The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has announced the full line-up of panellists and speakers for the Night Time Economy Summit 2025, set to take place on the 5 & 6 February at the Hockley Social Club in Birmingham.

The landmark event will feature over 250 speakers, with representatives from 20 countries across the globe, and six stages jam-packed with inspiring discussions, performances, and strategic initiatives aimed at shaping the future of global nightlife.

A convergence of industry professionals, enthusiasts, and policymakers, NTES provides an unmatched platform for idea exchange, networking, and innovation.

This year's summit is shaping up to be the biggest yet, bringing together a diverse range of industry leaders, experts, and visionaries to explore and celebrate the significance of the Night Time Economy.

Speakers include;  Annie Marie Chebib (Chair UKCMA), Arielle Free (BBC Radio 1), Ariel Palitz (Former NYC Nightlife Mayor) Aitch B (Soul II Soul), Bobby Friction (BBC Asian Network), Carly Heath (NTE Advisor Bristol), Charisse Beaumont (Black Lives In Music), Claire O’Neill (A Greener Future), Danny Howard (BBC Radio 1), DJ Rap, Eats Everything, Fat Tony, George Fleming (Save Our Scene), Gok Wan (DJ/Broadcaster), Freek Wallagh (Night Mayor Amsterdam), John Graham (Minister for NTE NSW, Australia),  Kate Nicholls (UKH), Keith Reilly (Co Founder Fabric), Lutz Leichsenring (VibeLab), Nadine Noor (Pxssy Palace), Mathieu Grondin (NTE Advisor Ottawa, Canada), Megan Wallace (GAY Times), Nick Morgan (The Fair/We Group), Paul Broadhurst (GLA), Sacha Lord (NTE Advisor Greater Manchester), Sam Spencer (Broadwick Live), Saima Suleiman (Birmingham City Council), Satia Rai (CEO IPSA), Sophie Brownlee (Music Venues Trust), Steven Braines (HE.SHE.THEY.) Tom Kiehl (CEO UK Music), UB40, Wez Saunders (CEO of Defected Records).

In addition to sessions and reports the summit will kick off with a Women’s Empowerment Brunch, featuring a welcome speech from Councillor Saima Suleiman (Cabinet Member, Digital Culture, Heritage and Tourism, Birmingham City Council,)and Silvana Kill (COO of NTIA) supported by NOWIE and shesaid.so.  With six stages to explore at the summit, there is a wealth of information and knowledge to support the Night Time Economy sector.

The summit brings together key organisations and initiatives to support the night time economy, including:

- Arts Council England, Help Musicians, and PRS Foundation providing guidance on securing funding for creative businesses.

- Safer Business Network, Best Bar None, Six Til Six, and The Loop showcasing cutting-edge approaches to venue safety.

- Equality in music initiatives led by Greater London Authority and Black Lives in Music

- GigPig, Music Venue Trust and Save Our Scene speak of Grass roots support with Government leaning towards a Concert & Arenas Levy

- Alpha Theta, Kuvo, PRS for Music and DJ Monitor discuss the development of music intelligence and how music recognition technology could influence the sector.

Collaborative data solutions presented by PRS for Music, ONS, MHCLG, West Midlands Combined Authority, and Greater Manchester Combined Authority.

The entertainment line-up is led by an exclusive interview with UB40, and sessions featuring Eats Everything and Fish56Octagon. Industry leaders including Danny Howard, Turno, DJ Rap, Slipmatt, Brandon Block, Lisa Loud, Don Letts, Aitch B (Soul II Soul), Arielle Free, and Bobby Friction from BBC Asian Network, will explore the evolving intersections of music, culture, and nightlife.

The 3rd edition of the Annual UK Electronic Music Report, supported by Amazon, will be presented by Danny Howard and Audience Strategies, offering crucial insights into the state of electronic music and future opportunities.

Global perspectives will be shared with representatives from 20 countries across the globe.

The summit will dive deep into 24-hour economies, with Ariel Palitz, Consultant for Hospitality and Night Time Economy in NYC, sharing insights on the city that never sleeps and the strategies that keep it thriving. Mathieu Grondin, the Night Time Advisor from Ottawa, Canada, will present his innovative strategy for building a successful 24-hour economy in the Canadian capital.

The Australian Trade Delegation, including John Graham, Minister for Night Time Economy from NSW, and Michael Rodrigues, CEO of NTIA Australia, will present insights into the Vibrancy Act and innovative nightlife strategies.

Other speakers from around the globe giving valuable insights include; Andrii Yankovskyi (Ukraine), Colin Neil (CEO of Hospitality Ulster), Camilo Ospina Guzman (Asobars Colombia), Freek Wallagh (Amsterdam’s Night Mayor),Helking Aguilar (Mexico),Giuseppe Moramarco (Scene Clubbing Heritage),  Lutz Leichsenring (Vibelab and Berlin Club Commission), Martina Brunner (Vienna Club Commission), Miles Niemeijer (Podiumkunst.net), Natalie Mets (Night Time Economy Advisor, Tallinn, Estonia), Ray O'Donoghue (Night Time Advisor, Dublin), Rody Di Pinto (Argentina), Sasha Ojeda Mendoza (City of Amsterdam), Sunil Sharpe (Give Us The Night, Republic of Ireland), Simone D’Antonio (URBACT, Italy), Tak Umezawa (JPNA, Japan).

A highlight of the Defected Stage will feature Award Winning DJ AG, the phenomenal artist celebrated for his award-winning year, who will sit down for an exclusive interview with Wez Saunders, CEO of Defected Records. The conversation will reflect on his remarkable journey in the music industry, and fans may expect a special performance that will energise the Birmingham crowd. Other key topics being discussed will be New Audiences for Drum & Bass, Regulation & Responsibility in Dance Music, Grass Roots Dance Music in Crisis, Creating Longer, More Lucrative Careers For Dance Artists and an exclusive interview with Eats Everything.

A queer stage, presented in collaboration with Gay Times, will feature dynamic voices like Lewis G Burton (Inferno), Steven Baines (HE.SHE.THEY), Ryan Langi (Hungama), and Nadine Noor (Pxssy Palace). Special interviews include Fat Tony and Gok Wan.

The summit will address vital issues impacting the night time economy:

-Sustainability in nightlife with Carbon Literacy and Claire O’Neill of AGF.

-A dedicated panel on electronic music in education, featuring Toolroom Records, Hospital Records, and others, inspiring schools to integrate music into curricula.

-Historical perspectives on the rave scene and its role in community evolution.

-A special partnership with the International Nightlife Association, highlighting global advocacy and solutions to drive vibrancy and growth.

Health and well-being topics will be discussed including mental health and hearing protection:

- Music Minds Matter, What's On Your Mind?, and Tonic Rider offer critical insights into well-being for music industry professionals.

- The launch of the Listen for Life Campaign in partnership with the WHO Make Listening Safe Campaign, featuring HELA, ACS Custom, and Specsavers, will highlight strategies for hearing protection.

The Independent Events Stage, hosted by Nick Morgan of We Group, will focus on:

- Crisis management for independent event organisers.

- Sustaining grassroots festivals amidst rising challenges.

- Innovative collaborations driving the independent events sector.

Shain Shapiro of Sound Diplomacy will speak with Kat Hanna from Avison and Tak Umezawa about development, government policy, and the exciting opportunities in the Night Time Economy. This discussion will offer key insights on how to develop vibrant, sustainable night time economies through policy and strategic investments.

This year’s summit will see the launch of the Night Time Economy Reports and Tracker, our first official market benchmark for NTE Data, developed in conjunction with CGA. This groundbreaking report will provide essential insights into the sector’s performance and growth, helping to shape strategic decisions in the years ahead.

View the full programme here: nighttimeeconomysummit2025-program