The plenary session of the scientific conference on the topic “Digital Business Transformation: Challenges and Opportunities for Future Professionals” was opened by Anatolii MAZARAKI, Rector of the State University of Trade and Economics, Doctor of Economics, Professor, Academician of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, and Honored Worker of Science and Technology of Ukraine. More than 97 participants from 7 regions of Ukraine took part in the ceremonial part of the event, which facilitated active scientific dialogue and constructive discussion of the presented research results.

As part of the conference, six discussion panels were organized, covering twelve thematic areas, including sessions conducted in English and French:

• International Tourism: From Global Challenges to New Opportunities.
• The Creative Economy: Challenges and Opportunities.
• Digital transformation of HoReCa.
• Hospitality for recovery: sustainability, inclusion, and innovation.
• Restaurant technologies and food design: trends and challenges.
• Innovative craft technologies: eco-friendliness, locality, sustainability.
• Modern land management: from cutting-edge technologies to starting your own business.
• Natural and man-made risks in the context of innovative development.
• Physical education, sports, and rehabilitation: the demands of the times.
• Design synergy: aesthetics, technology, and business logic.

For the first time, as part of the thematic track “International Tourism: From Global Challenges to New Opportunities,” a French-language section was established in collaboration with the Francophone University Agency (AUF). Eleven participants took part in the section, presenting their research findings in French on topics such as the use of artificial intelligence in tourism, the implementation of VR and AR technologies, the development of glamping, principles of social responsibility in the tourism industry, and innovations in the restaurant sector.

The topics of the presentations covered a wide range of current issues, including: the development of international tourism, the creative economy, the digital transformation of the HoReCa sector, innovations in restaurant technologies and food design, craft production, modern land management, risk management, physical culture and rehabilitation, as well as the integration of design, technology, and business approaches.

Participants presented the results of research focused on the implementation of modern technologies in the fields of hospitality, tourism, gastronomy, sports, design, land management, and the creative economy. Significant attention was paid to the practical aspects of applying innovative solutions, their impact on business development, and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises.

In an open discussion format, participants addressed issues such as the digitalization of the service sector, the implementation of innovative technologies in tourism and hospitality, the development of food design and craft technologies, the accuracy of engineering and surveying surveys, the use of CAD software for creating topographic maps, the prospects of green reconstruction, changes in land use, monitoring of innovative technological aspects of design and the basic concepts of modern design, the use of digital tools in adaptive sports and veteran rehabilitation, as well as the role of the creative economy in shaping the modern business environment.

The conference results revealed a high level of interest among participants in interdisciplinary research, a focus on the practical application of scientific ideas, and a proactive stance toward the transformation of business processes. The conference winners were awarded first-, second-, and third-place certificates.

The conference demonstrated that the integration of student initiatives, scientific research, and an entrepreneurial approach is a key factor in the development of modern youth science and the training of competitive professionals.

Tetiana Tkachuk,
Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and International Relations, Faculty of Technologies and Business