Moscow‘s hospitality industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence, driven by a booming domestic tourism market, significant state investment, and a wave of hotel renovations and new restaurant concepts. For professionals in the HoReCa (Hotel, Restaurant, Café) sector, the Russian capital offers an unparalleled calendar of events in 2026.
The schedule is rich and diverse, ranging from the government-backed “Travel!” International Tourism Forum in June to the massive autumn industry gathering PIR Expo. Here is your essential guide to the key hospitality events in Moscow this year.
The Autumn Anchor: PIR Expo 2026
Date: October 26–29, 2026
Location: Crocus Expo International Exhibition Centre (Pavilion 3, Halls 13–15)
PIR Expo is the undisputed heavyweight of the Russian hospitality calendar. Now in its 29th edition, it is widely recognized as the “must-participate, must-visit” platform for the entire HoReCa industry in Russia and Eastern Europe.
This event is a consolidated marketplace, bringing together the restaurant, hotel, and coffee-tea sectors under one roof. It is not just an exhibition; it is a full ecosystem for business development.
Scale and Reach
The 2025 edition attracted significant attention, and the 2026 show is poised to be even larger. Organizers report the event spans over 60,000 square meters, featuring more than 1,000 exhibitors and attracting over 48,000 professional buyers. The international representation is strong, with regular participation from manufacturers across Europe and Asia, making it a strategic entry point for suppliers looking at the Russian market.
Key Exhibition Sectors
PIR Expo is structured into three specialized hubs, allowing for precise targeting:
- Restaurant & Café: Featuring smart kitchen equipment, premium ingredients, bakery technologies, and restaurant management software.
- Hotel: Dedicated to hotel furniture, interior design, management systems, and guest amenities.
- Coffee & Tea: A comprehensive zone for coffee machines, green beans, roasting technology, and professional barista tools.
Business Program and Competitions
The value of PIR Expo extends far beyond the show floor. The 2026 business program is packed with over 300 industry forums and seminars featuring more than 700 expert speakers.
For hoteliers specifically, the agenda includes critical sessions on modern management strategies. Based on the preliminary schedule released for 2026, attendees can expect to dive into topics such as:
- Operational intelligence: Discussions on measuring ROI in hotel services and secretive operational experiences from leading hotel groups.
- Customer analytics: Seminars exploring the expectations of the 2026 guest and how to exceed them while increasing profitability.
- Management philosophy: Panels on balancing digital analytics with human intuition in hotel management.
Beyond the lectures, the expo hosts exciting professional competitions, including the Moscow Cake Show, the Russian Pizza Championship, the PIR Expo Awards, and the Moscow Coffee Festival.
The Government Showcase: “Travel!” International Tourism Forum
Date: June 10–14, 2026
Location: VDNH Exhibition Grounds
While PIR Expo focuses on the operational side of hospitality, the “Travel!” International Tourism Forum focuses on the macro trends: destination development, investment, and branding. This event is organized by the Roscongress Foundation with the direct support of the Russian Ministry of Economic Development.
A Strategic National Event
2026 has been declared the “Year of the Unity of the Peoples of Russia” by presidential decree, and the forum‘s theme reflects this: “Different Cultures, Shared Values – Travel That Unites People”.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko has described tourism as “one of the fastest-growing sectors of our economy,” and this forum serves as the primary platform to demonstrate that growth.
Participation and Regions
The scale of “Travel!” is immense from a geographic perspective. Organizers have confirmed that 80 out of 89 Russian federal subjects will participate, showcasing their regional tourist routes and investment projects.
International participation is also robust. The African Tourism Board has confirmed attendance, alongside delegations from Abkhazia, Venezuela, Uzbekistan, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
Focus on the “Tourism and Hospitality” National Project
The core of the business program is dedicated to presenting the results of Russia‘s national project on tourism. Discussions focus on demonstrating the effectiveness of implemented measures, showcasing newly commissioned hotel facilities, and enhancing the international appeal of Russian destinations.
The B2B Hub: International Travel & Hospitality Show (MITT)
Date: March 11–13, 2026
Location: Crocus Expo
Note: This event concluded in March 2026, but remains highly relevant for planning the 2027 season.
MITT is the longest-running B2B travel event in Russia and is globally recognized as an effective platform for travel and hospitality firms. While the 2026 dates have passed, its structure is indicative of the spring market pulse.
The 2026 edition focused heavily on digital transformation, featuring dedicated conferences like MITT DIGITAL covering “Digital Tourism” and “Digital Hotel” management. It serves as an effective warm-up for the year, setting the tone for domestic tourism development and international cooperation.
Niche & Specialized Events in 2026
Beyond the mega-shows, Moscow hosts several specialized events for specific verticals within hospitality.
1. Coffee Tea Cacao Expo & HoReCa Expo
- Date: April 15–17, 2026 (Past event)
- Location: Timiryazev Centre
While the 2026 edition has concluded, this is a major event to watch for 2027. Held in strategic partnership with Metro Russia, this expo gathers over 400 exhibitors and 25,000 professionals from the café, restaurant, and hotel sectors.
The highlights include the Chef a la Russe culinary championship and numerous tastings of tea, coffee, and chocolate. The 2026 event also featured prestigious awards naming the “Person of the Year” in the coffee and tea industries.
2. HomeFest
- Date: September 17–19, 2026
- Location: Main Stage, Sharikopodshipnikovskaya St.
For hospitality professionals focused on interior design and textiles, HomeFest is a key date. Now in its 16th edition, this is a dedicated B2B trade show for interior design professionals, specifically including the HoReCa segment.
It is the premier sourcing location for premium paints, hotel upholstery fabrics, outdoor textiles, and high-end furniture designed for contract use.
3. Moscow International Hotel Forum
- Date: September 12–14, 2026
- Location: Crocus Expo
This forum stands out because of its focus on comprehensive discussion rather than just sales. Organized with the support of the Moscow Government and the Federal Tourism Agency, it aims to bridge the gap between government regulators and business operators.
The forum historically focuses on raising the standards of hospitality services, discussing safety protocols for hotels, and attracting investment into regional hotel construction projects. It is a critical event for hotel investors, engineers, and top management looking to navigate Russia‘s evolving hospitality landscape.
Strategic Summary for Industry Professionals
Moscow’s hospitality event calendar in 2026 offers a logical progression for strategic business development.
| Event | Date | Location | Key Focus | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MITT | March 11-13, 2026 | Crocus Expo | B2B travel, digital tourism | Travel agents, tour operators, hotel marketers |
| Coffee Tea Cacao Expo | April 15-17, 2026 | Timiryazev Centre | F&B, café equipment, specialty goods | Café owners, restaurateurs, baristas |
| “Travel!” Forum | June 10-14, 2026 | VDNH | Destination investment, state policy | Investors, government officials, DMCs |
| Hotel Forum & HomeFest | Sept 12-19, 2026 | Crocus Expo / Main Stage | Design, textiles, hotel operations | Hotel managers, architects, designers |
| PIR Expo | Oct 26-29, 2026 | Crocus Expo | Full HoReCa spectrum (equipment, furniture, food) | All hospitality professionals, distributors |
Strategic Advice
- For Equipment & Furniture Suppliers: The PIR Expo in October is your absolute priority. It is the primary purchasing season for hotels and restaurants stocking up for the winter holidays and the next construction season.
- For F&B and Café Professionals: Coffee Tea Cacao Expo in April is the critical event for discovering new products, meeting supply chain partners, and completing chef competitions.
- For Investors and Developers: The “Travel!” Forum in June and the September Hotel Forum are the best opportunities to understand government strategy and secure regional investment support for new projects.
Mark your calendars and prepare to engage. Moscow‘s hospitality industry is dynamic, innovative, and hungry for partnerships, and these events are your gateway to success in one of Eurasia‘s most exciting markets.