THE AGENCY OF THE YEAR
AWARDS 2026 GALA NIGHT
For years, the Agency Of The Year evening has been one of the most enjoyable gatherings of the industry, a great party bringing together agencies, clients and partners to celebrate the year.
And it worked.
But over time something became clear.
The quality, depth and ambition of the dossiers submitted by agencies deserve more than just a party. That level of commitment deserves an evening that gives space and recognition to the work behind it.
So this year, the format evolves.
Agency Of The Year 2026 is not your usual gala.
The evening is designed as a three-act experience, guiding guests through several spaces of TheMerode, one of Brussels’ most remarkable venues.
Moving from classical elegance to modern celebration, the night unfolds as both a prestigious ceremony and the industry party everyone loves.
Moving from classical elegance to modern celebration, the night unfolds as both a prestigious ceremony and the industry party everyone loves.
A Night in Three Acts
Act I — Cocktail Reception at the Louis XVI Salon
The evening begins in one of TheMerode’s elegant Louis XVI salons, where nominees, jury members, agency leaders and invited guests will gather for a cocktail reception.
In this historic setting, guests reconnect, celebrate the finalists and enjoy the first moments of the evening in a relaxed and refined atmosphere.
A moment to meet peers, exchange stories and build anticipation before the ceremony begins.
Act II — The Gala Ceremony & The Greenhouse Reveal
Once the atmosphere has warmed up, guests will be guided through the different spaces of TheMerode, moving together through the venue toward the evening’s central moment.
As doors open, the gala room will be revealed, marking the transition from cocktail reception to the Agency of the Year Awards Ceremony.
Inside the spectacular Greenhouse, guests will take their seats for a gala dinner and awards ceremony celebrating the agencies that have shaped the year.
Throughout the evening, awards will be presented at key moments during the dinner, creating a rhythm that balances celebration, recognition and shared experience.
Act III — The After Party at Ökēn — Japanese Underground Cocktail Bar
Once the ceremony concludes, the night doesn’t end.
For those who wish to continue the celebration, the evening moves downstairs to Ökēn, the hidden cocktail bar beneath TheMerode.
Inspired by Japanese design and underground nightlife culture, Ökēn offers a completely different atmosphere, intimate, immersive and vibrant.
Dim lights, crafted cocktails and a sleek Japanese aesthetic create the perfect setting to shift from gala elegance to late-night celebration.
DJ Mikali, from Beirut, will bring the heat to the dance floor and close the night in style.
For those who wish to continue the celebration, the doors of Ökēn will remain open. Guests are welcome to join the after-party where cocktails and drinks will be available for purchase at the bar.
Colleagues and team members who are not attending the gala ceremony are warmly welcome to join the celebration directly at Ökēn, which is open to the public earlier in the evening. Access to the after-party is free of charge, with cocktails and drinks available for purchase at the bar.
Three acts. One industry. One unforgettable night.