL Innovation Hub, the Summit invites us to expand the boundaries of human potential and to reimagine a shared future, one where humanity remains at the center of progress. 

What to expect

The EHL HumanX Summit, powered by the EHL Innovation Hub, brings together visionaries from hospitality, travel, and service industries for two transformative days of leading with hearts, hands, and minds:

• Inspiring talks and fireside chats with leaders
• Cutting-edge research findings and trends
• Hands-on workshops and challenges
• Immersive – and gastronomic experiences
• Curated matchmaking and networking

It’s more than a summit, it’s where bold ideas turn into real solutions.

Summit 2026 Agenda

Leading with humanity: Where connection and care drive strategy

Building on the essence of HumanX, the 2026 edition explores what it truly means to lead with humanity in an age of transformation. In a world driven by technological advancement, genuine connection has become both a differentiator and a strategy. This year’s Summit invites leaders to re-design human experiences across different industries from healthcare to hospitality and from finance to retail. Rooted in hospitality’s timeless ethos of service and care, this theme demonstrates how economic success and human flourishing can reinforce one another.

It calls on every actor to cultivate more connected, compassionate and people-centered systems and cultures.

19 May – Main Stage

19 May – Participatory Sessions

20 May – Main Stage

20 May – Collaborative Sessions

EHL HumanX Summit Tickets

19-20 May

Who is this for:

Senior industry professionals, cross-sector executives and curious minds looking for strategic insights, actionable solutions and high-level networking

• Full access to all Summit activities across both days
• Access to Collective Challenge
• 40+ total sessions 
•  All F&B experiences: 2 breakfasts, coffee breaks, EHL Signature Lunch, Dinner, Innovation Lunch & closing networking apéro 
• Access to the HumanX networking platform & app 
• Access to founders, executives, investors, thought leaders and industry leaders
• Possibility to apply for the investors track 
•  Priority access to 2027 super early bird tickets

CHF 630.00

A day pass option is also available through the link above.

19-20 May

Who is this for:

Start-ups (early-stage) and scale-ups (high-growth) seeking learning, visibility for their brand and solution, as well as meaningful connections with investors, partners and industry leaders

• Full access to all Summit activities across both days
• Access to Collective Challenge
• 40+ total sessions
• All F&B experiences: 2 breakfasts, coffee breaks, EHL Signature Lunch, Dinner, Innovation Lunch & closing networking apéro
• Access to the HumanX networking platform & app
• Access to executives, investors, thought leaders and industry leaders
• Possibility to apply for the pitch session 

CHF 315.00

A day pass option is also available through the link above.

19-20 May

Who is this for:

Open to students, next-generation changemakers and non-profit organizations eager to gain insights, exchange ideas, and contribute to shaping the future 

• Full access to Summit activities across both days
• Access to Collective Challenge
• 40+ total sessions
• All F&B experiences: 2 breakfasts, coffee breaks, EHL Signature Lunch, Dinner, Innovation Lunch & closing networking apéro
• Access to the HumanX networking platform & app
• Access to innovators, experts and business leaders

CHF 95.00

A day pass option is also available through the link above.

Our 2026 Speaker Highlights

Speakers

Satya Anand

Group President for US, Canada and CALA at Marriott International

Dr. Joy Chen

Investor, Advisor, Board Director 

Jason Silva

Futurist & Emmy-Nominated TV Host

Saadia Zahidi

 Managing Director & Member of the Managing Board, World Economic Forum

Oliver Zeidler

Olympic Champion Paris 2024, German Rowing Team

Chef Norbert Niederkofler

Chef Patron & Ethical Chef, Atelier Moessmer Norbert Nierderkofler

Maud Bailly

 CEO Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems 

Paola Catapano

 Science Communicator, Explorer & Entrepreneur at CERN, and Co-Founder of S’ialia 

Dr. Carole Ackermann

Chairwoman and President, EHL Group

Asif Alidina

Founder & CEO, Inntelo AI

Dr. Bertrand Audrin

Assistant professor in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior, EHL 

Gerard Bernal

Director, Capital Certainty CH

Diane Binder

Founder & CEO of Regenopolis, Co-founder of 700’000 heures Impact

Inès Blal

Associate Professor EHL Hospitality Business School & Co-Director of EHL Institute of Nutrition R&D

Dr. Adrienne Boissy

Chief Medical Officer, Qualtrics

Bianca Bonetti

Founder, Sisterpreneurs

Valérie Bures

Serial Entrepreneur, Partner & Managing Director Germany, XAnge

Hellas Cena

Pro-Rector for Third Mission, Professor of Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition, University of Pavia

Dr. Valentina Clergue

Assistant Professor of Marketing, EHL 

Dr. Nancy Coleman

Dean of Continuing Education and Extension, Harvard University

Jurgis Didžiulis

Transformational Troubadour, Professional Speaker & Community-Catalyst 

Marcel Egger

Director, SICTI

Susie Ellis

Chair & CEO, Global Wellness Institute & Global Wellness Summit

Dr. Sébastien Fernandez

Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior, EHL 

Lucine Flett

Founder of Studio Lucine,  Entrepreneurship & Leadership Coach at Graines d’Entrepreneurs 

Ilona Guérin

President, Young Hospitality Summit

Alina Hernandez

Founder of Wellness Innovation Hub, Global Wellness Institute

Dr. Lisa Hehenberger

Dean, ESADE Business School

Farhad Heydari

Founder & Chief Executive Officer, House of Heydari / Executive Development Partner,  Global Hotel Alliance

Dr. Nicole Hinrichs

Associate Dean Degree Programs, Graduate School, EHL 

Christian Hürlimann

Director, HotellerieSuisse 

Dr. Alessandro Inversini

Full Professor in Marketing, EHL

Andrew Katz

Partner, Prospect Hotel Advisors LLC

Dr. Aradhana Khowala

CEO & Regenerative Tourism Expert

Dr. Sowon Kim

Associate Professor and Founder of Women in Leadership (WIL), EHL 

Nicola Gryczka Kirsch

Social Entrepreneur, Innovator and Entrepreneur in Residence, EHL Next

Guy Krenzer

Executive Chef & Creative Director, Lenôtre &Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Cuisine & Charcuterie)

Paolo Guida

Head of Investments, Blockchain Valley Ventures

Dafina Kokollari

Innovation Business Manager, EHL Next

Sabine Krauss

Global HR Executive (Former CHRO, Hilti) & Board Member

Mirko Lalli

Founder and CEO, The Data Appeal Company

Frank Marrenbach

CEO and Managing Partner, Althoff Hotels

Jean-Jacques Morin

Deputy CEO, Accor Group

Sofia Meakin

Olympic Athlete, Swiss Rowing

Andrea Monti

CEO, EHL Next

Christine Merckelbagh

Co-founder and Managing Director, Label Gamelle

Anna Nash

President, Explora Journeys

Christopher Norton

CEO, Equinox Hotels

Kelly Ommundsen

Head of Digital Inclusion & Member of the Executive Committee, World Economic Forum

Dr. Achim Schmitt

Dean, Member of Executive Leadership Team and Full Professor of Strategic Management, EHL

Bernold Schroeder

CEO and Managing Partner, MINPER Hotels

Adam Tihany

Designer and Founder & Principal Design, Tihany Design

Olivier Theytaz

Group Research and Innovation Director, Richemont

Dr. Markus Venzin

CEO, EHL group

Anna West

Founder, Sleep2perform

Chris White

 Technology Executive · Leadership Strategist · Author 

Put your brand in the spotlight!

Book a booth to showcase your latest products, services, or innovative solutions to a global audience of hospitality, travel, and service industry leaders. Benefit from high visibility, direct engagement opportunities, and meaningful conversations with decision-makers, investors, and innovators throughout the Summit.

F&B Start-ups:

Showcase your innovative food or beverage concept!

We will feature 15 carefully curated food start-ups and exhibitors during lunch on both days of the event, offering participants an immersive and dynamic food experience. Interested in showcasing your concept?

Co-creation Partner

Premium Partner

Summit Partners

Media Partners

Supporters

Eco-system and Content Partners

Get involved

Join us in shaping the future of service, travel, and beyond at the EHL HumanX Summit 2026.

Whether you’re looking to amplify your brand, showcase innovations, or co-create bold solutions, this is your chance to take part in a high-impact ecosystem of global leaders, startups, and changemakers.

Choose how you’d like to get involved — from sponsorships and booth activations to challenge collaborations or speaker opportunities. Our team will connect with you to explore the best fit.

• Become a sponsor – amplify your brand and spark real dealflow
• Have a booth – showcase your products, services, or F&B concept
• Give a challenge – present a real-world problem to be solved by innovators
• Send a delegation – bring your team, colleagues, or community and enjoy special group rates, tailored coordination, and an enhanced Summit experience
• Become a student volunteer – support the summit, gain rewarding experience and connect with key industry players

Complete the form below to express your interest and join us on campus for two days of bold ideas, real collaborations, and meaningful impact.

Need Accommodation ?

On-campus accommodation is available in limited quantity and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

To request a room, please complete the form via the link below, using the code: HumanX2026

Please note, no accommodation request will be taken after Friday 8th May.

For any questions or assistance, please contact the Housing & Parking office:   

EHL Open Innovation Summit 2025

The inaugural EHL Open Innovation Summit 2025 brought together 400 participants, 48 speakers from 20+ countries, and 25 student volunteers for 1.5 days of connection, learning and real-time co-creation.

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