Goafest returns with the all-new Goafest Village experience

The Advertising Agencies Association of India (AAAI) and The Advertising Club (TAC) have announced the return of Goafest to its home in Goa for its eighteenth edition. Scheduled to take place from 21 to 23 May 2025, the festival will be hosted at the Taj Cidade de Goa Heritage and Horizon, Goa. This year’s event will feature Amazon MX Player as the title sponsor. For the first time, Goafest 2025 will introduce the concept of the ‘Goafest Village’, a multi-venue experience designed to bring diverse activities under one roof, aiming to make the festival more engaging.

The theme for Goafest 2025, ‘Ignite ______’, is intended to spark conversations and explore ideas across the advertising, media, and marketing industries. Each session, panel, and keynote will delve into various aspects of the industry, reflecting the evolving landscape of brands, creativity, and consumer engagement. The introduction of the Goafest Village aligns with this theme, offering attendees a collaborative environment to network, learn, and be inspired. The festival will also host the ABBY Awards Powered by One Show 2025, which celebrate achievements in advertising and media, reinforcing Goafest’s position as a key event for the industry.

Prasanth Kumar, president of AAAI and CEO of GroupM South Asia, expressed his enthusiasm for the festival’s return to Goa, stating that Goafest has always been a platform for creativity and innovation. He highlighted the significance of the ‘Ignite _____’ theme and the introduction of the Goafest Village as a concept that will redefine how the industry comes together. Rana Barua, president of TAC and Group CEO of Havas India, South East and North Asia, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the festival’s role in pushing creative boundaries and fostering collaboration. He also noted the continued evolution of the ABBY Awards, which set benchmarks for excellence each year.

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Jaideep Gandhi, chairman of the Goafest 2025 organising committee, shared his vision for the festival, stating that the introduction of the Goafest Village and new initiatives will provide attendees with opportunities to connect, learn, and evolve. He emphasised the importance of collaboration in elevating India’s creative and marketing ecosystem on a global scale. Mohit Joshi, co-chair of the organising committee and CEO of Havas Media Network India, added that Goafest 2025 will focus on the intersection of technology, data, and creativity, curating discussions that challenge norms and drive impact.

Ajay Kakar, head of corporate branding at the Adani Group, highlighted the festival’s role as a platform for innovation and opportunity, while Aruna Daryanani, director of Amazon MX Player, expressed pride in partnering with Goafest 2025. She noted that the festival’s theme aligns with Amazon MX Player’s mission to push the boundaries of content and entertainment, making the partnership a natural fit.

The Goafest event draws over 2,000 industry professionals annually.