From May 20 to 22, just before the seventh edition of EXIT’s Sea Star Festival, more than 30 professionals will participate in panels and forums discussing crucial topics that are shaping the future of both music and tech. The Bridge Conference offers an exclusive opportunity for all participants to network and exchange ideas.
The speaker lineup features outstanding individuals whose work has shaped and continues to elevate the industry as we know it. Coming to Umag this May are Folkert Koopmans, CEO and founder of FKP Scorpio Konzertproduktionen GmbH, whose portfolio includes music giants such as The Rolling Stones, Foo Fighters, Taylor Swift, and Ed Sheeran; and Maria May, agent at the leading music and sports agency Creative Artists Agency, which represents global music stars such as David Guetta, Black Eyed Peas, Róisín Murphy, The Chainsmokers, Robin Schulz, and many others. In addition to performing on the main stages of EXIT and Sea Star, Indira Paganotto, producer and founder of the label and movement ARTCORE, will also appear at the Bridge Conference. Also sharing their insights will be Greg Parmley, owner of the world’s leading music conference, ILMC, and Cindy Castillo, Deputy Director of the Spanish festival giant Mad Cool. They will be joined by Barry Dickins, music agent and co-founder of International Talent Booking (ITB), who has represented artists such as Tom Petty, Diana Ross, Cher, Joni Mitchell, and Bob Dylan, as well as James Minor, Vice President and key figure in charge of the music segment of one of the world’s most influential festivals, SXSW.
“We are incredibly proud that the first Bridge has already managed to bring some of the leading figures in the European music industry, as well as many important names from the tech sector, to our region. Professionals from our area will have the opportunity to connect with them, learn, and share experiences, without having to travel to industry epicenters like London or Amsterdam. Instead, they’ll head to the heart of Istria this May,” said Dušan Kovačević, co-founder/CEO of the EXIT Festival and founder of the Bridge Conference, who will also speak at the event.
The Bridge Conference will unite leaders from the worlds of music and technology, featuring over 30 of the industry’s most influential figures, including: Claire O’Neil (A Greener Future), Juan Arnau (Founder and CEO, Elrow), Dušan Kovačević (Co-founder and CEO, EXIT), Julie Pilat (CGO, FYI.AI and former Executive Director at Apple Music), Emil R. Ljesnjanin (Founder and CEO, Tixbase), Ivan Milivojev (Co-founder, EXIT), Turo Pekari (Founder, MusicTech Finland), Ruud Berends (Co-founder and Head of Agenda, IFF), Nick Mathews (Senior Agent, Wasserman Music), Jess Kinn (Senior Agent, One Fiinix Live), and many more.
While the focus is on the music industry, Bridge will also explore how technology is reshaping live performances and events. Tech pioneers and leading companies will participate in discussions and panels on topics such as “Quantum Leap in Audience Growth Through AI and Data-Driven Marketing,” as well as whether bookers and managers rely more on intuition or hard data when choosing which artists to represent. Participants will gain deeper insights into how the tech industry operates and intertwines with music, and will be able to form new partnerships and impactful collaborations.
Bridge Conference 2025 breaks down geographical barriers and connects music professionals from around the world, creating valuable partnerships, collaborations, new markets, and opportunities for global progress. It is tailored for those who are ready to usher in a new era of music, entertainment, and technology, which is why attendance is limited. All industry professionals looking to gain new strategic insights, forge meaningful connections between technology and music, explore innovations, and contribute to the development of the industry can secure their spot at the conference via this link.
