Cape Town Hosts Inaugural Festival of Eventing, Uniting 350 Professionals

The inaugural Festival of Eventing (FOE) took place in Cape Town on August 8-9, 2025, gathering a vibrant community of 350 event professionals, 85 speakers, and representatives from 10 countries. This two-day event showcased innovation, inspiration, and a commitment to collaboration in the event industry of Africa. Hosted at the Century City Conference Centre, FOE set a new standard for what the future of eventing could look like on the continent.

The festival opened with a captivating ceremony that featured performances by the Ithemba Youth Choir, a magical set from Mo Magic, and engaging hosting by Alan Committie alongside FOE’s AI assistant, Ask Nia. Throughout the event, attendees participated in masterclass circles, international keynotes, and interactive exhibitions, culminating in The Eventurers’ Soirée, a sunset celebration of community and creativity.

Keshni Reddy, Devi Paulsen-Abbott, and Betty Sichivula, the festival’s co-founders, emphasized their goal of creating an experience that went beyond a traditional conference. “We wanted an experience that would leave people thinking, feeling, and connecting differently,” they stated. The response from participants indicated that they achieved this vision, with the quality of conversations and the sense of unity exceeding expectations.

Discussions at the festival covered a broad range of topics, including experiential marketing, future event design, data-driven personalization, sustainability, and leadership in a technology-driven world. Notable moments included an international keynote from Lorne Sulcas, wellness sessions that featured Chair Pilates and Sunrise of Strength & Serenity, as well as a sponsored luncheon by Old Mutual. The networking zones buzzed with energy, allowing attendees to forge 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.” Her sentiments were echoed by Devi Paulsen-Abbott, who added, “We’re walking away inspired, grateful, and already dreaming about what 2026 will bring. We want the next one to be bigger, bolder, and even more collaborative.”

The success of FOE 2025 was bolstered by strong partnerships, including the City of Cape Town as the Host City and the Century City Conference Centre as Venue Sponsor. The festival attracted an impressive array of collaborators from the event industry supply chain, garnering support from major 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).

Plans are already underway for the next edition of the Festival of Eventing, with details regarding dates and venue to be announced soon. Opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships, and speaking engagements are currently open. For inquiries regarding partnership and sponsorship, interested parties can reach out to Keshni Reddy at [email protected], while speaking opportunities can be discussed with Devi Paulsen-Abbott at [email protected]. More information can also be found at www.festivalofeventing.com.

The founders expressed their commitment to fostering a supportive community for event professionals. “As co-founders with decades of experience launching, managing, and transforming some of Africa’s most prestigious events, we know one thing for sure: it’s time we had an event that celebrates the industry while equipping us all to tackle its ever-evolving challenges,” they noted. The Festival of Eventing aims to be a platform for knowledge exchange and a space for connection, learning, and elevating the industry together.