Key event for professionals in the restaurant and hotel industry in Central Asia — a showcase platform for industry leaders in hospitality, marketing, and management, as well as manufacturers of products, equipment, and technology solutions.

The goal of the forum and exhibition is to create a space for experience exchange, innovation demonstration, and networking. Participants get the opportunity to learn about current trends and bring their business to a new level.

Speakers
  • Philippe Bone
    Philippe Bone — Vice President for Development in CIS, Georgia, Cyprus, and Israel, Accor Hotels

  • Sergey Egorov
    Head of Development – Central Asia, Israel & CIS countries
    Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
  • Alexey Shatalov
    Development Director, Hilton Worldwide
  • Dinara Bogatyreva
    General Manager, Dovlatov Group, Sochi
  • Ruslan Zakirov
    Brand Chef of Ogonyok, AUYL and Spiros
  • Artem Kantsev
    Brand Chef, Qazaq Gourmet, Astana
  • Altynay Zhakanova
    Founder, bizou bistro, Astana
  • Ruslan Dauletalin
    Commercial Director, Buddha-Bar Astana
  • Zhanel Ualikhan
    Media journalist, creator and influencer
  • Dmitriy Belobrovsky
    Vice President of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association
  • Alexandra Lomakina
    Expert in Operational and System Management in the Restaurant Industry

  • Rustam Rakhimov
    Chef, “Umai”, Kazan
  • Nadezhda Turbanova
    Director of Development, Klevo / Arkady Novikov’s fish restaurants, Moscow
  • Olesya Appazova
    Chef-strategist and Founder, Appazov Branding Agency and Appazov Brand Academy
  • Alexander Kroitor
    Marketing and Joint Projects Development Director, Novikov Group & Family Garden
  • Andrey Zhdanov
    Brand Chef of the Modus Friends restaurant group, Moscow
Organizers
We are people from the industry. At the Qonaq Forum we bring together the best in the hospitality industry in Kazakhstan, the CIS, and the world to unite and develop the country!

  • Gulsara Elubayeva
    HORECA Tableware Expert, La Farfor
  • Leyla Oralbek
    Forum Director
  • Almira Abisheva
    PR Expert in HoReCa, Founder of terra.creative.buro and media The Publique
Program — Garden Hall
08:00 – 09:00
08:00 – 09:00
Registration
09:00 – 9:15
09:00 – 9:15
Opening Session: HoReCa in Kazakhstan: Past and Future
Leyla Oralbek
9:15 – 10:45
9:15 – 10:45
Trends and New Concepts in Hotel Business 2026: International Franchises. Boutique Hotels
Philippe Bone — Vice President for Development in CIS, Georgia, Cyprus, and  Israel, Accor Hotels
Sergey Egorov — Head of Development – Central Asia, Israel & CIS, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Alexey Shatalov — Development Director, Hilton Worldwide

10:45 – 12:15
10:45 – 12:15
Restaurateurs Session
Gurgen Basentsyan — Founder & CEO, Good Project, Astana


12:15 – 13:45
12:15 – 13:45
Gastronomic Trends through the Eyes of Chefs
Artem Kantsev, Brand Chef of Qazaq Gourmet Restaurant, Astana

Andrey Zhdanov, Brand Chef of Modus Friends Restaurant Group, Moscow

Evgeny Chekanin, Brand Chef of Selfie Restaurant, Astana

Rustam Rakhimov, Chef of Umai Restaurant, Kazan

Ruslan Zakirov, Brand Chef of Ogonyok, AUYL, and Spiros Restaurants, Almaty

Azamat Rakhmetullaev, Chef of Eva Wine Cafe and Aspan Restaurant, Astana

13:45– 14:15
13:45– 14:15
Coffee Break
14:15 – 15:45
14:15 – 15:45
HoReCa Design: New Space Formulas and Atmosphere
Andrey Lotash, architect and interior designer at Hidden Architecture (RAW, Astra Grand Cafe)

15:45 – 17:00
15:45 – 17:00
Bar and Coffee Industry of Kazakhstan 2026: Transition from Extensive
Dmitry Belobrovskiy, Vice President of the Kazakhstan Sommelier Association
17:00 – 18:30
17:00 – 18:30
Farm-to-Table: Cooperation of Farmers, Winemakers, and Cheesemakers  with the HoReCa Sector
18-30
18-30
Awards Ceremony & Afterparty
20-00
20-00
Afterparty
register
Program — Altai Hall
08:30 – 09:00
08:30 – 09:00
Registration
9:00 – 10:30
9:00 – 10:30
HoReCa 2.0: Innovations, Digital Solutions, AI, Systems for Accounting, Marketing, Sales and Management
10:30 – 12:00
10:30 – 12:00
Franchises and Scaling
Alexander Kroitor, Director of Marketing and Joint Projects Development, Novikov Group & Family Garden
Leila Oralbek, Franchising Director, 5642 Height by Novikov Group
Ruslan Dauletalin, Commercial Director, Buddha-Bar Astana

12:00 – 13:30
12:00 – 13:30
Modern Confectionery Engineering: Technology and Trends 2026
13:30 – 14:00
13:30 – 14:00
Coffee Break
14:00 – 15:30
14:00 – 15:30
HR in HoReCa: Recruitment, Adaptation, and Training for Managers
Alexandra Lomakin, expert in systems management and operations in the restaurant industry.
15:30 – 17:00
15:30 – 17:00
PR & Marketing. Branding of Restaurants and Hotels: Tools and Case Studies

Altynai Zhakanova, founder of Bizou, Astana

Olesya Appazova, founder of the Appazov branding agency and the first branding academy in Kazakhstan, Appazov Brand Academy.

register
Masterclasses
Business Management Strategies
Develop effective marketing strategies
Innovations in Restaurant Business
Gastro Dinners
As part of the Forum, a series of gastronomic dinners will be held at the best restaurants of  Astana — you can register by phone +7 705 412 10 08.
Forum Awards
We will conduct expert selection of the best projects and people shaping the industry.
Winners will be invited to a gala dinner with speakers and awarded on April 29 at the closing event.
Award categories include:

● HoReCa Project That Changed the Rules
● Tourism Growth Catalyst
● Local Roots, Global Standards
● The Quiet Hero of HoReCa
● Smart Kitchen Solution of the Year 
● Invisible Technology Award
● FoodTech with a Human Face
● Data-Driven Hospitality
● Service That Feels Personal
● The Most Emotionally Intelligent Waiter
● Back-of-House Excellence
● Talent Builder of the Year
● Community-Building Brand
● Authentic Storytelling in HoReCa
● Craft Beyond Trends
● From Farm to Glass/Plate
● Sustainability That Works
● Region to Watch
● Cultural Ambassador of HoReCa



Forum Results 2025
International forum for hospitality professionals. Speakers — representatives of HILTON, RADISSON, IHG, ACCOR, ABR, Novikov Group, Family Garden, etc.
More than 1,000 participants, 3 days of content, 50+ partners, and 30 speakers from the CIS and the world!

HoReCa FORUM 2025
Our partners
Participation Fees
SALE
VIP
100,000 KZT

All forum events, Gala Dinner with speakers, Afterparty, Coffee breaks, Access to materials, Access to QONAQ professional community.
BASIC+
35,000 KZT

All forum events, Coffee breaks, Access to materials, Access to QONAQ professional community.
BASIC
25,000 KZT
All forum events, Coffee breaks, Access to QONAQ professional community.
More products
Register
Sponsorship Packages
General Partner
Main logo on all event materials, exclusive VIP zone space, VIP tickets, individual dinner with speakers and VIP guests, social media mentions, PR article on official site, distribution materials.
Strategic Partner

Logo on main page of forum site, booth space, VIP tickets, branded coffee break, social media & email publications, PR article, distribution materials.

Partner

Logo in program and screens, booth space, standard tickets, branded welcome drink, social mentions.

Contacts
Phone: +7 705 412 10 08
Email: qonaqastana@gmail.com


Venue: Husayn bin Talal 25, Astana 010000, Kazakhstan — Wyndham Garden Astana

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