Digital First 2026 – Tech and Digital Event Belgium

What to expect in 2026

Digital First 2026 is a major business and digital technology event taking place in Belgium on 1 December 2026. The event is designed for business leaders, digital decision-makers, technology professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers and organisations looking to turn digital strategies into measurable business results. Rather than presenting itself as a conventional technology conference, Digital First describes the event as a business-focused platform where technology, leadership and execution come together.

The 2026 edition is built around a reinvented one-day format under the theme “From digital to double digits.” The programme focuses on the practical side of digital transformation, asking how organisations can move beyond technology experimentation and create tangible value. The event’s editorial programme is structured around five major themes: AI in business, future of work, cyber resilience, robotics, and data and sovereignty.

Visitors can expect a combination of curated talks, business presentations, expert discussions, networking opportunities and technology showcases. Digit Valley provides a dedicated environment where attendees can meet event partners and explore companies working around the day’s key themes. A central round bar is also positioned within the event floor to encourage informal conversations between sessions.

Digital First 2026 is particularly suited to professionals who want to understand how artificial intelligence, automation, data, cybersecurity and digital strategy can be translated into practical business outcomes. The event brings together European business and digital leaders and provides opportunities to learn from speakers, discover technology providers and build professional relationships.

Event dates

Digital First 2026 takes place on Tuesday, 1 December 2026, at Brussels Gate in Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium. Doors open at 8:00, while the main sessions start at 9:00. The official afterwork programme runs from 17:00 until 18:30, giving attendees additional time for networking and informal conversations after the main conference programme.

The event is structured as a full-day business and technology gathering rather than a multi-day exhibition. This makes it possible for visitors to experience the major programme themes, meet technology partners and participate in networking activities during one concentrated day.

Attendees should plan to arrive before the first sessions begin so they have enough time for registration and to explore the venue. Tickets are delivered by email before the congress, with the organiser stating that they are sent one week before the event and again the day before.

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Venue & event site

Digital First 2026 is hosted at Brussels Gate, A. Gossetlaan 9, 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden, Belgium. The venue is located close to the E40 and Brussels Ring, making it accessible for visitors arriving by car from Brussels and other parts of Belgium. Groot-Bijgaarden railway station is approximately a five-minute walk from the venue.

The event site is designed to combine conference programming with networking and technology discovery. One of the central areas is Digit Valley, where attendees can meet Digital First partners and learn about the companies and solutions connected with the event’s themes.

The venue also includes a central round bar that acts as an informal networking point. Instead of placing networking in an isolated area, Digital First has incorporated this space directly into the event floor so that conversations can naturally take place between sessions.

The venue is wheelchair accessible, and visitors requiring specific assistance can contact the organisers in advance. Free parking is available on-site for attendees travelling by car.

Full technology programme

The Digital First 2026 programme is organised around five central themes that define the event’s editorial direction. Each theme connects emerging technology with business leadership, organisational change and measurable results.

AI in business: Artificial intelligence is one of the most important subjects at Digital First 2026. The programme examines how companies can move beyond experimentation and integrate AI into operations, decision-making and business models. The focus is on achieving practical value from AI rather than simply adopting the technology because of its popularity.

Future of work: This theme looks at the organisational changes created by digital technologies. Discussions consider the processes, structures, responsibilities and accountability required to turn digital strategies into successful business outcomes.

Cyber resilience: Digital First approaches cybersecurity as a leadership and business issue rather than a subject limited to IT departments. The programme explores risk strategy, ownership, preparedness and the decisions organisations need to make to remain resilient against cyber threats.

Robotics: Robotics focuses on physical automation and the growing role of intelligent machines in business. The theme considers where automation can create competitive advantages and where organisations may need to rethink their operational structures.

Data and sovereignty: Data is examined as a strategic business asset. Sessions explore how organisations can turn fragmented information into useful intelligence while addressing governance, accountability, trust and control over data.

Key speakers & industry leaders

Digital First 2026 features business leaders, digital specialists and policymakers who are involved in shaping Europe’s technology and business landscape. The official speaker lineup includes executives and founders from major technology, financial and consulting organisations.

Milda Mitkutė: Co-founder of Vinted, Milda Mitkutė is scheduled for a fireside conversation about the origins and growth of Vinted. The session explores the challenges behind building one of Europe’s successful technology companies and considers what Europe can learn from its development.

Vala Afshar: Salesforce Chief Digital Evangelist Vala Afshar presents a session focused on AI-first strategies, autonomous businesses and digital labour. His presentation examines how organisations can move from individual AI implementations toward broader AI-driven operating models.

Dovilė Grigienė: Chair of the Supervisory Board at Revolut, Grigienė is among the senior financial and technology leaders appearing at the event.

Omar Mohout: Deloitte’s Scaleup Director for M&A and Finance brings a strong focus on technology companies, growth strategy and data value creation. His Digital First session examines how organisations can transform data into strategic business value.

Moonie Zhu: Co-Founder and CEO of eTOC Group, Moonie Zhu brings an international perspective on Chinese brands, digital-first business models, AI, commerce and global competition.

Other listed speakers include Neil Martin of Paceteq, Mei Pang of Satalia and Ema Roloff of Roloff Consulting.

Technology sectors & themes

Digital First 2026 covers technology sectors that have a direct relationship with business transformation and organisational performance. Artificial intelligence is particularly prominent, with sessions looking at enterprise AI, optimisation, digital labour and AI-driven operating models.

Cybersecurity represents another important sector, with cyber resilience treated as a responsibility involving business leaders and decision-makers. Data management and data strategy are also major areas, especially where organisations need to create measurable value from existing information.

Robotics introduces the physical automation side of digital transformation, while future-of-work discussions examine how organisations and employees need to adapt to technology-driven changes.

The event is therefore relevant to professionals working across technology, AI, cybersecurity, data, automation, digital transformation, operations, finance, marketing, strategy, HR and innovation. Its broad business orientation means visitors do not need to be technical specialists to benefit from the programme.

Sessions, talks & presentations

Digital First describes its sessions as curated presentations designed to give attendees information they can act on. The programme is intended to avoid technology discussions that remain purely theoretical and instead focus on practical business consequences and measurable outcomes.

The 2026 programme includes different presentation formats, including fireside conversations and specialist talks. Milda Mitkutė’s session, for example, examines the story behind Vinted and the lessons that can be learned from building a European technology company capable of scaling internationally.

Mei Pang’s presentation focuses on applied AI optimisation and explains how businesses can use mathematical optimisation to address operational problems such as routing and workforce scheduling. Her session is aimed at organisations looking to move beyond AI pilots and achieve measurable efficiency improvements.

Other sessions address autonomous business models, data valorisation, global competition and the changing relationship between technology and business leadership. This variety gives attendees the opportunity to approach digital transformation from strategic, operational and commercial perspectives.

Workshops & demonstrations

Digital First 2026 places emphasis on direct interaction with technology companies through its event-floor experience. Digit Valley is specifically designed as a place where attendees can meet partners and discover the companies shaping the event’s five core themes. The organisers describe it as a more interactive alternative to a conventional row of exhibition booths.

Visitors can use time between sessions to speak with technology providers, ask questions about their solutions and discuss potential business applications. This creates a practical complement to the presentations taking place on stage.

The event’s partner programme also includes formats such as round tables, Breakfast Club activities, Lunch Talks and speaking slots. These opportunities give participating companies different ways to demonstrate expertise and interact with the Digital First audience.

Ticket types & registration

Digital First 2026 offers three main ticket waves. The organiser lists Early Bird tickets at €195, Regular tickets at €295 and Late Bird tickets at €395. Using an exchange rate of approximately 1 EUR = $1.16, these correspond to approximately $226.20, $342.20 and $458.20 respectively.

Early Bird: $226.20, including full congress access, networking lunch, parking and the afterwork drink. The Early Bird sales period is listed until 31 August 2026.

Regular: $342.20, including full congress access, networking lunch, parking and the afterwork drink. Regular sales are listed until 15 November 2026.

Late Bird: $458.20, including full congress access, networking lunch, parking and the afterwork drink. Late Bird registration is listed until 1 December 2026.

A group discount is also available for bookings of at least five tickets, with the organiser advertising a 15% discount. The final amount paid through the official registration system may vary depending on the applicable ticket wave and booking conditions.

Startup & investor opportunities

Digital First 2026 provides startups and growing technology companies with access to a business-focused audience. The event is particularly relevant to companies developing solutions connected with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, data, automation, digital transformation and other emerging technologies.

The event’s partnership model is designed around access to business decision-makers rather than simply providing traditional exhibition exposure. The organiser highlights connections with C-level leaders and decision-making teams across Europe.

Startups can use the event to introduce their technology, meet potential customers, establish commercial partnerships and build relationships with senior professionals. Investors and corporate innovation teams can also use the event to identify companies and technologies relevant to future business opportunities.

Digital First’s partnership opportunities include Digit Valley booths, round tables, Breakfast Club activities, Lunch Talks, stage sponsorship and speaking slots. These formats can provide technology companies with different ways to build visibility and engage directly with the event audience.

Exhibitors & technology companies

Technology companies participating in Digital First 2026 are represented through the event’s Digit Valley concept. This area is intended to bring attendees closer to the companies and solutions connected with the day’s major themes.

Rather than functioning solely as a conventional exhibition floor, Digit Valley is presented as a place for conversations between attendees and partners. Visitors can use the area to discover technology providers, ask questions and discuss potential applications.

The partnership programme offers several participation formats. Companies can choose from Digit Valley booths, stage sponsorship, round tables, Breakfast Club sessions, Lunch Talks and speaking slots depending on their business objectives.

The participating technology ecosystem is particularly relevant to AI, cybersecurity, robotics, data, digital transformation and business technology. Companies attending as partners can use the event to increase visibility, generate business opportunities and engage with decision-makers.

Networking & business meetings

Networking is integrated into the Digital First 2026 event rather than being restricted to a single networking session. The central round bar is positioned directly within the event floor and is designed to become a natural meeting point between presentations.

Digit Valley also provides opportunities for attendees to meet technology companies and discuss solutions directly. These conversations can be useful for business leaders evaluating technology suppliers, as well as technology companies seeking prospective customers and partners.

Digital First also operates as a wider year-round platform built around Europe’s digital decision-makers. Its broader community concept includes peer introductions, closed-door roundtables, private dinners and other professional connections beyond the flagship congress.

The event therefore combines formal presentations with informal business conversations, giving attendees multiple opportunities to connect with people involved in digital strategy and technology investment.

Event rules & visitor information

Visitors should bring themselves and their event badge. The organiser states that coffee, lunch, drinks and cloakroom facilities are provided, while coats and luggage can be stored free of charge at the venue entrance.

Tickets are delivered electronically by email. According to the official practical information, registered attendees receive their tickets one week before the congress and again the day before the event.

Digital First 2026 is not planned as a livestreamed event. The organiser states that livestreaming is not foreseen, so visitors who want to experience the presentations and networking programme should plan to attend the physical congress.

Cancellation requests must be submitted in writing. The published policy states that cancellations received by 22 August 2026 qualify for a full registration-fee refund minus a $52.20 administrative charge when converted from the stated fee, cancellations received by 27 October 2026 qualify for a 50% refund, and cancellations after 27 October receive no refund. A registered delegate who cannot attend may transfer the ticket to a colleague free of charge.

How to get there

Digital First 2026 is held at Brussels Gate, A. Gossetlaan 9, 1702 Groot-Bijgaarden. The venue’s location beside the E40 and Brussels Ring provides direct road access without requiring visitors to travel through central Brussels.

Visitors travelling by train can use Groot-Bijgaarden station, which is approximately a five-minute walk from Brussels Gate. The station is located directly at the edge of the venue’s parking area, making the final walk relatively short.

Bus travel is also possible. De Lijn line 136 stops directly outside Brussels Gate, providing another public transport option for visitors travelling from Brussels and surrounding areas.

Those travelling from outside Belgium can first reach Brussels by air or international rail and then continue toward Groot-Bijgaarden using local transport or a car. Visitors should check the latest transport schedules before travelling because operating times can change.

Public transport & parking

Public transport provides convenient access to Brussels Gate. Groot-Bijgaarden railway station is around five minutes from the venue on foot, while De Lijn bus line 136 stops directly outside the event location.

For drivers, Brussels Gate is located immediately beside the E40 and Brussels Ring. This allows visitors to approach the venue directly from the major road network and avoid driving into central Brussels.

Free parking is available on-site for Digital First attendees. The proximity between the parking area, railway station and venue entrance also makes the location practical for visitors using different modes of transport.

Attendees should allow additional time for arrival and registration, particularly if travelling during busy morning periods on the roads around Brussels.

Accommodation areas

Visitors travelling to Digital First from outside Brussels can choose accommodation in central Brussels or in the municipalities surrounding Groot-Bijgaarden. Central Brussels offers the largest selection of hotels and provides convenient access to restaurants, attractions and major transport connections.

Areas around Brussels-Central and Brussels-Midi can be useful for visitors who plan to combine the congress with additional time in the Belgian capital. These areas also provide access to national and international railway services.

For visitors whose priority is a short journey to Brussels Gate, accommodation closer to Groot-Bijgaarden may be more practical. Staying near the event venue can reduce morning travel time and make it easier to arrive before the 9:00 session start.

Visitors should consider their preferred transport method when selecting accommodation and check the route to Brussels Gate before booking.

Accessibility

Brussels Gate is wheelchair accessible, according to the official Digital First practical information. The venue is therefore suitable for visitors with mobility requirements.

Attendees who require specific assistance are encouraged to contact the Digital First team before the event. Providing details in advance allows the organisers to understand individual requirements and provide appropriate support where possible.

The event’s short walking connection from Groot-Bijgaarden railway station can also be useful for visitors arriving by train. Anyone with specific accessibility needs should confirm the most suitable entrance and route with the organisers before travelling.

Previous year’s highlights

Digital First has developed from a digital-industry event into a broader platform for Europe’s digital decision-makers. The organisation now describes Digital First Congress as its annual flagship event in Brussels, supported by a year-round community, sector-focused events and connections between digital leaders and technology providers.

The 2026 edition represents a significant repositioning around measurable business outcomes. Its “From digital to double digits” concept places greater emphasis on execution and business value, with five central themes defining the programme: AI in business, future of work, cyber resilience, robotics, and data and sovereignty.

The speaker lineup also highlights the event’s international scope. Leaders connected with Vinted, Salesforce, Revolut, Deloitte, eTOC Group, Paceteq, Satalia and Roloff Consulting are included in the 2026 programme.

The event also maintains a strong networking and business-development focus. Digit Valley, the central round bar, partner activities and the wider Digital First community all support the objective of connecting attendees with people and companies involved in digital transformation.

Official registration & tickets

Official registration for Digital First 2026 is available through the Digital First website. The event takes place on 1 December 2026 at Brussels Gate in Groot-Bijgaarden, with doors opening at 8:00, sessions beginning at 9:00 and the afterwork programme running from 17:00 to 18:30.

The published ticket structure includes Early Bird at approximately $226.20, Regular at approximately $342.20 and Late Bird at approximately $458.20 after conversion from the organiser’s published ticket amounts. All three ticket categories include full congress access, networking lunch, parking and the afterwork drink.

A 15% group discount is available for bookings of at least five tickets. Ticket availability depends on the relevant sales period, so visitors should check the official registration page for the current ticket category when booking.

The official Digital First website remains the best source for registration, ticket conditions, programme updates, speaker information and practical visitor details. The organiser also provides an on-site information desk for support during the congress.