Not just a conference. A platform built for African event professionals.

The Festival of Eventing is the only African platform dedicated exclusively to the craft, complexity, and creativity of event execution — from concept to curtain call.

After a powerful debut in 2025, the Festival returns in 2026 with a new city, a new scale, and a renewed focus on future-forward thinking, practical learning, and meaningful connection.

Set in Johannesburg at The Canvas, Riversands — a venue designed as a blank canvas for bold ideas — FOE 2026 is a springtime festival that engages every sense and leaves you inspired, equipped, and connected to what’s next.

Some events you attend. This one stays with you.

If you’re part of the event ecosystem – this is for you.

The Festival of Eventing brings together the full eventing ecosystem, including:

• Suppliers and technical specialists
• Event owners, organisers, and management teams
• Corporate event practitioners
• Government and public-sector professionals
• Ecosystem partners and enablers

If you plan, produce, deliver, or support events, FOE is designed with your reality in mind.

New for 2026: Student & Newcomer Track

FOE also welcomes the next generation of event professionals through a dedicated Student & Newcomer Track — bridging theory and real-world execution while showcasing the vital role events play in the economy and across industries.

The event we always wished existed.

With a combined seven decades of experience, the founders of FOE set out to create a platform that spoke to event professionals not just as practitioners – but as people.

Too often, the industry works in silos. Access to relevant insight, shared best practice, and locally available solutions is limited. International events inspire, but don’t always reflect African realities.

FOE was created to change that – a future-forward platform grounded in the African context, where knowledge is shared openly, innovation is showcased practically, and the industry moves forward together.

And just as importantly, FOE creates space to pause, reconnect, and enjoy the magic we spend our days creating for others.

More than event professionals. A community.

We call ourselves Eventurers — because this industry is an adventure.

Eventurers are curious, resilient, and always evolving. We push boundaries, learn from one another, and understand that the best events are built by people, not just processes.

FOE is where Eventurers gather to level up together, share what works (and what doesn’t), and shape the future of eventing in Africa.

This isn’t just a festival.
 It’s a community. A mindset. A movement.

Two days. Every sense engaged.

The Festival of Eventing 2026 delivers a fully immersive experience, including:

• A two-day, high-impact conference programme
• An interactive exhibition with on-floor showcases
• Curated culinary experiences across all breaks
• A next level live entertainment programme woven throughout the festival
• Invite-only side events and insider moments
• A cutting-edge event tech stack
• Curated networking, cocktail moments, and happy hours
• Swag bags you’ll want to keep — and prizes you’ll want to win

It’s everything you wish more industry events were… and then some.

Key Themes for 2026

• People, Leadership & Wellness
  Inclusive leadership, people-first cultures, wellbeing, and equitable representation in eventing.
• Technology & Innovation
  AI, event tech, and smarter digital-physical experiences that transform how events are planned and delivered.
• Experiential Marketing, ROI & Storytelling
  Immersive brand experiences, sponsorship value, and monetisation strategies that deliver measurable impact.
• Sustainability & Futureproofing
  Practical sustainability, local sourcing, responsible production, and long-term event resilience.
  Operations, Precision & Personalisation
• End-to-end execution, supplier management, scalable systems, and personalised delivery at scale.

An investment, not time away.

FOE 2026 is designed to deliver real return:

• Future-focused content on AI, immersive experiences, and data-driven design
• Targeted learning tracks for suppliers, organisers, and executives
• Intermediate and advanced sessions for meaningful skill development

Your team returns informed, aligned, and better equipped to deliver stronger events.