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WELCOME TO THE Africa Events Summit 2026 | NAIROBI 🇰🇪 🇺🇬 🇷🇼 🇹🇿
WE'RE Building East Africa's Event Economy TOGETHER.
Decisions. Direction. Alignment.
September 10–11, 2026 | Argyle Grand Hotel, Mombasa Rd, Nairobi | 2-Day Conference + Gala Dinner
JOIN 200+ Key Events Industry Leaders From Across East Africa.
One Industry. One Room. One Direction.
About the Summit
Every Industry Has Its Defining Moment. This Is Ours.
East Africa’s events industry is no longer a collection of service providers and experiences — it is becoming an economy. And economies require collaboration, structure, alignment, standards, investment, and shared direction.
Across Africa, unforgettable experiences are created every day. We bring people together. We tell stories. We launch brands. We celebrate culture. We power tourism. We create memories that last generations.
Yet for too long, the people behind these experiences have built separately. – Different countries. Different sectors. Different conversations.
The next chapter requires something bigger. A connected ecosystem. A shared vision. A stronger African events economy. That is why Africa Events Summit exists.
The Africa Events Summit is a high-level industry platform convening stakeholders across the full events ecosystem — planners, producers, creatives, brands, venues, regulators, and global manufacturers — to align, collaborate, and shape the future of the industry. Built on the conversations started at the AES Pre-Summit in Nairobi, this is where dialogue evolves into shared direction, cross-industry alignment, and stronger standards and systems.
AES 2026 Theme: Building East Africa’s Event Economy: Decisions. Direction. Alignment.
Structure
Organizing a fragmented value chain into a connected ecosystem.
Alignment
Shared direction between demand, creative, and delivery stakeholders.
Standards
Global-quality benchmarks that raise the value of the entire industry.
Investment
Infrastructure, systems and capital for sustainable, scalable growth.
Shared Direction
One regional agenda for the future of Africa's event economy.
We Are Not Just Planning Events. We Are Building An Economy.
Why Attend AES 2026?
The world is entering the experience era. People are no longer just buying products – they are seeking moments, connections, stories, and communities. Brands are no longer just advertising – they are creating experiences that bring people closer.
From live entertainment, conferences, festivals and sports, to tourism, brand activations and digital communities, a new economy is taking shape. Behind every unforgettable experience is an ecosystem of builders.
Africa Events Summit will bring these builders into one room – event professionals, creatives, venues, suppliers, brands, innovators, destinations, and decision makers – to connect, collaborate, and shape what comes next.
This is where conversations will become collaborations.
Where competitors will become partners.
Where ideas will become businesses.
Where regional relationships will become continental opportunities.
Different roles. One ecosystem. One future.
The next chapter of Africa’s experience economy will be shaped by those who show up.
Be in the room. We hope to see you there!
Strategic Industry Insight
A clear view of where the industry stands, the challenges holding it back, and the opportunities emerging next.
Exposure to Global Standards
Engage directly with international manufacturers, technology providers and infrastructure partners shaping mature markets.
Cross-Industry Alignment
Sit with buyers, creatives, suppliers, investors and delivery partners — and build ecosystem relationships that last.
Knowledge & Capacity Building
Keynotes, masterclasses, technical sessions, SOPs and breakout discussions built for practitioners.
Meet Global Manufacturers
AV, lighting, staging, trussing, tents and event technology makers — demoing and speaking directly with their market.
Business & Partnerships
Supplier discovery, market expansion, sponsorship conversations and strategic deals happen here first.
Proof, Not Promises - AES Pre-Summit, Nairobi KE Edition
The Conversation Has Already Begun.
Pre-Summit was funded as an investment in the industry itself — because when the industry is better, we all are better.
Who's in the Room
The Full Event Value Chain. One Platform.
Demand & Commercial
Corporate brands, marketing leaders, promoters, investors, government & tourism stakeholders, PR agencies.
Experience & Creative
Event planners and agencies, MCs, DJs, performers, dancers, musicians and creative professionals.
Delivery & Infrastructure
AV, staging, lighting & LED production, venues, hospitality, logistics, staffing, branding, event technology.
Global Manufacturers & Systems
Makers of staging, seating, tents & structures, production technology, event software and infrastructure investors.
AES is not owned by one company. It belongs to the industry. We are bringing together organizations and individuals who believe Africa’s events & experience economy deserves structure, visibility, investment, and global recognition.
Program Run-Through
Two Days of Decisions. One Unforgettable Night.
QR-code accreditation, delegate materials, welcome coffee — exhibition booths open for early engagement.
Welcome Note: why Africa’s events industry needs alignment now • Platinum keynote: global standards, infrastructure & technology •
AES Opening Address – The Future of the Events Economy in East Africa
Growth trends across East Africa • the commercial side of events • infrastructure & scalability • quality, standards & global integration.
Rotate through curated sponsor and industry tables — live demos, market access, collaboration and partnership conversations.
Hands-on with global manufacturers, technology providers and infrastructure partners.
Recap of the day, preview of Day 2 breakout streams, and Gala Dinner briefing.
Key insights from Day 1 and breakout stream groupings.
Why standards matter • the link between quality and pricing • how mature event markets operate and scale sustainably.
Stream 1 — Market & Commercial: what’s driving demand and where the market is going
Safety & compliance, operational benchmarks, vendor professionalism, and the start of industry certification conversations.
Insights from the breakouts and one closing question: “What happens if East Africa gets this right?”
Feedback, participation certification, closing remarks and Gala invitation.
Cocktails & mocktails, traditional dance welcome, photography moments.
A premium seated dinner experience.
Celebrating sponsors, trainers, contributors and industry excellence — with lucky dips throughout.
Open bar, music and informal relationship-building into the night.
The Gala Dinner — September 11 • 6:00 PM till Midnight
One Night. One Room. Every Key Player.
Think of it as the Met Gala of East Africa’s events industry – the night the builders of the experience economy dress up and share one room. Red-carpet arrivals, a premium seated dinner, awards, cultural performances and the most valuable networking of the year. If the Summit is where the industry decides, the Gala is where it connects.
Dress Code: Royal Jewel Tone
Rich, saturated jewel tones in luxe fabrics — emerald greens, sapphire blues, ruby reds, amethyst purples, finished with gold. Velvet, silk, satin, African luxe tailoring. Come dressed like the industry you’re building: bold, elegant, unforgettable.
The Vision for the Night
Speakers, Hosts & Panelists
Voices Shaping the Industry
Speaker Announcement
Speaker Announcement
Speaker Announcement
Speaker Announcement
Sponsors & Partners
Don't Watch the Industry Grow. Help Shape It.
The future of East Africa’s events and experience economy will be built through collaboration — by the organizations that choose to invest, connect, and lead the conversations that move the industry forward.
Africa Events Summit partners with brands, institutions, and industry leaders who believe in building a stronger ecosystem. A platform where you connect directly with founders, executives, creators, suppliers, venues, innovators, and decision-makers shaping the future of experiences across the region.
Through strategic partnerships, thought leadership conversations, exhibitions, showcases, and meaningful industry engagement, AES positions your organization beyond visibility – as an active contributor to the growth of Africa’s experience economy.
The Pre-Summit drew 200+ applications for only 70 invited seats. The appetite is proven. The room is curated. The momentum is real.
Join the organizations building the future of East Africa’s events industry.
Pre-Summit founding partners included Argyle Grand Hotel, Sound Fusion, TISEH, Nomadiq Sounds, Riannu Entertainment, Ruthy Belly Dancer, Take6Africa and A2Z.
Exhibit at AES — Global Manufacturers & Technology
Meet Your Market. Face to Face.
Showcase Your Solutions to the Builders of East Africa’s Experience Economy
If you manufacture, supply, or provide solutions powering the events industry – from AV, lighting, staging, trussing, tents & structures, seating, production equipment, event technology, and other experience solutions – East Africa is your next growth market, and AES is your entry point.
AES brings you face-to-face with the event professionals, planners, producers, venues, agencies, brands, and decision-makers shaping the future of experiences across the region.
Your exhibition booth is more than a display space — it is an opportunity to demonstrate your capabilities, build relationships, generate opportunities, and position your brand within East Africa’s growing events ecosystem.
For organizations looking for deeper engagement, visibility, thought leadership opportunities, showcases, and strategic industry positioning, enhanced partnership packages are available.
- Start with visibility
- Grow through partnership
- Direct access to 150–300 curated regional buyers
- Market-entry positioning across 4+ East African countries
The Venue
Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi Airport
Talk to Our Team
Let's Get You in the Room.
Sponsorships, tickets, exhibition space, speaking slots or media — reach Fridah and the AES team directly.
Email Us
aes@billioneventsea.com
WhatsApp Frida
+254 769 506 611
Call Us
+254 769 506 611
History Is Written By Those Who Show Up.
Years from now, East Africa’s events & experience industry will look very different.
The question is:Will you be one of the people who helped shape it? Join the conversations.
September 10–11, 2026 • Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi • East Africa Chapter