Festival of Eventing 2025 Launches in Cape Town, Inspires Unity

The inaugural Festival of Eventing (FOE), held in Cape Town from August 8-9, 2025, gathered 350 event professionals and 85 speakers from 10 countries. This two-day event showcased innovations, fostered connections, and explored the future of eventing across Africa. Attendees engaged with cutting-edge event technology and sustainability initiatives, reflecting a collective commitment to advancing the industry.

Hosted at the Century City Conference Centre, the festival opened with a vibrant ceremony featuring performances by Danielle Bitton and the Ithemba Youth Choir, along with a mesmerizing act from Mo Magic. The event was dynamically hosted by Alan Committie and FOE’s AI assistant, Ask Nia. Throughout the festival, participants took part in masterclass sessions, international keynotes, networking breaks, and interactive exhibitions. The experience culminated in The Eventurers’ Soirée, a sunset celebration dedicated to community and creativity.

The founders of the festival, Keshni Reddy, Devi Paulsen-Abbott, and Betty Sichivula, expressed their vision for the event, stating, “We set out to create more than a conference — we wanted an experience that would leave people thinking, feeling, and connecting differently.” They noted that the caliber of speakers and the quality of discussions exceeded their expectations.

Over the course of the festival, delegates explored various topics, including experiential marketing, future event design, data-driven personalization, sustainability, and leadership in a technology-driven landscape. Highlights included a keynote address from Lorne Sulcas, known as “The Big Cat Guy,” wellness sessions featuring Chair Pilates and Sunrise of Strength & Serenity, and a sponsored luncheon by Old Mutual. Networking zones buzzed with activity as professionals forged authentic connections.

“This event was a love letter to our industry,” said Betty Sichivula. “It was built on the belief that Africa’s eventing sector has world-class talent, ideas, and stories to share — and this was the platform to showcase them.” Her co-founder, Devi Paulsen-Abbott, echoed this sentiment, expressing excitement for future editions, stating, “We’re walking away inspired, grateful, and already dreaming about what 2026 will bring.”

The success of the 2025 edition was made possible through the support of various partners, including the City of Cape Town as the Host City and the Century City Conference Centre as Venue Sponsor. The festival also received backing from prominent industry associations, such as the Association of African Exhibition Organisers (AAXO), the Exhibitions and Events Association of South Africa (EXSA), the Event Greening Forum (EGF), the Southern African Communications Industries Association (SACIA), and the International Festivals and Events Association (IFEA).

Looking ahead, the dates and venue for the Festival of Eventing 2026 will be announced soon. Opportunities for partnership, sponsorship, and speaking engagements are currently open. Interested parties can contact Keshni Reddy at [email protected] for partnership inquiries and Devi Paulsen-Abbott at [email protected] for speaking opportunities. For further updates, visit www.festivalofeventing.com.

In a message from the founders, they reflected on their decades of experience in launching and transforming significant events across Africa. They emphasized the need for a platform that not only celebrates the industry but also equips professionals to address its evolving challenges. “For far too long, event professionals have worked in silos,” they noted. “That changes now. We created the Festival of Eventing not just as a platform for knowledge exchange, but as a space where we can connect, learn, and elevate the industry together.”