Milan, 17 March 2025 – In which direction are emerging trends in hospitality design moving? Industry insiders and experts agree: we are moving towards an increasingly sophisticated mix of technological innovation, personalisation, sustainability and multisensory experiences.

A dynamic trend that is also reflected in the numbers: According to Allied Market Research, the global contract furniture market is valued at nearly $153 billion, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.4% through 2030. In Europe, according to Statista, the hospitality segment is worth approximately 45 billion euros, while in Italy the contract sector (including offices), explains the Centro Studi Federlegno Arredo, accounts for 30% of the total turnover of the furniture sector (i.e. over 17 billion euros out of a total of approximately 52), with an expanding demand especially for hotels, restaurants and food retail.

To overcome the challenges of such a complex scenario, there is a need for a perspective capable of combining a complete overview of the entire sector with vertical insights into the individual areas, enhancing the cross-selling opportunities offered by hybridisation and contamination between similar supply chains.

This is the perspective that – thanks to a unique exhibition concept – is offered by Host 2025, the world-leading event in technologies, formats and layouts for hospitality, out-of-home and food retail organised by Fiera Milano and scheduled from 17 to 21 October in the Rho exhibition centre.

In recent years, Host Milano has strengthened its role as a point of reference in the sector, not only for technological innovation, but also for new trends in the design field. At Host 2025, the contract world will be at the centre of the Furniture-Technology and Tableware areas, confirming the event as a stage of excellence for design and hospitality.

Innovative concepts and new formats to develop tomorrow's business

New, innovative and sustainable materials to ensure a comfortable and functional environment will be in the spotlight in the Furniture area: indoor and outdoor tables and chairs, lighting and furnishing accessories, but also innovative concepts, new formats and hybridisations of different types of premises to best anticipate the needs of a constantly evolving market.

But that’s not all: there will also be a space dedicated to digital solutions for the world of hospitality and out-of-home, with a particular focus on applications for customisation and personalisation and for the efficiency of processes and systems. A stage with a high innovative content, not only in terms of products but also of new ideas that merge sustainability with digitalisation, up to next-generation solutions with artificial intelligence, bringing to life proposals that transform new technologies into business development tools.

Through exclusive formats, new ideas and surprising solutions, Host Milano celebrates the art of hospitality proposing original, functional and engaging spaces, designed with the collaboration of top professional architects and designers.

A world of details that makes an away-from-home experience unique

Not only tableware, but also clothing for professional dining room and kitchen staff: uniforms and accessories that are original, trendy and always carefully-finished. The Tableware area of Host 2025 is the space in which to explore all the accessories and style details that make a hospitality proposal unique.

Cutlery, plates, glasses, table linens, trays, silverware, porcelain and much more are not just simple utensils, but real protagonists that transform the table into that lifestyle experience sought by diners from all over the world today. These components not only contribute to the creation of an impeccable mise en place, but are also able to adapt to the needs of any context, season and atmosphere, always by proposing style, quality and attention to detail.

At Host 2025, the approach to hospitality moves between the constant pursuit of quality and the constant drive towards innovation. A dynamic balance that manifests itself through a diversified range of proposals, which combine traditional classics with the most original and contemporary solutions.

For all designers, professionals and operators in these sectors, Host 2025 will be a unique opportunity to discover upcoming trends in advance in the broader context of an exhibition that covers all hospitality sectors.

To date, over 1,400 exhibitors have already registered, 44% of which hailing from more than 50 foreign countries. The highest numbers of visitors, in addition to Italy come from: Germany, Spain, France, United States and the Netherlands. Exhibitors will meet high-spending and highly profiled buyers from all over the world and, in particular, from Europe, North and South America, the Gulf countries and the Far East.

Innovation is always one step ahead with Smart Label

At Host 2025, innovation and creativity will not only be the watchwords of the exhibition layout itself but also of a rich programme of events.

One particularly interesting examples is the seventh edition of Smart Label – Host Innovation Award: the award that recognises sustainable innovation promoted by Fiera Milano and Host Milano in collaboration with POLI.design and with the patronage of ADI – Associazione per il Disegno Industriale.

Smart Label is reserved for companies registered at Host 2025 and includes three categories of recognition: Smart Label for distinctive innovative content; Innovation Smart Label for innovation that goes beyond established trends; Green Smart Label for distinctive features in terms of eco-sustainability.

The applications will be evaluated by a jury of experts composed of: Matteo O. Ingaramo (President), Past President in Charge for Institutional Affairs of POLI.design; Venanzio Arquilla, Associate Professor in Design at Politecnico di Milano and coordinator of the Degree Course in Industrial Product Design and the Master in Integrated Product Design of the School of Design; Giselle Chajin, UX and Service Design Director of Tangity Italy; Markus Orthey, Design Director of Braun; Vu Duy Phong, Chief Design Director of DeLonghi Group for the DeLonghi, Kenwood and Braun Household brands. (judges). The winners will be announced during the exhibition.

A growing success with each edition: in the previous six Awards, a total of 950 entries were submitted from all over the world, with over 280 products awarded. Again in collaboration with POLI.design, and with the patronage of NEWH – The Hospitality Industry Network, the most innovative trends in hospitality design will also be the protagonists of the Design Talks events.

Companies registered for Host 2025 can submit their application for a product, or a project under development, by 30 April 2025.

View and download the Smart Label 2025 regulations here.

Access the Smart Label 2025 registration form here.

The 44th edition will be held at Fiera Milano in the Rho exhibition centre from 17 to 21 October 2025.

For the latest information: host.fieramilano.it, @HostMilano.

The top players in the Furniture-Technology – Tableware area who have already confirmed their participation in Host 2025 include:

FURNITURE

Costa Group; Ke Protezioni Solari; Nardi; Pedrali; Tecnoarredamenti.

TECHNOLOGY

Passepartout; Teamsystem; Zucchetti Hospitality.

TABLEWARE

Arcturus Group (Rosenthal, Sambonet brands; Bormioli; Degrenne; Giblor’s; La Tavola; Mercer Culinary; Pinti Inox; Rak Porcelain Europe; Rcr Cristalleria Italiana; Rivolta Carmignani; Robbe & Berking; Narumi; Steelite; Tognana; Zafferano.

Fiera Milano Press Office

Elisa Panico Cristofoli

M +39 331 6716900 – elisa.panicocristofoli@fieramilano.it

Press Office Alessia Rizzetto

Alessia Rizzetto, M +39 3495284994

Gerardo Mauro, M +39 3288948120

press.host@fieramilano.it, alessia@alessiarizzetto.com