Bridge Conference
Schedule*
Festival VR Experience Activation – Step into Groundbreaking Virtual Showcase from Expo Dubai
Delegates will have an exclusive opportunity to experience EXIT Festival like never before, stepping directly into the immersive VR activation originally showcased at Expo Dubai. This innovative virtual experience transports participants to the heart of one of Europe’s premier festivals, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology can redefine audience engagement and the future of live events.
Key Highlights
- Experience EXIT Festival’s revolutionary VR activation from Expo Dubai
- Discover the powerful potential of VR to enhance live music events and fan experiences
- Engage directly with immersive festival content and next-generation virtual storytelling
- Understand how immersive tech can drive audience growth and brand loyalty
- Explore future possibilities for festivals and live entertainment through VR innovation
- 10:00am - 5:00pm
Introductory networking session
- 2:00pm - 5:00pm
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
- 5:00pm - 6:00pm
Networking drinks
Hosted by a La Dolce vita / local Croatia tourist board / wineries, amazing food etc
- 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Gala Dinner
- 8:00pm - Late
Breakfast
- 7:00am - 9:00am
Post-breakfast Coffee Networking
- 9:00am - 10:00am
Festival VR Experience Activation – Step into Groundbreaking Virtual Showcase from Expo Dubai
Delegates will have an exclusive opportunity to experience EXIT Festival like never before, stepping directly into the immersive VR activation originally showcased at Expo Dubai. This innovative virtual experience transports participants to the heart of one of Europe’s premier festivals, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology can redefine audience engagement and the future of live events.
Key Highlights
- Experience EXIT Festival’s revolutionary VR activation from Expo Dubai
- Discover the powerful potential of VR to enhance live music events and fan experiences
- Engage directly with immersive festival content and next-generation virtual storytelling
- Understand how immersive tech can drive audience growth and brand loyalty
- Explore future possibilities for festivals and live entertainment through VR innovation
- 10:00am - 5:00pm
Quantum Leap in Audience Growth Through AI & Data-Driven Marketing
In today’s rapidly evolving music industry, data-driven marketing is the essential key to unlocking untapped audience potential. By harnessing analytics, predictive insights, and algorithm- driven strategies, industry leaders can precisely reach, attract, and retain their ideal fans. This panel reveals how festivals, managers, artists, promoters, and venues can turn data into actionable marketing strategies, ensuring lasting connections with fans and consistent, measurable growth.
Key Talking Points
- Leveraging analytics to identify new and emerging audience segments
- Real-world examples of successful data-driven marketing campaigns
- Turning insights into revenue: Optimizing marketing budgets through targeted algorithms
- Predictive analytics for audience retention and loyalty
- Navigating the ethical challenges of personalized data marketing
- Future-proofing your marketing strategy: Key trends and next-generation tools
- 10:00am - 11:00am
Bridging The World – Navigating Emerging and Key Growth Markets in the New Global Music Landscape
The global music industry continues to evolve, with markets previously considered “emerging” rapidly becoming central hubs of growth. Regions like the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), India, Latin America, and Southeast Asia now offer unprecedented opportunities for artists, promoters, and music businesses. This panel brings together experts to discuss which global markets are transitioning from “emerging” status to essential growth drivers, exploring unique regional trends, cultural dynamics, market challenges, and strategies for successful entry and expansion.
Key Talking Points
- The shift from “emerging markets” to essential global music hubs: spotlight on MENA, India, Latin America, and beyond
- Current opportunities and market potential for international promoters and artists in these regions
- Practical insights into navigating local challenges, cultural considerations, and consume behaviors
- Case studies: successful global music events and partnerships within rapidly evolving markets
- Best practices for entering and scaling in key growth markets
- Predictions and future trends: which global markets will dominate music industry growth in the next decade?
- 10:00am - 11:00am
Break
- 11:00am - 11:15am
Barry Dickins (Music Agent & Co-Founder at ITB) in conversation with Greg Parmley (Managing Director at International Live Music Conference (ILMC) & IQ Magazine)
As one of the architects of the modern live music business, Barry Dickins has spent 60 years representing many of the world’s biggest artists. From starting with The Who, Jimi Hendrix Experience and Otis Redding, to his current roster that includes Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, ZZ Top and Billy Idol, it’s a remarkable career. In a unique conversation at the first edition of Bridge, Barry and ILMC head Greg Parmley will discuss building a legacy of success in music, Barry’s views on the business of talent and entertainment, and key insights in shaping the stars of tomorrow.
- 11:15am- 12:15pm
Break
- 12:15pm - 12:30pm
The Future is Tokenized: Can Blockchain Finally Fix Ticketing?
From fake tickets and bots to black market pricing, the live events industry is facing a ticketing crisis. Fraud, scalping, and opaque secondary markets are eroding trust and creating massive headaches for fans, artists, and event organizers alike. Blockchain-powered smart ticketing is emerging as a powerful remedy—introducing transparency, traceability, and entirely new value layers.
This panel explores how blockchain-based smart tickets are not only solving long-standing industry problems but also unlocking innovative monetization models, fan experiences, and strategic partnerships. We’ll unpack real-world implementations, confront the adoption challenges, and debate: will blockchain truly transform ticketing—or is it just another tech hype?
Key Discussion Points
- Smart Ticketing in Action: How blockchain eliminates fraud, counterfeits, and misuse through programmable, traceable ticketing
- Transparent Resale Models: Enabling controlled secondary markets with built-in royalties and pricing limits
- Beyond Access: Turning tickets into dynamic digital assets—unlocking collectibles, VIP perks, and post-event utility
- Attracting Strategic Partners: How smart ticketing opens the door to Web3-native brands, sponsors, and collaborations
- Adoption Roadblocks: Addressing scalability, user experience, and compliance in a rapidly evolving tech and regulatory landscape
- Lessons from the Frontlines: Insights on launching blockchain ticketing in live environments
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Networking Lunch
- 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Folkert Koopmans (Founder & CEO at FKP Scorpio) in conversation with James Drury (Special Projects Editor at IQ Magazine)
- 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Break
- 4:30pm - 4:45pm
Data vs. Gut – 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?
- 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Gala dinner
- 7:00pm - late
Breakfast
- 7:00am - 9:00am
Post-breakfast Coffee Networking
- 9:00am - 10:00am
Short Session / Panel
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Panelists
- 10:00 - 11:00
Keynote
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Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Curabitur nec ex semper leo pellentesque dapibus lobortis vitae ex.
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Speakers
- 11:15 - 12:15
Session
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Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Curabitur nec ex semper leo pellentesque dapibus lobortis vitae ex.
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Panelists
- 12:30 - 1:30
Closing Keynote
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Orci varius natoque penatibus et magnis dis parturient montes, nascetur ridiculus mus. Curabitur nec ex semper leo pellentesque dapibus lobortis vitae ex.
Mauris vitae diam a dui vestibulum posuere quis quis sem. Morbi volutpat porta odio quis vehicula.
Speakers
- 3:30 - 4:30
Festival VR Experience Activation – Step into Groundbreaking Virtual Showcase from Expo Dubai
Delegates will have an exclusive opportunity to experience EXIT Festival like never before, stepping directly into the immersive VR activation originally showcased at Expo Dubai. This innovative virtual experience transports participants to the heart of one of Europe’s premier festivals, offering a firsthand look at how cutting-edge technology can redefine audience engagement and the future of live events.
Key Highlights
- Experience EXIT Festival’s revolutionary VR activation from Expo Dubai
- Discover the powerful potential of VR to enhance live music events and fan experiences
- Engage directly with immersive festival content and next-generation virtual storytelling
- Understand how immersive tech can drive audience growth and brand loyalty
- Explore future possibilities for festivals and live entertainment through VR innovation
- 10:00am - 5:00pm
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 Talking 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 virtualconcerts.
- 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.
- 10:00am - 11:00am
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
- 10:00am - 11:00am
Break
- 11:00am - 11:15am
The Great AI Debate – Who Will Own the Music of Tomorrow?
As artificial intelligence transforms music creation, ownership, and distribution, questions around intellectual property rights, originality, and authorship become increasingly urgent. This provocative panel debates how AI-generated music will impact artists, labels, rights holders, and listeners. Who owns music when algorithms become creators? Experts from both the music and technology sectors discuss the ethical, legal, and economic implications of an AI-driven music industry.
Key Talking Points
- Intellectual property and AI-generated music: legal challenges and solutions
- Ownership dilemmas: artists, labels, developers, or AI platforms?
- Ethical implications of AI creativity: originality, authenticity, and artistic value
- Monetization and rights management in an AI-dominated music landscape
- Industry adaptation: how can artists protect their creative identity and value?
- Future scenarios: what music ownership could look like in a decade
- 11:15am - 12:15pm
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
- Greening Festivals: Expectations vs. Reality
- The Role of Festivals in Reducing Plastic Pollution
- Intersectoral Collaboration in Festival Sustainability
- What Comes After the Project Demo Edition?
- 11:15am - 12:15pm
Break
- 12:15pm - 12:30pm
Indira Paganotto in conversation with Alex Avanzato
- 12:30pm - 1:30pm
Hotel Check Out
- 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Networking Lunch
- 1:30pm - 3:30pm
Closing Cocktail
- 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Sea Star Festival Opening
- 10:30pm - 02:00am
*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.