Want to be in the know with everything marketing related? Venelize de lange from media update rounds up the must-attend marketing conferences coming to South Africa 2025 to 2026 so you can stay in the loop.
South Africa is fast becoming a marketing-events hotspot and, heading into 2026, several flagship and specialist gatherings promise practical takeaways for agencies and in-house teams.
Therefore, media update has decided to create a compact guide to the key marketing events that still lie ahead — and why they are worth marking in your calendar.
For marketers seeking research-led discussions, the International Conference on Brand Management & International Marketing (ICBMIM) is scheduled for 16 October 2025 in Durban. This forum is ideal for brand strategists and researchers eager to share case studies, methodologies and frameworks.
Also in October 2025, on the 21st, the International Conference on Precision Marketing and Marketing Strategies will be hosted in Durban. This event will focus on data-driven targeting, personalisation and measurable campaign design — perfect for teams looking to turn analytics into action.
On 9 December 2025, the International Conference on Global Marketing and Trade arrives in Durban, spotlighting cross-border strategy and market-expansion case studies. Expect insights into global trends and how South African brands can position themselves competitively on the international stage.
Capping off the list is DigiMarCon Africa 2026, the continent's premier digital marketing conference, running from 1 to 2 October 2026 at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town. The two-day programme will explore AI, MarTech, programmatic, UX and growth strategies, all aimed at marketers ready to turn tech trends into measurable results.
Practical Tips Before You Register
If you are planning to attend any of these conferences, start by identifying which format best supports your team's goals. Academic conferences often yield long-term strategic insight, while larger summits deliver the immediacy of tools, trends and networking.
It will be best to prepare questions or case examples relevant to your brand so you can turn each session into actionable learning.
And remember, the most valuable takeaway from any event isn't the keynote — it's how you apply those insights once you're back at your desk.
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*Image courtesy of Canva
**Information sourced from DigiMarConAfrica and Conference Alerts