Schedule
Preliminary schedule - more sessions coming soon
- until 6:00pm
Arrival of participants
- 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Welcome reception
- 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Gideon Gottfried in conversation with Dušan Kovačević
Key Talking Points
- The founding vision and purpose of The Bridge Conference
- How EXIT Festival evolved into a platform for cultural and social impact
- Common pitfalls of relying too heavily on analytics or intuition alone
- The creation and impact of the Life is Live campaign
- Festivals as drivers of real-life connection in a tech-driven world
- Integrating technology and social activism in the festival industry
- The role of creative industries in shaping future societal change
- 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Dinner at the hotel
Navigating Analytics and Instinct in Artist Selection and Booking
In today’s data-driven music industry, the artist booking process increasingly relies on analytics, predictive insights, and digital metrics. However, intuition, experience, and creative vision continue to play a vital role.
This panel explores why finding the right balance between data-driven decision-making and instinctive judgment is crucial. Industry experts discuss practical strategies for blending analytics with intuition to create memorable, authentic, and commercially successful artist lineups.
Key Talking Points
- Best practices for integrating data analytics with intuitive insights
- Case studies: How successful promoters balance instinct and data
- Common pitfalls of relying too heavily on analytics or intuition alone
- Maintaining authenticity and artistic vision in data-informed decisions
- How to effectively leverage predictive analytics without compromising creativity
- What the future holds: Will balanced decision-making become the industry standard?
- 7:00pm - 7:45pm
The Next-Gen Festival
How AI and Emerging Tech Are Revolutionizing Live Music Experiences
As technology transforms live music interaction, festivals are pioneering this shift, employing AI, AR, VR, and other innovative technologies to craft unparalleled experiences.
This panel explores how AI and emerging tech enhance festival operations, fan engagement, and forge new revenue models and immersive experiences. Industry leaders will discuss cutting-edge applications in storytelling through VR/AR and predict the evolution of festivals over the next five years.
Key Talking Points
- Enhancing fan engagement and interaction through digital and immersive technologies
- Crafting immersive experiences through Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR)
- Diversifying revenue with innovative digital strategies: personalized merchandise, virtual participation, and dynamic sponsorships
- Ensuring festival resilience and adaptability through advanced digital solutions
- Future outlook: Redefining the festival landscape in the next five years with immersive and digital technologies
- Safety and event management improvements via predictive digital tools
- 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Dinner
- 10:00pm - 12:00am
Networking Drinks
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast
- 09:00am - 09:30am
Welcome speech & program information
- 09:45am - 01:00pm
Sessions & workshops
- 01:00pm - 02:00pm
Lunch
- 02:00pm - 04:30pm
Sessions & workshops
- 05:30pm - 09:30pm
Organized excursion including dinner
- 09:30pm
Return to hotel / open bar
- 3:00pm - 3:45pm
Keynote: Folkert Koopmans, Founder and CEO at FKP Scorpio by James Drury, Special Projects Editor at IQ Magazine
From Local Gigs to Global Stages and What Comes Next
- 5:00pm - 5:30pm
Limitless Capacity
Unlocking Global Audiences Through Digital Worlds
In a world where digital presence is becoming as critical as physical attendance, events with a robust online strategy have the potential to reach global audiences far beyond traditional limitations.
By strategically combining effective digital marketing, strong online communities, and innovative virtual concert experiences, promoters can dramatically increase their event’s global reach, engagement, and profitability.
This panel will explore how event organizers can leverage their event’s online presence and virtual platforms to attract new audiences worldwide, enhance fan interactions, and secure new revenue opportunities and sponsorships.
Key Discussion Points
- How to strategically build and expand your event’s digital presence to engage global audiences.
- Practical strategies for combining online marketing and community building with virtual events.
- Monetization models and sponsorship opportunities specific to online presence and virtual concerts.
- Real-world success stories: events that effectively utilized online presence to achieve global reach.
- Best practices for creating engaging, memorable, and interactive virtual concert experiences.
- Challenges in scaling online events globally, and how promoters can overcome these.
- The future of hybrid events: balancing digital presence with physical attendance to optimize overall success.
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast
- 09:00am - 09:30am
Keynote
- 09:45am - 01:00pm
Sessions & workshops
- 01:00pm - 02:00pm
Lunch
- 10:00am - 10:45am
Innovate Her
The Future of Female Entrepreneurship
Pioneering Paths & Breaking Barriers in Business. Explore the transformative journeys of female founders in this empowering panel. “InnovateHer: The Future of Female Entrepreneurship” will spotlight the challenges and triumphs faced by women trailblazers in business.
Panelists will discuss how they navigate a predominantly male-driven industry, the innovative strategies they employ to thrive, and the support networks vital for fostering female entrepreneurship. This session aims to inspire and equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights needed to succeed in the competitive world of business.
Key Discussion Points
- The Current State of Female Entrepreneurship
- Challenges & Barriers to Success
- Innovation & Leadership
- Access to Capital & Funding Opportunities
- Building a Resilient & Scalable Business
- The Future of Female Entrepreneurship
- 02:00pm - 04:30pm
Sessions & workshops
- 06:00pm - 08:00pm
Organized excursion and wine tasting
- 08:00pm - 10:00pm
Farewell dinner
- 1:00pm - 1:45pm
REMEDIES for Festivals
A Bridge to Green EXIT and a Circular Future
The panel will explore sustainable practices in the festival industry, focusing on the Bridge to Green EXIT initiative, the REMEDIES project, and broader efforts towards greener, circular festivals. Speakers will discuss practical implementation, challenges, and opportunities for festivals to drive environmental change, with a particular focus on reducing plastic pollution and fostering intersectoral collaboration through innovative projects.
Key Discussion Points
- Brief introduction to Bridge to Green EXIT & Green EXIT Initiative
- REMEDIES Project and its Connection to EXIT & Sea Star Festivals
- Green Deal Circular Festivals/Green Events and A Greener Future
- Greening Festivals: Expectations vs. Reality – example Boom Festival, Portugal
- The Role of Festivals in Reducing Plastic Pollution
- Intersectoral Collaboration in Festival Sustainability
- What Comes After the Project Demo Edition?
- 10:30pm - 02:00am
Closing party
- 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Closing Cocktail
- 8:00pm - 02:00am
Sea Star Festival Opening
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast & checkout
- After 09:00am
Departure of participants or Sea Star Festival (optional)
- 10:00am - 10:45am
Innovate Her
The Future of Female Entrepreneurship
Pioneering Paths & Breaking Barriers in Business. Explore the transformative journeys of female founders in this empowering panel. “InnovateHer: The Future of Female Entrepreneurship” will spotlight the challenges and triumphs faced by women trailblazers in business.
Panelists will discuss how they navigate a predominantly male-driven industry, the innovative strategies they employ to thrive, and the support networks vital for fostering female entrepreneurship. This session aims to inspire and equip aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights needed to succeed in the competitive world of business.
Key Discussion Points
- The Current State of Female Entrepreneurship
- Challenges & Barriers to Success
- Innovation & Leadership
- Access to Capital & Funding Opportunities
- Building a Resilient & Scalable Business
- The Future of Female Entrepreneurship
- 1:00pm - 1:45pm
REMEDIES for Festivals
A Bridge to Green EXIT and a Circular Future
The panel will explore sustainable practices in the festival industry, focusing on the Bridge to Green EXIT initiative, the REMEDIES project, and broader efforts towards greener, circular festivals. Speakers will discuss practical implementation, challenges, and opportunities for festivals to drive environmental change, with a particular focus on reducing plastic pollution and fostering intersectoral collaboration through innovative projects.
Key Discussion Points
- Brief introduction to Bridge to Green EXIT & Green EXIT Initiative
- REMEDIES Project and its Connection to EXIT & Sea Star Festivals
- Green Deal Circular Festivals/Green Events and A Greener Future
- Greening Festivals: Expectations vs. Reality – example Boom Festival, Portugal
- The Role of Festivals in Reducing Plastic Pollution
- Intersectoral Collaboration in Festival Sustainability
- What Comes After the Project Demo Edition?
- 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Closing Cocktail
- 8:00pm - 02:00am
Sea Star Festival Opening
*All sessions and times are subject to change
Wednesday May 27th 2026
- until 6:00pm
Arrival of participants
- 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Welcome reception
- 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Dinner at the hotel
Navigating Analytics and Instinct in Artist Selection and Booking
In today’s data-driven music industry, the artist booking process increasingly relies on analytics, predictive insights, and digital metrics. However, intuition, experience, and creative vision continue to play a vital role.
This panel explores why finding the right balance between data-driven decision-making and instinctive judgment is crucial. Industry experts discuss practical strategies for blending analytics with intuition to create memorable, authentic, and commercially successful artist lineups.
Key Talking Points
- Best practices for integrating data analytics with intuitive insights
- Case studies: How successful promoters balance instinct and data
- Common pitfalls of relying too heavily on analytics or intuition alone
- Maintaining authenticity and artistic vision in data-informed decisions
- How to effectively leverage predictive analytics without compromising creativity
- What the future holds: Will balanced decision-making become the industry standard?
Thursday May 28th 2026
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast
- 09:00am - 09:30am
Welcome speech & program information
- 09:45am - 01:00pm
Sessions & workshops
- 01:00pm - 02:00pm
Lunch
- 02:00pm - 04:30pm
Sessions & workshops
- 05:30pm - 09:30pm
Organized excursion including dinner
- 09:30pm
Return to hotel / open bar
Friday May 29th 2026
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast
- 09:00am - 09:30am
Keynote
- 09:45am - 01:00pm
Sessions & workshops
- 01:00pm - 02:00pm
Lunch
- 02:00pm - 04:30pm
Sessions & workshops
- 06:00pm - 08:00pm
Organized excursion and wine tasting
- 08:00pm - 10:00pm
Farewell dinner
- 10:30pm - 02:00am
Closing party
Saturday May 30th 2026
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast & checkout
- After 09:00am
Departure of participants or Sea Star Festival (optional)
*All sessions and times are subject to change
Wednesday - May 27th 2026
- until 6:00pm
Arrival of participants
- 7:00pm - 8:15pm
Welcome reception
- 8:30pm - 10:00pm
Dinner at the hotel
Navigating Analytics and Instinct in Artist Selection and Booking
In today’s data-driven music industry, the artist booking process increasingly relies on analytics, predictive insights, and digital metrics. However, intuition, experience, and creative vision continue to play a vital role.
This panel explores why finding the right balance between data-driven decision-making and instinctive judgment is crucial. Industry experts discuss practical strategies for blending analytics with intuition to create memorable, authentic, and commercially successful artist lineups.
Key Talking Points
- Best practices for integrating data analytics with intuitive insights
- Case studies: How successful promoters balance instinct and data
- Common pitfalls of relying too heavily on analytics or intuition alone
- Maintaining authenticity and artistic vision in data-informed decisions
- How to effectively leverage predictive analytics without compromising creativity
- What the future holds: Will balanced decision-making become the industry standard?
Thursday - May 28th 2026
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast
- 09:00am - 09:30am
Welcome speech & program information
- 09:45am - 01:00pm
Sessions & workshops
- 01:00pm - 02:00pm
Lunch
- 02:00pm - 04:30pm
Sessions & workshops
- 05:30pm - 09:30pm
Organized excursion including dinner
- 09:30pm
Return to hotel / open bar
Friday - May 29th 2026
- 07:30am - 09:00am
Breakfast
- 09:00am - 01:00pm
Keynote, sessions & workshops
- 01:00pm - 02:00pm
Lunch
- 02:00pm - 04:30pm
Sessions & workshops
- 06:00pm - 08:00pm
Organized excursion and wine tasting
- 08:00pm - 10:00pm
Farewell dinner
- 10:30pm - 02:00am
Closing party
Saturday - May 30th 2026
- 07:30am - 10:00am
Breakfast & checkout
- After 10:00am
Departure of participants or Sea Star Festival (optional)
*All sessions and times are subject to change
The Bridge Conference offers a dynamic and immersive program designed to provide attendees with invaluable insights, opportunities, and experiences.
Our carefully crafted agenda includes a wide range of sessions, from thought-provoking keynotes and interactive panels to hands-on workshops and networking opportunities designed to foster meaningful connections between industry leaders.
Expect topics ranging from the significance of independent festivals, How tech innovations can reduce costs and boost profitability, The intersection of tech and ticketing, Sustainability in the industry, Diversity and Take a Stand initiatives, Festivals and Agents, as well as various tech related topics.
Stay tuned for our full schedule, which will highlight the most exciting and innovative events of the conference, ensuring that you walk away with actionable insights and new relationships that will propel you and your business forward.
