About Us
Not Just a Conference.
A Platform for African Event Professionals.
The Festival of Eventing (FOE) is Africa’s only platform dedicated to the craft, complexity, and creativity of event execution — from concept to curtain call.
After a powerful debut in 2025, FOE returns in 2026, bigger and bolder, with a focus on future-forward thinking, practical learning, and meaningful connection.
Some events you attend. This one stays with you.
Set in Johannesburg at The Canvas, Riversands , a venue designed for bold ideas. FOE 2026 is a springtime experience that engages every sense.
You’ll leave inspired, equipped, and connected to what’s next in the events industry.
2025 Stats
From refined conference environments and controlled technical builds inside, to open-air structures, staging, hospitality lounges and experiential installations outdoors, FOE creates a living demonstration of how events breathe across environments.
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FAQ
What Is the Festival of Eventing?
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.
Who is FOE For?
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.
Why We Created FOE (From the Founders)
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.
What You Can Expect in 2026
Two days. Fully immersive. The Festival of Eventing 2026 delivers a high-impact two-day conference, interactive exhibitions and live showcases, curated culinary experiences, and entertainment woven throughout. Expect exclusive side events, cutting-edge event tech, curated networking moments, cocktails and happy hours, plus premium swag bags and exciting prizes. It’s everything great events should be — and more. Key themes for 2026 include people, leadership and wellness; technology and innovation; experiential marketing, ROI and storytelling; sustainability and futureproofing; and operations, precision and personalisation.
MEET THE CO-FOUNDERS
Devi Paulsen-Abbott
CONTENT CHAMPION & STRATEGIC SAGE
Keshni Reddy
COMMERCIAL CONDUCTOR & MARKETING MAGICIAN
Betty Sichivula
OPERATIONS ORACLE & EXPERIENCE ENCHANTRESS
Connect with Our Team