Night Time Economy Summit 2025

Birmingham is set to host Europe’s largest gathering of the night-time economy community at the highly anticipated Night Time Economy Summit 2025.

Taking place at Hockley Social Club in Birmingham on Wednesday 5 and Thursday 6 February 2025, supported by West Midlands Combined Authority and key partners including Skiddle, Defected, GigPig, The Fair, Gay Times, Stonewall, VibeLab, NDML Insurance, Mustard Media, ACS, and more, this landmark event will shine a spotlight on the global night-time economy, uniting industry leaders, innovators, and visionaries from across the world.

Held at the 10,000 square foot cultural, food and NTE destination in central Birmingham, the summit promises to be a dynamic celebration and exchange of ideas. From Tokyo’s bustling nightlife and the energetic beats of Australia to the neon vibrance of New York and Europe’s eclectic scenes, this is where the pulse of the global night-time economy will converge, over two days of in-depth discussions, cutting-edge insights and a shared passion for the transformative power of nightlife.

The NTIA is delighted to welcome participants from 20 countries across Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, United States and the Middle East. The summit highlights its role as a leading platform for international and domestic collaboration and dialogue. Confirmed representation from the following Countries:  Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, England, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Spain, United States, Wales.

Speakers include: UB40 / Eats Everything (DJ/Producer) / Gok Wan (TV Presenter/ DJ) / Fish56Octagon (DJ/Influencer) / Aldo Zilli (Award Winning Chef) / Danny Howard (BBC Radio 1) / Ariel Palitz (Former NYC Night Mayor) / Charisse Beaumont (CEO BLIM) / Tak Umazawa (CEO JPNA) / Natalie Mets (Night Mayor Talenin Estonia) / Sunil Sharpe (Give Us The Night ROI)  / Dame Caroline Dinenage (Chair Culture, Media & Sport Committee) / Professor Fiona Measham (The Loop) / Carly Heath (NTE Advisor Bristol) / Sacha Lord (NTE Greater Manchester) / Kate Nicholls OBE (CEO UKH) / Emma McLarkin OBE (CEO BBPA) / Mark Davyd (CEO Music Venue Trust) / Megan Townsend (Mixmag) / Megan Wallace (GAY Times) / Philip Kolvin KC (Barrister) / Tom Kiehl (CEO UK Music) / Wez Saunders (CEO Defected) / Michael Rodrigues (NSW 24hr Commissioner) / Shain Shapiro (Sound Diplomacy) / Dr Lynne Baird (Daniel Baird Foundation).

The groundbreaking event will feature a comprehensive lineup over six stages, with over 200 speakers each designed to tackle critical topics, foster collaboration, and inspire actionable strategies for a sustainable and inclusive night-time economy.

First 100 Speakers Confirmed (Ato Z): Ali Turnham / Andrii Yankoyski / Anne Marie Chebib / Ariel Palitz / Barry Watts / Ben Butler / Ben Newby / Brandon Block / Camilo Ospina Guzman / Carly Heath / Caroline Archer / Charise Beaumont / Chris Goss / Christian Sayer / Claire O’Neill / Colin Neill / Dame Caroline Dinenage / Danny Howard / Dawn Dines / Deborah Hewitt / Dr Lynne Baird / Duncan King / Eats Everything / Ella McWilliams / Emma McLarkin / Finlay Johnson / Fish56Octagon / Franklin Boateng / Geoff Rowe / George McGregor / Gok Wan / Grace Flynn / Graeme Park / Greg Marshall / Hayan Abou Assali / Hannah Wadey / James Kirkham / Jenn Nimmo Smith / Jo Heuston / Joaquim Boadas de Quintana / Jon Robb / Jordan Ford / Julia Toppin / Julie Tippins / Katouche / Kate Nicholls / Katy Porter / Keith Reilly / Kelkin Aguilar / Lawrence Barton / Leo Charalambides / Lisa Baskott / Lisa Lashes / Lyle Bignon / Majestic / Mark Davyd / Mark Laurie / Maria May / Mathieu Grandon / Megan Townsend / Mgena Wallace / Michael Rodrigues / Mick Gibb / Miles Shackleton / Mirik Milan / Natalie Metz / Nick Morgan /  Ojay Macdonald / Peter Rogers / Phantasy / Phil Clapp / Philip Kolvin KC / Prof Fiona Measham / Richard Parker / Robert Richardson / Robert Shepherd / Rodolfo Di Pinto / Rukhsana Bentley / Sacha Lord / Sally Freeman / Salma Repa / Sarah Clover / Satia Rai / Serg Bienetti / Shain Shapiro / Simone D’Antonio / Slipmatt / Steve Alton / Steve Rotherham / Steven Braines / Sunil Sharpe / Suzanne Bull MBE / Sylvia Oates / Syreeta / Tak Umuzawa / Tom Kiehl / Troi Lee / UB40 / Wez Saunders / Yuri Dokter.

Stage 1, focused on nightlife advocacy, will bring together national and international leaders to address urban safety, cultural enrichment, economic sustainability, and the impact of technology. This platform will spotlight the collaboration needed to create thriving night-time economies worldwide.

Stage 2, in collaboration with Defected Records, will explore the evolution of electronic music and its essential role in nightlife. Industry leaders will provide insights into publishing trends, management strategies, and promotional techniques, offering a deep dive into the ever-changing landscape of electronic music.

Stage 3 will offer two distinct themes across its two days. Day 1, hosted by VibeLab, will focus on global perspectives, bringing together thought leaders from international cities to discuss governance, innovation, and cross-border collaboration in nightlife. Day 2 will transform into the Queer Stage, hosted by Gok Wan and supported by GAY Times and Stonewall, celebrating LGBTQ+ contributions to nightlife through vibrant performances, discussions, and a spotlight on inclusivity.

Stage 4 will also feature two distinct days of programming. Day 1 will host the Hospitality Stage, supported by the Institute of Hospitality, Institute of Licensing, and British Beer and Pub Association, to explore the challenges and opportunities faced by hospitality professionals. On Day 2, this stage will focus on independent festivals and events, hosted by The Fair, addressing the financial and logistical challenges of these unique cultural gatherings while exploring pathways to ensure their sustainability and growth.

Stage 5 will tackle the critical issues of advocacy, diversity, and sustainability. Spanning two days, this platform will delve into accessibility, inclusivity, and environmental responsibility, offering innovative strategies to create a greener and more equitable nightlife landscape.

Stage 6, the Academic Stage, will unite leading researchers and academics to present groundbreaking studies and host fireside interviews with global thought leaders. By bridging the gap between research and practice, this stage will provide evidence-based insights into urban safety, cultural innovation, and economic trends, offering actionable ideas for the night-time economy.

The Night Time Economy Summit 2025 will serve as a vital platform for reimagining nightlife, celebrating its cultural impact, and driving innovation across industries. With a diverse range of voices and topics, this summit will set the stage for the future of a vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive night-time world.