2026 Vodacom ceo awards
Event Background
The History of Vodacom CEO Awards - Celebrating Excellence Across Africa
The Vodacom CEO Awards is the pinnacle of the Vodacom calendar, an exclusive two-night celebration recognising exceptional people, teams, and business partners across all eight markets. Through world-class production, prestigious awards, and unforgettable entertainment, the event honours those who go above and beyond to inspire excellence and shape the future of Vodacom.
Award Event details
Set Up
19 October – 30 October 2026
Event
Friday, 30 October 2026
17:00 – 23:00
Saturday, 31 October 2026
18:00 – 23:00
Attendance
Friday, 30 October 2026
500 in-person, 1000 online
Saturday, 31 October 2026
500 in-person
Venue
Vodacom World Dome
Connect 500 (North & South)
Patio
Gig Rooms 1-3
Storage Areas
Creative concept
Theme: Rouge
ROUGE is a contemporary, glamorous cabaret-inspired awards experience, bold, theatrical, and emotionally immersive. Drawing subtle inspiration from the spirit and spectacle of Moulin Rouge!, the concept fuses high-energy entertainment, humour, and contemporary music into a seamless awards production that feels both indulgent and modern.
Rationale
The masterful love story in Moulin Rouge, explores apposing themes such as love and lust, the rich and the poor, the pure-hearted and the greedy, freedom and control. This narrative of apposing ideals that fuse together into a flamboyant, passionate, extravagant, heartbreaking and heartwarming story is the foundation to our concept.
Translates to “Red of Africa”, a name that captures the passion, energy and bold spirit at the heart of the experience. “Rouge,” symbolising glamour, intensity and theatrical luxury, is fused with “D’Afrik”, meaning “from Africa”, to ground the concept in African identity, culture and soul.
The name is especially fitting for Vodacom, reflecting your strong presence across the continent while celebrating African excellence through a world of immersive spectacle, elevated luxury and contemporary creativity.
Bringing it home
Creative concept one
An All-Inclusive African Experience Of Rouge
Being mindful to ensure that the experience is inclusive of the entire Vodacom community, from all the different markets and backgrounds, we believe there is no better way than to showcase Rouge within an African context.
This concept reimagines the world of ROUGE through a distinctly African lens, where untamed beauty, theatrical extravagance and contemporary luxury collide in a sensory celebration of excellence. Inspired by the emotional intensity and spectacle of vintage cabaret culture, the concept does not seek to replicate a familiar production but rather reinterpret the spirit of Rouge through the richness, rhythm and soul of Africa.
A fusion of Rouge with Africa, a spectacular display of the wonders of Africa in the context of Rouge theatrics.
Visual style
Fonts
Drawing inspiration from the opulence of Moulin Rouge!, the typography balances refined luxury with authentic African influence. The primary font conveys elegance and theatrical sophistication, while the secondary font introduces organic, handcrafted qualities inspired by locality and nature. Together, they create a premium yet culturally grounded identity, merging classic cabaret glamour with the warmth and expressive essence of Africa.
Colour Palette
The colour palette combines rich reds, gold accents, and monochrome base tones to create a sense of luxury, passion, and theatrical elegance. Bright red brings energy and vibrancy, while deep red adds depth, richness, and cabaret-inspired sophistication. Gold accents introduce opulence and refinement, contrasted by black and white base colours that provide balance, clarity, and a modern edge. Together, the palette creates a bold yet timeless identity that feels both glamorous and immersive.
Decor
A bold, playful and theatrical interpretation of Moulin Rouge through an African lens. Inspired by the rich storytelling and layered artistry like Ardmore, the concept blends quirky safari glamour, Parisian theatre and eccentric luxury into one experience.
Entrance
Connect 500
Photo opportunities
Connect 500
Foyer
Dome Entrance
The Dome
Creative concept two
A Collision of Vintage Glamour & Futuristic Spectacle
This concept reimagines the world of ROUGE through a futuristic lens, where vintage cabaret glamour is deconstructed and rebuilt into a bold new era of immersive luxury and technological spectacle. Inspired by the contrast between old-world elegance and cutting-edge innovation, the experience fuses classic couture, dramatic theatricality and digital sophistication into a cinematic celebration of excellence.
This concept works exceptionally well for Vodacom because it mirrors the brand itself, a company rooted in heritage, yet driven by innovation and the future of technology.
Visual style
Fonts
Drawing inspiration from the opulence of Moulin Rouge!, the typography balances refined luxury with authentic African influence. The primary font conveys elegance and theatrical sophistication, while the secondary font introduces organic, handcrafted qualities inspired by locality and nature. Together, they create a premium yet culturally grounded identity, merging classic cabaret glamour with the warmth and expressive essence of Africa.
Colour Palette
The colour palette combines rich reds, gold accents, and monochrome base tones to create a sense of luxury, passion, and theatrical elegance. Bright red brings energy and vibrancy, while deep red adds depth, richness, and cabaret-inspired sophistication. Gold accents introduce opulence and refinement, contrasted by black and white base colours that provide balance, clarity, and a modern edge. Together, the palette creates a bold yet timeless identity that feels both glamorous and immersive.
Decor
Decor moodboard
Decor
Food and beverages
Attendance Logistics
Send personalised invitations and track RSVP progress in real time
Capture guest details and preferences
Integrate visa letter requests directly into the process
Send personalised confirmation emails
Create automatic calendar placeholders
Provide reminders to rsvp and aide‑memoire communications through email and WhatsApp
Event day reminders will also be sent through WhatsApp communication
Generate QR codes to be used by guests on the day of attendance for onsite registration
Query centre
Send out Guest Survey Indexes post event
Invitations
Guest Travel
Flights
Guest profiling for eligible guests
Dedicated travel manager and weekly reports
Post reconciliation for market repayments
Accommodation
Friday Night (150 rooms): Sandton Sun Hotel (Executives attending both nights), Courtyard Hotel Waterfall City, and City Lodge Waterfall.
Saturday Night (70 rooms): Sandton Sun Hotel, with single and double rates available.
Hotel Registration Desks
Ops Accommodation – Flooid has secure complimentary rooms at Sandton Sun (2), The Courtyard Hotel Waterfall (2) and City Lodge Hotel Waterfall (2)
Transfers
Day 1 – Arrival & Awards
Airport → Hotel → Event Venue → Hotel → Airport
Day 2 – Awards & Departure
Airport → Hotel → Event Venue → Hotel → Airport
Special enhancements
Airport Meet & Greet
Hotel Coordination
Music in transit
Online experience
Running order & Awards
Friday
17:00 – 17:30
Arrival and registration (pre-drinks & canapés in Connect 500)
17:45 – 18:30
Starters in the Vodacom Dome
18:30 – 18:50
Opening Act
18:50 – 19:20
Welcome by MC and CEO address
19:20 – 19:40
Act 2
19:40 – 20:20
Awards segment 1 (22 awards)
20:20 – 21:05
Dinner
21:05 – 21:40
Act 3
21:40 – 22:20
Awards segment 2 (22 awards)
22:30
FINALE
Saturday
18:00 – 18:30
Arrival and registration (pre-drinks & canapés in Connect 500)
18:45 – 19:30
Starters in the Vodacom Dome
19:30 – 19:50
Opening Act
19:50 – 20:20
Welcome by MC and CEO address
20:20 – 20:40
Awards segment (15 awards)
20:40 – 21:30
Dinner
21:30 – 22:00
Act 2
22:15 – 22:30
FINALE
Health and Safety
In line with Vodacom’s policies, all health and safety requirements will be strictly adhered to throughout the conference. A safety file will be prepared and maintained, covering risk assessments, compliance documentation, and emergency procedures.
Key measures
Full alignment with Vodacom’s internal OHS standards and protocols
Onsite safety officers and first aid readiness
Clear signage and communication
Regular checks to ensure compliance across all event spaces
This ensures the event is not only seamless, but also safe and fully compliant with Vodacom’s corporate requirements.
Resource Plan
Kari Wiederhold
Directeur / Directrice de Création Événementielle (Event Creative Director)
Classy and establishes the role as a design leadership position.
Client liaison & Occupational Health and Safety (OHS)
Karen Senore
Chef d'Orchestre Événementiel (Event Orchestrator / Conductor)
A clever metaphor showing that the person harmonizes many moving parts into one perfect performance.
Overall Event, Registration, Decor, Food & Beverages
Rose Madela
Concepteur / Conceptrice d'Atmosphères (Atmosphere Designer)
Focuses entirely on sensory details, lighting, mood, and vibe.
Certificate/Trophy Handover, Hosts & Hostesses, Crew Catering
Amanda du Preez
Cartographe des Horizons (Horizon Cartographer)
Poetic and highly creative for companies with an adventurous spirit.
Travel Management (Flights, Hotels, Visas & Transfers)
Nicole Treadwell
Concepteur / Conceptrice de Moments (Designer of Moments)
Minimalist, elegant, and highly professional.
Creative Elements Roll Out
Mandy Franke
Chef d'Orchestre des Chiffres (Conductor of Numbers)
A popular, high-utility French metaphor showing total mastery over complex financial elements.
Finance Management