The 19th edition of Goafest will take place in Goa from May 20 to May 22, 2026, bringing together leading voices from the advertising, media and marketing industries for three days of discussions, networking and celebration of creative excellence.
According to a press release issued on Wednesday, the event will once again serve as a key platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas and explore the future of advertising and marketing. Organised annually since 2006, Goafest has grown into one of South Asia’s most prominent industry gatherings.
The festival will also host the prestigious **ABBY Awards Powered by The One Club for Creativity 2026, regarded as one of the region’s most coveted honours in advertising and media. The awards recognise outstanding creative achievements and continue to set industry benchmarks for innovation and storytelling.
Announcing the dates of the upcoming edition, Srinivasan K Swamy, President of the Advertising Agencies Association of India, said Goafest has always served as a platform that brings together creativity, collaboration and new ideas. He noted that the festival aims to spark fresh conversations, offer new perspectives and encourage meaningful dialogue about the future of the advertising and marketing ecosystem.
Echoing similar sentiments, Dheeraj Sinha, President of The Advertising Club, said Goafest continues to represent the spirit of creativity and collaboration within the industry. He highlighted that the ABBY Awards, now in their 57th year, have consistently pushed creative boundaries and raised the bar for excellence, adding that this year’s edition is expected to bring together some of the brightest minds in advertising and media.
Jaideep Gandhi, Vice President of AAAI and Chairman of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee, described the festival as more than just an industry event. According to him, Goafest has evolved into a legacy platform that unites multiple industry associations and stakeholders under one roof. He also acknowledged the pioneers who envisioned the festival and continue to contribute to its growth.
Meanwhile, Mohit Joshi, Co-Chair of the Goafest 2026 Organising Committee and CEO of Havas Media India, said the festival has steadily transformed into a premier platform celebrating creativity and innovation. He added that the upcoming edition will introduce new formats, immersive engagements and high-level discussions, aiming to make the event more impactful than ever before.
Co-hosted by the Advertising Agencies Association of India and The Advertising Club, Goafest draws more than 2,000 professionals from across the advertising, marketing and media ecosystem each year. With an expanded scale, an inspiring line-up of speakers and a focus on emerging ideas shaping the industry, Goafest 2026 is expected to once again become a central meeting point for South Asia’s creative community.
Dish TV board strengthens with three independent directors
Gemini-Google duo crackdown on 483.7mn policy-violating ads in India
GTPL Hathway reports steady FY26 growth, launches HITS platform for expansion
JioHotstar brings HBO Max to India with expanded WBD partnership
TRAI nudges DPOs on DAS audits, other compliance norms
‘Avengers: Doomsday’ trailer unveiled, Evans and Downey Jr return
Centre sets up AI governance body to steer national strategy
Tata Play Binge curates Arshad Warsi’s weekend watchlist
Toxic’ unveils 9-minute preview at CinemaCon in LA
ET NOW Swadesh to host ‘Insurance Mahakumbh’ today 

