The first edition of the event took place from April 17 to 19 ExpoTurismo, an event that brought together companies, tour operators, and organizations from across the country and the region to discuss the industry’s development, opportunities, and trends.
The institution was represented by Pablo Pesce, academic coordinator ofthe Technical Program in Tourism and Hospitality Management, along with advisor Agustina López and professor Lourdes Alanis—CEO of Grupo Elis and the person in charge of the conference’s overall organization. In this capacity, they supported the event by promoting education in tourism and hospitality, as well as fostering ties between academia and industry.
Friday, a day specifically geared toward professionals and industry practitioners, stood out for the high caliber of its lectures, panels, and presentations, reaffirming the importance of knowledge as a driver of development in the sector. In this context, the university also played an active role through the participation of Professor Gilberto Pratto, who led the interactive talk “Soft Skills: The Strongest.”
During his presentation, Pratto offered insights into the skills—whether social, soft, or leadership-related—that, regardless of their label, play a decisive role in how people connect, lead, and make decisions in professional settings. Using guiding questions and interactive activities, he encouraged attendees to reflect on their daily practices and identify specific challenges in developing these competencies.
“These are the things that connect us to one another, from person to person. They’re what bring us together, both as individuals and as a community,” the professor noted during the talk, highlighting the value of these skills in an industry focused on experience and service.
The university's participation in ExpoTurismo 2026 underscores the importance of fostering collaboration between academia and the public and private sectors to ensure that education programs are aligned with the real needs of the tourism industry.