International decision-makers meet to exchange views on markets and innovation.

Four clearly structured theme zones featuring numerous international exhibitors across the entire value chain of Next-Generation Products (NGPs), a high-caliber conference program with leading industry experts, and diverse networking opportunities once again define EVO NXT at its fourth edition on 17 and 18 April. Visitors can expect a compact overview of current and upcoming market developments in the field of reduced-risk nicotine products and alternatives. At the heart of the business festival in Prague are exchange, the classification of key industry topics, and personal interaction between stakeholders from industry, science, politics, and trade.

Dortmund, 14 April 2026 – With its fourth edition, EVO NXT further strengthens its position as an international meeting point for the NGP industry. Following previous stops in Málaga and Milan, industry representatives will now gather in Prague to exchange insights on challenging regulatory changes, technological dynamics, and evolving consumer expectations. The focus is on key questions surrounding market development in an increasingly differentiated product landscape. EVO NXT offers international decision-makers from specialist, wholesale, and retail sectors, as well as from manufacturing, distribution, and specialized service providers, a compact and informative overview of all relevant topics. This also includes stakeholders from segments such as e-cigarettes, heat-not-burn, oral and novel nicotine products, snus, as well as CBD and hemp products.

Four zones for clear visitor orientation
A clear and structured approach to the diversity of NGPs is provided by the festival’s established division into four thematic zones. The E-Zone focuses on e-cigarettes, liquids, as well as components and accessories, featuring international manufacturers and brands such as Vaporesso (Shenzhen Smoore Technology Limited), Fairy Fog Technology GmbH, IZY Vape, SIKARY, ESMOO, SKE, MASKKING, K#RWA (Czech Distribution), and other system providers showcasing the latest developments in open and closed device systems. The Heat-Zone brings together products related to heat-not-burn technologies, including hardware and consumable solutions, featuring systems from established technology providers such as First Union Technology and HEATX.

The O-Zone is dedicated to oral nicotine products such as pouches, snus, and new approaches in the field of novel nicotine, with participation from manufacturers including Garant Snus (Allium Est OÜ), Rebel (H&G Tobacco International), NOIS nicotine pouches (HRJ Production OÜ), and Vice Supply Inc. The fourth area, the Green-Zone, focuses on CBD and hemp solutions, where companies such as NARCOS and Tobacco Technology Inc. provide insights into the development of this segment.

This structure enables visitors to quickly and easily navigate the exhibition and gain a bundled overview of current developments across the entire NGP value chain within their preferred focus areas.

Conference program with perspectives from regulation, market, and science
The exhibition is complemented by a two-part conference program on the Main Stage and in the Industry Lounge. On Day 1, the Main Stage focuses on B2B perspectives, including regulatory frameworks, taxation, market access, and scientific approaches to harm reduction. On Day 2, the focus shifts to innovation, future technologies, and consumer acceptance, making the program more relevant for B2C audiences as well.

The Industry Lounge, designed primarily for professional audiences, is an exclusive B2B area featuring in-depth masterclasses and expert-led sessions. On Day 1, experts will address market entry strategies – including the US market and PMTA requirements -, regulatory developments at European and international levels, taxation frameworks, and market data. On Day 2, the focus will be on track-and-trace requirements, packaging solutions, market surveillance, and sustainability-related regulations.

Focus on European regulation and international market trends
An exclusive overview of EU legislation will be provided in the session “Eyes on Brussels,” where Ilias Konteas and Nathalie Darge from Tobacco Europe will analyze key legislative processes in Brussels and their potential impact on manufacturers, trade, and market structures. International market trends and innovation dynamics will be explored by Jose Becerril from Euromonitor International in the panel “Navigating the Future: Innovation, Regulation and Sustainability in the NGP Era.”
Practical supply chain requirements, such as upcoming track-and-trace regulations, will be examined by Leonhard Kipphan from osapiens in the masterclass “EU TPD: How Vape and Pouch can prepare for the third wave of Track & Trace expected in 2026.” Wheras Martin Černý (BAT Czech Republic) will provide insights into national implementation within the European context in his session “Harm Reduction in Practice: Why Czechia Sets the Benchmark for Regulating New Nicotine Products.”

In addition, experts from the Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) will address taxation, market surveillance, and the evolution of the European regulatory framework in various panels and masterclasses, including topics such as tobacco harm reduction, EU taxation, legal frameworks, and consumer acceptance.

– “Tobacco Harm Reduction: Latest Science & Public Health” – Dr. Sidney Hiller (Inter Scientific) and other participants classify the current state of research on harm reduction and its implications for the public health debate.

– “Navigating EU Taxation for Alternative Nicotine Products” – Ciprian Boboi (Independent European Vape Alliance, IEVA) and other participants take an in-depth look at taxation frameworks and compliance requirements for alternative nicotine products at EU level.

– “Europe’s Evolving Legal Framework (TPD3, TTD, & Beyond) – From Brussels to the Shop Floor” – Peter Beckett (Clearing the Air) and other participants trace how the European legal framework develops from policy decisions to operational implementation in retail.

– “Innovation & Acceptance: Why Consumers Choose New Nicotine Products” – John Dunne (UK Vaping Industry Association, UKVIA) and other participants analyze the key drivers of consumer acceptance and what this means for product and market strategies.

Discussions on future technologies will feature Aron Byrne-Carter (NGP Trends), Jerry Luo (VAPORESSO/SMOORE Group), and Ying Du (ChillMist/HEATX) in the session “The Future of Nicotine Delivery 2026: Which Technologies Will Survive?” moderated by Marc Reisner, Editor-in-Chief of „Die Tabak Zeitung“. The retail perspective will be covered by Charles Kuhlmann (Just Start Group/Nikoteca) in “Reinventing Nicotine Retail: From Concept Stores to AI-Driven Distribution,” focusing on store concepts and data-driven distribution strategies. This combination of strategic insights and practical formats helps participants better understand regulatory changes and their implications for different market segments.

The program is developed in cooperation with international industry associations and market observers, including the Confédération Européenne des Détaillants en Tabac (CEDT), Nordic Nicotine Pouches Association (NNPA), Independent European Vape Alliance (IEVA), UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA), European Cannabis Association (ECA), Global Vape Alliance (GVA), Svenska Snustillverkarföreningen and Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN) as well as Tobacco Europe, Euromonitor und TobaccoIntelligence. The full conference program is available online.

A hub for exchange and international networking
In addition to the conference and exhibition, personal interaction and exchange between international market players are key elements of EVO NXT 2026. Discussions on regulatory developments, technological trends, and global market movements continue beyond the sessions and into the informal evening program.

The first day (17 April) concludes with the Get Together Evening starting at 7:00 PM at Spojka Karlín in Prague. Dinner, drinks, and DJ beats create a relaxed atmosphere for conversations beyond the conference sessions – traditionally used to deepen existing relationships and expand international networks.

Accreditation for media representatives
Information on press accreditation and additional press materials is available online here. For inquiries during the event, press spokeswoman Nina Kupferschmidt is available at +49 231 1204-556 and can also facilitate contact with expert interview partners on site if required.

>>> Tickets for EVO NXT are still available in the online shop on the website.

FESTIVAL AT A GLANCE
EVO NXT – THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS FESTIVAL FOR NEXT GENERATION PRODUCTS
EVO NXT will be held in Prague on 17 and 18 April 2026 and is the meeting place for players in the NGP industry. In Czechia, manufacturers, retailers, distributors, researchers and investors, among others, will convene to discuss the current state of the industry and work together to set course for the future. End consumers can get an overview of the latest trends and products from big players in the industry as well as promising newcomers. And they’ll all be doing so in a very special atmosphere, because EVO NXT is an innovative business festival with a unique mix of information and entertainment – making it the perfect forum reflecting and supporting an innovative industry as it seeks to move forward.

DATE: 17 – 18 April 2026
EVENT ORGANISER: Messe Dortmund GmbH
LOCATION: Forum Karlin, Prague
VISITOR TARGET GROUPS: Top international decision-makers from the retail sector (specialist retailers, wholesalers, and retailers), manufacturing, distribution, and the service sector. International industry representatives from the e-cigarette, heat-not-burn, oral and novel nicotine, snus, CBD, and hemp sectors. Admission is restricted to trade visitors and end consumers of legal age.
PARTNERS:
• Confédération Européenne des Détaillants en Tabac (CEDT)
• Nordic Nicotine Pouches Association (NNPA)
• IEVA
• TobaccoIntelligence
• European Cannabis Association (ECA)
• CB Company
• UKVIA
• 2FIRSTS
• ECCC
• Svenska Snustillverkarföreningen
• Global Vape Alliance (GVA)
• Global Institute for Novel Nicotine (GINN)
• Tobacco Europe
• Euromonitor
• FuturNic