The global nightlife industry is entering a new phase, one defined by structure, scale, and strategic decision-making. That shift was on full display at Fun Business Days (FBD), which held its fifth edition in April, at the Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias in Valencia.
More than 3,000 professionals from across Europe and the United States came together, marking a significant milestone for an event that began just five years ago with 300 attendees.
As nightlife continues to evolve beyond its cultural roots into a complex, global business, Fun Business Days has positioned itself as one of the key spaces where that transformation is discussed, challenged, and shaped.
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A global industry in the same room
This year’s programme brought together leading voices from across clubs, festivals, artist management, and large-scale event operations, reflecting the growing interconnectedness of the industry.
On the Fourvenues Stage, Rocco Veenboer, founder, and Tim Middelesch, CEO of Awakenings, shared three decades of strategic thinking behind one of the world’s most iconic techno brands, offering insight into how long-term vision and community building drive global relevance.
In “Festival Ops: Running the show across markets”, Tamás Kádár, CEO of Sziget Festival; Alek El-Kazal, Project Director of Ultra Europe; and Bernd Dicks, Co-founder and CEO of Parookaville, explored how large-scale festivals navigate different regulatory environments while maintaining consistency in production and brand experience.
Artist management also took a central role in the conversation. In “Artist Management: Beyond music and talent”, where Rachel Strassberger (Black Eyed Peas), Chris Braun (Artbat) and Cristiana Votta (Black Coffee) discussed how artist careers have evolved into multi-layered business ecosystems, combining branding, community, and diversified revenue streams.
In “Stronger together: The artist-manager formula”, Indira Paganotto and her manager Alex Avanzato shared the strategic model behind their project, from international residencies to the expansion into fashion and creative direction.
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Beyond content, a space for real connection
Beyond the sessions, Fun Business Days continues to stand out as a place where the industry connects beyond formal structures. Operators, promoters, artists, booking agencies, and technology companies shared two days of continuous interaction, turning networking into a core part of the experience.
“Five editions in, seeing more than 3,000 people in one space openly sharing how they run their businesses, exchanging ideas, and building relationships is exactly what we created Fun Business Days for. After this edition, it’s clear this space is more necessary than ever.” says Alberto, CEO of Fourvenues and Co-founder of Fun Business Days


































