The BAM Marketing Congress returns to Brussels Gate for its 45th edition on 3 and 4 December. It is the only marketing congress in Belgium to run for two full days, and every year it brings around 2,000 marketers together to address a key question: where is marketing heading? This year, more than sixty national and international speakers will take to four stages to explore this theme.

The line-up is impressive. Mark Ritson will be taking to the Belgian stage for the first time — he is a globally renowned marketing professor and columnist who has long argued in favour of evidence-based decision-making rather than relying on instinct. He is joined by Amanda Natividad (SparkToro), who will demonstrate how brands can earn attention and trust in an era of declining click-through rates, and by Andrew Davis, a leading authority on content and storytelling.

The congress also features speakers who shine a spotlight on the industry. Massimo Giunco, who worked at Nike for 25 years, explains how the company has relied too heavily on digital platforms and performance over the past decade, to the detriment of long-term brand growth. Thomas Barta, a former McKinsey partner, will explain how marketers can turn customer insight into real business growth and secure a more prominent position within the organisation. Patou Nuytemans, who has thirty years’ experience at Ogilvy and is now the EACA’s Ambassador for Agency Value, argues for a new way of working between brands and agencies, based on value created rather than hours billed.

This is just one part of the programme. Many more national and international names will be announced in the coming weeks, providing a comprehensive overview of the direction in which the field is heading.

Beyond the stages, there’s an opportunity to network in the Marketing Village, the beating heart of the congress. For two days, the Belgian marketing world will come together in one place for the profession’s annual meeting point.

Want to be there? Book your tickets at marketingcongress.be. Coming with colleagues? There’s a Company Pack offering 15% off for groups of five or more.

3 & 4 December 2026 — Brussels Gate — marketingcongress.be