Famend occasion skilled and innovator, Tobi Olanihun, took middle stage at FEST Boards 2025, the place she joined an esteemed panel of world trade leaders to debate the evolution of festivals as cultural touchpoints, group builders, and platforms for innovation.
Drawing from her over 14 years of expertise in occasion administration, innovation and tech, in addition to visitor and artist administration, Olanihun explored how expertise is remodeling the occasion trade throughout Africa and the globe.
“Talking at FEST Boards 2025 was an unbelievable alternative to share insights on how festivals are evolving particularly in Nigeria and Africa past leisure to grow to be cultural and technological powerhouses. Lagos, specifically, has developed a singular pageant tradition with Detty December, a phenomenon that showcases town’s dynamic power and its position in connecting the African diaspora and past via unforgettable experiences,” she stated.
At FEST Boards 2025, Olanihun engaged in a thought-provoking dialogue alongside prime trade professionals, together with John Giddings (Isle of Wight Pageant), Hamish Pinkham (Rhythm and Vines), Nick Morgan (We Group), Stephen Budd (OneFest Pageant), and John Boyle. The conversations highlighted numerous locational nuances throughout totally different continents, learnings through the years and touched on how expertise and innovation are reshaping the pageant expertise.
Past her trade contributions, Olanihun can be the founding father of TEPS, an African occasion expertise startup that has been making waves on the worldwide stage. TEPS’ momentum continues following its spectacular efficiency at Occasion Tech Stay (ETL) Las Vegas 2024, the place the corporate secured a bronze medal within the Stay Launchpad Startup Competitors. Competing in opposition to top-tier occasion tech startups worldwide, TEPS stood out with its revolutionary all-in-one occasion administration platform, designed to streamline occasion planning with options equivalent to registration, ticketing, e-mail communication, gamification and real-time suggestions instruments.
“Successful bronze at ETL Las Vegas 2024 was a defining second, not only for TEPS however for African occasion expertise as an entire. Being the one African startup recognised on that stage highlights the continent’s rising presence within the international occasion tech area and reinforces our dedication to delivering cutting-edge options.”
TEPS’ success displays the potential of African tech startups to compete on a worldwide scale, drive innovation, and forge significant partnerships. As Olanihun continues to champion innovation within the trade, TEPS stays devoted to shaping the way forward for occasion expertise and fostering impactful connections worldwide.
