‘The Intersection Of Music & Tech Industries’: Bridge Conference Launches In Croatia

A new music industry conference launches on the Adriatic coast of Croatia this year. From May 20-22 the inaugural Bridge Conference is “set to become the leading event at the intersection of the music and tech industries,” according to the launch release.

Taking place in Umag, Croatia, and presented by EXIT Festival and a board composed of top European music executives, Bridge Conference aims to become “a key platform for industry leaders to connect, exchange ideas, and explore new opportunities shaping the future of live entertainment.”

Confirmed speakers include Folkert Koopmans (CEO, FKP Scorpio), Maria May (head of electronic, CAA), Indira Paganotto (DJ, producer, and founder, ARTCORE), Matthias Strobel (president, MusicTech Germany), Steve Hogan (senior agent, WME), Greg Parmley (head, ILMC), Cindy Castillo (deputy director, Mad Cool), Juan Arnau (founder & CEO, Elrow), Emil R. Ljesnjanin (Founder & CEO, Tixbase), Dušan Kovačević (co-Founder and CEO, EXIT), Julie Pilat (CGO, FYI.AI, and former Apple Music exec), 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 more.

Jennifer Cochrane, founder & CEO of Getahead, senior booker at EXIT Festival, and CEO of Bridge Conference, commented, “We are delighted to unveil the first wave of incredible speakers for the Bridge Conference. This is where future-defining partnerships are forged, where innovation meets opportunity, and where the Adriatic coastline provides the perfect setting for both business and creativity to thrive.”

While the focus of Bridge Conference is the future of the music industry, the event will also explore how technology is reshaping live entertainment. Tech pioneers and companies will contribute to discussions on the latest technologies including AI, blockchain, and Web3, and their impact on industry growth.

What will shine through all of the discussions is a philosophy “that live experiences are not replaceable, and that digital addiction is a real issue,” as Bridge Conference board member Dušan Kovačević told Pollstar when speaking for our annual East Europe Focus last year.

He emphasized, “we are not advocating against tech, as we feel it can be very useful for the industry. What we advocate is the safe use of it. The name Bridge has a lot of symbolic meaning, keeping in mind that we are a Serbian brand in Croatia, two of the countries with the biggest tensions in the past. It’s also a tribute to Yugoslavia’s only Nobel Prize winner for literature Ivo Anuric, for the book ‘The Bridge on the Drina’. We want to build bridges for peace, remembering the many artists in war-stricken or conflict regions.”

Bridge Conference 2025 attendees will gain insider insights, forge strategic partnerships, and uncover new income streams in an environment built for meaningful interactions.

Bridge Conference takes place in Umag in Istria, a Croatian region renowned for its rich history, culture, and world-class gastronomy. Hosted at the luxurious five-star Kempinski Hotel, the aim is to offers “an intimate yet exclusive setting for top-tier industry networking, presenting an unparalleled opportunity for leaders to connect and innovate. Bridge Conference embodies the essence of La Dolce Vita – where business and leisure merge seamlessly,” the announcement states.

Early bird conference passes starting at €249 ($260) are now on sale on the Bridge Conference website. Hotel packages and VIP packages are available, too.

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