Africa’s event execution community has a new date in the diary: 17–18 March 2027 at The Canvas Riversands
The Festival of Eventing is officially gearing up for its next chapter.
Following the success of its inaugural edition, the Festival of Eventing will return on 17 and 18 March 2027, taking place at The Canvas Riversands in Johannesburg.
And that is not the only big news.
FOE is also delighted to announce that respected business strategist, transformation leader and partnership specialist Lyndon Barends has joined the Festival of Eventing as a Director, adding a powerful new dimension to the leadership team as the platform continues to grow.
A new chapter for the Festival of Eventing
The Festival of Eventing was created with a simple but ambitious purpose: to bring the people shaping events together to learn, connect, challenge convention and build a stronger, more future-ready industry.
Its inaugural edition proved that there was an appetite for exactly that.
Now, as FOE prepares for 2027, the team is taking the opportunity to build on those foundations and create an experience that goes even deeper into the challenges, opportunities and possibilities facing the events industry.
But the Festival is not interested in simply becoming bigger for the sake of being bigger.
The focus remains firmly on relevance. On creating conversations that matter, tackling the real challenges facing event professionals, and ensuring that every Eventurer leaves with fresh thinking, valuable connections and ideas they can actually put into action.
Welcoming Lyndon Barends
As FOE enters this next phase, the addition of Lyndon Barends as a Director brings decades of experience across business, strategy, transformation, sponsorship, partnerships and leadership.
Lyndon is a strategist and change leader whose career has taken him across a number of industries and leadership environments. His experience includes senior roles in strategic partnerships, corporate transformation, sponsorship and marketing, entrepreneurship, sport and business leadership.
He has also led businesses across sectors, and currently contributes to the development of future business leaders as a lecturer on the North-West University MBA Programme.
What makes Lyndon’s appointment particularly exciting for FOE, however, is not simply the list of positions he has held. It is the perspective he brings.
His work sits at the intersection of business, strategy, leadership and human connection, with a particular focus on transformation, innovation, sustainable growth and building strategic partnerships with purpose.
That philosophy aligns closely with what the Festival of Eventing is working to build.
“FOE has always been about more than putting people in a room,” says FOE spokesperson and Co-founder Keshni Reddy. “It is about creating the conditions for meaningful conversations, stronger partnerships and real progress within our industry. Lyndon brings a wealth of experience in strategy, transformation and partnership building, and we are incredibly excited to welcome him as we shape the next chapter of the Festival.”
Beyond business, Lyndon is also deeply committed to community and education. He is the founding president of the DADFund, an educational charity investing in young people, and supports initiatives focused on helping the next generation access mentorship and opportunity.
That people-first perspective will be an important part of the FOE journey as the Festival continues to explore not only where the industry is going, but who will help take it there.
The future is taking shape
While the 2027 programme is under development, the FOE team promises that the next edition will continue to bring together the industry’s thinkers, doers, innovators, suppliers, brands, organisers and future leaders.
Expect conversations around the changing nature of event execution, practical ideas and real-world insight, and technology, innovation and experience design to move from buzzwords into meaningful applications.
Attendees can also look forward to connecting with people who understand the pressure, complexity and magic of making events happen. And, of course, a few surprises.
The Festival of Eventing has never believed that the future of events should simply be discussed from a stage. It should be experienced.
Over the coming months, FOE will begin revealing more about the programme, speakers, experiences and opportunities to get involved.
For now, the message is simple:
Save the date.
Festival of Eventing 2027
17–18 March 2027
The Canvas Riversands, Johannesburg
Early Bird registration has been extended until 31 December 2026, giving Eventurers an opportunity to secure their place early.
The next chapter is being written. The future of eventing is not something we wait for. It is something we build, together.
And the Festival of Eventing community is invited to help shape it.
For partnership, sponsorship and speaking opportunities, visit festivalofeventing.com or contact:
Keshni Reddy
keshni.reddy@festivalofeventing.com