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- Early Bird One Day Pass 19 remaining
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R2640R2,640.00 - Early Bird Day Two Pass – SME/ Emerging Brands 20 remaining
R1320R1,320.00
Business to Brand Summit
2026-04-16 8:30 to 2026-04-17 15:30
April 16, 2026
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Pat On Brands
Organizer's other eventsThe Business to Brand Summit is South Africa’s premier gathering of marketers, communicators, entrepreneurs, and business leaders who believe in the transformative power of branding. Returning for its second annual edition in 2026, the summit goes beyond traditional conferences. It is a strategic platform where business meets brand, and vision meets execution.
In today’s dynamic and increasingly digital economy, brands are more than visual identities, they are economic assets, cultural symbols, and catalysts for trust and growth. The Business to Brand Summit exists to help South African and African businesses unlock the full potential of branding by empowering them with the strategies, insights, and connections needed to move from transactions to transformation, and from small business to standout brand.
Why This Summit Matters
South Africa is investing heavily in entrepreneurship to combat unemployment and stimulate growth. Yet, over 70% of small businesses fail within five years, and youth unemployment remains above 43%. The challenge isn’t a lack of ambition but the lack of strategy for scalable, sustainable brand growth.
Brand strategist and entrepreneur Pat Mahlangu believes the missing link is branding:
“We’re encouraging South Africans to start businesses but not equipping them to build brands – the kind that attract investment, retain customers, and create jobs.”
The Business to Brand Summit tackles this gap head-on by helping businesses move from surviving to scaling by building brands that resonate deeply, lead confidently, and compete globally.
What To Expect
Across two days of high-impact sessions, the summit will feature keynote addresses, panel discussions, masterclasses, and networking sessions that explore how to:
Turn marketing into a powerful engine for sustainable growth
Build authentic, purpose-driven, and customer-centric brands
Leverage AI, data, and digital innovation to stay future-ready
Tell stories that connect emotionally and convert effectively
Align internal culture with external brand promise
Scale African brands from local relevance to global recognition
Who Should Attend
Marketers seeking bold strategies to grow brand equity and market share
Communicators and PR professionals shaping trust and reputation in a fast-changing world
Entrepreneurs and executives ready to evolve from business owners to brand builders
Agencies, consultants, and creatives driving innovation in advertising, design, and storytelling
Policy makers, investors, and thought leaders exploring the link between brand strength and national competitiveness
The Impact
The Business to Brand Summit is more than an event – it’s a movement to strengthen South Africa’s brand-driven economy. When brands thrive, industries flourish, employment grows, and national confidence deepens.
By equipping today’s businesses with tomorrow’s branding tools, the summit invests in Africa’s most valuable currency: brand equity. Together, we’re not just shaping marketing. We are branding the future of Africa’s economy.
Theme: Africa Rising – Building Iconic Brands for a New Era
Dates: 16–17 April 2026
Venue: Sandton, Johannesburg
Format: Single-stage summit (no breakaway rooms)
DAY 1 — CORPORATE BRAND LEADERSHIP DAY
Theme: Brand Leadership in a Changing World
08:00 — Registration & Networking Breakfast
09:00 — Welcome & Opening Remarks (Pat Mahlangu)
09:20 — OPENING KEYNOTE – Thebe Ikalafeng: Africa Rising: Why Brand Leadership Matters More Than Ever
10:00 — Panel: Brand Leadership in a Disruptive Age
11:00 — Tea Break & Networking
11:20 — CEO–CFO–CMO PANEL: Brand as a Business Asset: How CEOs, CFOs & CMOs Build Value Together
12:00 — Masterclass: Creativity at Scale
12:45 — Lunch Break
13:45 — Corporate Case Study Showcase
14:20 — Expert Insight: Brand Africa Outlook 2026 + Protecting Brand Equity Through IP
14:50 — Panel: The Future of Media & the Attention Economy
15:40 — CMO Power Conversation
16:15 — Networking Drinks & Executive Mixer
17:00 — End of Day 1
Theme: Africa Rising – Building Iconic Brands for a New Era
Dates: 16–17 April 2026
Venue: Sandton, Johannesburg
Format: Single-stage summit (no breakaway rooms)
DAY 2 — SME & EMERGING BRANDS DAY
Theme: Building Iconic African Brands from the Ground Up
08:00 — Registration & Morning Coffee
09:00 — Welcome Remarks (Day 2)
09:30 — KEYNOTE
10:10 — Panel: Brand Building on a Budget
11:00 — Tea Break
11:20 — Practical Branding Session: Positioning, Messaging & Storytelling
12:00 — Tech Tools Showcase
12:40 — Lunch Break
13:40 — SME Case Study: The Rise of an Iconic Youth-Owned Brand
14:10 — Skills Session: Content Creation for Non-Creatives
14:55 — Funding & Growth Panel
15:10 — IP SESSION: Protecting Your Ideas & Your Brand
15:40 — Live On-Stage Brand Clinic
16:30 — Closing Inspiration Talk
17:00 — Summit Close + Networking
Speaker Nomination Form
Help us shape the future of African branding!
The Business to Brand Summit 2026 will take place on 16 – 17 April 2026 in Sandton, bringing together business leaders, marketers, communicators, and entrepreneurs who believe in the power of brands to drive economic transformation.
We’re calling on the community to nominate inspiring speakers — individuals whose stories, strategies, and insights are shaping Africa’s brand future.
Submit your nomination below and help us curate a powerful speaker lineup.
