Creative minds from across the globe have gathered at the PEACH (Royal Cliff Hotels Group) in Pattaya for ADFEST 2026. From March 19th to 21st, 770 delegates representing 56 cities are exploring the frontier of the creative industry under a timely and powerful theme: “Human+”.
In an era dominated by automation, ADFEST 2026 reframes the conversation. It’s not about technology replacing us—it’s about how creativity, empathy, and culture amplify the power of technology to expand human potential.
ADFEST 2026: Event Highlights at a Glance
- 61 Speaker Sessions: Insights from global industry leaders.
- 7 Interactive Workshops: Deep dives into LinkedIn, Gaming, and Creative Taste.
- Production Hub: A showcase of 9 production specialists spanning music, VFX, and tech.
- Lotus Awards: Celebrating the best in class for regional creativity.
3 Key Takeaways from the Main Stage
The program this year focuses heavily on how to navigate the “Human+” ecosystem. Here are the core themes emerging from the sessions:
1. Cultural Intelligence is the New “Prompt Engineering”
While AI can generate content, speakers from CONNECT THE DOTS and Mindscapes emphasized that “Cultural Intelligence” and the ability to prompt our own minds are what lead to successful global productions.
2. Emotional Intelligence as a KPI
In the session “Feeling Is the New KPI,” experts from Crisp Group and Benetone Films showcased how AI was used to accelerate the Toyota Advantage campaign—not by leading the way, but by supporting human-led emotional nuance and craft.
3. Data-Driven Imagination
DAIVID and CreativeX demonstrated that creative data doesn’t have to be cold. Instead, a “human-centric” ecosystem can use data to enhance empathy and craftsmanship, leading to measurable commercial impact.
Leveling Up: Hands-on Workshops
ADFEST isn’t just about listening; it’s about doing. This year’s workshops provide practical toolkits for the modern creator:
- Social Selling: Sarah Clay’s “LinkedIn for Creatives” teaches delegates how to elevate professional personal brands.
- The Gaming Frontier: Rey Tiempo leads a live judging session for The In-Game Ads Awards, exploring the massive potential of Gaming x Marketing.
- Creative Excellence: D&AD’s Donal Keenan shares brand-new research on the “Conditions for Creativity,” providing a roadmap for delivering world-class work.
The Production Hub: Where Tech Meets Craft
The ADFEST Production Hub remains the vibrant heart of the festival. This year, nine specialists—including Black Cat White Cat Music, Bullet Production, Chubcheevit Studio Bangkok, DLP, Geek Pictures, Ikatan Rumah Produksi Iklan Indonesia (IRPII), Number 24 x Shutterstock, Primary Color Music and Whitecoat—are proving that while tools evolve, human collaboration remains the engine of award-winning work.
ADFEST 2026 Sponsors
ADFEST 2026 is made possible through the support of London International Awards (LIA), shots, and Boonrawd Group (Singha), alongside partners like Google, GEEK PICTURES Inc., Primary Color Music, Chubcheevit Studio, Black Cat White Cat Music, Number 24 x shutterstock, Japan Advertising Federation, Frontier International Group, AI-Deate, Young Director Award and LA Shorts International Film Festival.
