Montpellier: More than 20,000 hospitality professionals expected at SIPRHO 2026
From February 9 to 11, 2026, the Montpellier Exhibition Center will host the 16th edition of the International Trade Fair for Beaches, Restaurants and Hotels (SIPRHO), now the second largest hospitality trade fair in France (after Sirha Lyon). With over 20,000 professionals expected and more than 400 exhibitor booths, SIPRHO confirms its role as a strategic marketplace, at the heart of the sector’s current challenges.
A trade fair in line with the major changes in the hospitality industry.
In a rapidly changing hospitality sector—accelerated digitalization, new customer expectations, recruitment challenges, and the growing importance of CSR issues—SIPRHO aims to be a true solutions lab for professionals. According to a Distriworks study (July 2025), the future of the hospitality industry hinges on three key drivers: adaptation, professionalization, and innovation.
These are all dimensions that the trade show illustrates and promotes through its extensive offerings and diverse exhibitors.
“The trade show is like a barometer for the sector. It captures and reflects new trends and ongoing changes. Since Covid, we’ve seen the ‘uberization’ of human resources in the restaurant industry accelerate through specialized apps. This year, three exhibitors are presenting service robots: still a niche market, but the movement has begun. The sector’s digitalization has accelerated: online booking, the use of self-service kiosks, digital menus, and contactless payments are now widespread. Other changes also stem from the legislative framework, particularly regarding CSR and environmental issues. The fight against single-use plastics—such as straws—has, for example, given rise to new companies positioned in these niche markets. All these transformations resonate at the trade show,” explains Sébastien Sanchez, Associate Director of Konk Organisation.
The Hospitality & Catering Ecosystem in One Place
Organized by Konk Organisation, a company based in the Hérault region of France and founded by three entrepreneurs—Cynthia Tremblay, Mathias Barrios, and Sébastien Sanchez—SIPRHO is structured around six distinct areas spread across 17,000 m² of exhibition space.
• Food & Beverage (the most represented sector at the show)
• Furniture, Decor & Tableware
• Professional Equipment
• Textiles, Communication & Technology
• Services & Training
• Beach & Outdoor Design
With more than 350 exhibitor booths in 2025, the trade show offers a comprehensive overview of the hospitality industry.
Its ambition: “to connect all links in the chain, from the producer/manufacturer to the restaurateur, including wholesalers, distributors, as well as professionals in services, design, tableware, and training,” emphasizes Cynzia Tremblay.
At SIPRHO, major groups such as Bonduelle, Lavazza, Sysco, Rational, Barilla, Mars Wrigley, and Teisseire rub shoulders with Iconic regional SMEs such as Cafés Bibal, La Compagnie des Desserts, Frigexquis or Les Glaces des Alpes, as well as micro-enterprises and startups.
A balance between local roots and national reach is the strength of SIPRHO.
Beyond its commercial dimension, SIPRHO aims to be a performance tool for hospitality professionals. Held in February, at the start of the summer season, it offers a unique marketplace to: discover consumer trends, equip themselves effectively, optimize their offerings (products, services, digital), and above all, create concrete synergies between industry players. “Professional visitors find practical and concrete solutions in the aisles of the trade show to meet today’s challenges in terms of attractiveness, positioning, performance, and profitability,” adds Mathias Barrios.
Friendliness as a Business Driver
Beyond its professional offerings, the organizers cultivate the art of conviviality to encourage networking. Culinary demonstrations, tastings at the booths, a bar competition Mix’O Contest, and an atypical networking evening in the form of a Beach Party are on the program for these three days.
“As former restaurateurs, we are committed to providing a warm welcome for exhibitors and visitors.” “It’s in our DNA,” insists Cynthia Tremblay.
The creation of a 3,000 m² indoor beach, which accommodates 3,000 people during the Beach Party, illustrates this commitment: a significant investment, designed to cultivate a festive and welcoming atmosphere. This mindset extends to the very workings of the organization: “We work primarily with friends and former colleagues, with whom we form what we call the SIPRHO Family,” reveal the three co-founders.
A little history: what if we went back in time?
“The trade show was born from a simple observation: no event in the South of France brought together all the suppliers in the hotel and restaurant industry,” explains Mathias Barrios.
With 15 years of experience as a manager, bar consultant, and trainer in beach establishments, he observed that suppliers were approaching purchasing managers by going door-to-door. The idea then emerged to create a centralized and structured professional event for the sector. “There was a lack of a dedicated marketplace where you could meet a large portion of your suppliers/clients in just a few days.” In 2010, Mathias Barrios, along with his partner Cynthia Tremblay – also from the hospitality industry – organized the first edition of the trade show at the Palais des Congrès in La Grande-Motte (Hérault). “Originally, the show was designed for private beach suppliers, hence its initial name: the International Beach Show,” he explains. The event was an immediate success with professionals.
The following year, Sébastien Sanchez, a former colleague and friend of the couple, joined the venture. Together, they rolled up their sleeves and even personally visited 800 private beaches, from Spain to Italy, including Corsica, to promote the event. “In a Fiat Punto,” Sébastien Sanchez adds with a smile.
From the 3rd edition in 2012, due to insufficient space, the show moved to the western waterfront of La Grande-Motte. “The challenge was significant because we had to completely set up the site with huge tents, water and electricity connections, drainage systems… it took six weeks to assemble,” recalls Mathias Barrios.
In 2022, the event reached a new milestone: feeling cramped in the Grand-Motte square, the three organizers decided to move the show to the Montpellier Exhibition Center. “This move allowed us to scale up, while remaining true to our original spirit,” they emphasize.
SIPRHO, the Beach, Catering and Hospitality Trade Show, was:
Figures certified by:
The Hospitality and Catering Sector in France
The hospitality and catering sector (Cafes, Hotels, Restaurants) is one of the pillars of the French economy. This sector comprises 797,400 employees and 117,230 businesses, 83% of which have fewer than 10 employees (very small businesses). The industry is present throughout France via 122,000 establishments and encompasses several activities, including traditional restaurants, bars, hotels, caterers, nightclubs, as well as some fast-food outlets and thalassotherapy professionals (Source: DARES data, Sector Profile 2022).
It permeates the economic and social life of the country, from large cities to rural areas, and drives the dynamism of tourism, which represents nearly 7% of the national GDP (INSEE, OGE).
Informations pratiques
Dates : du 9 au 11 février 2026
Lieu : Parc des Expositions – Montpellier
Entrée gratuite pour les professionnels – enregistrement obligatoire – sur www.siprho.com
Contact presse
Si vous souhaitez obtenir davantage d’informations, échanger avec les organisateurs du salon, entrer en contact avec des exposants ou demander une accréditation pour venir sur le SIPRHO, veuillez contacter le service presse.
Fanny Bessière – Attachée de presse #SIPRHOFAMILY
T. 06 20 39 43 39
bessiere.fanny@gmail.com
• Site web : www.siprho.com
• Dossier photos accessible ici – Crédit photo à mentionner : Rémi Martinez
