The upcoming year will see Birmingham host a major conference focused on after-dark commerce and culture, after The Nighttime Industries Association (NITA) announced it as the location for its Nighttime Economy Summit. Scheduled for early February at Hockley Social Club, this two-day event will explore numerous aspects of nighttime activities and business.
Key discussion points will range from inclusive spaces to environmental responsibility, encompassing safety concerns, financial challenges, and various music-related topics. The gathering aims to address current issues facing venues and events in today’s economic climate.
This yearly meeting, organised collaboratively by NTIA and the International Nightlife Association, is expanding its reach. Participants will join from multiple continents, bringing perspectives from Asia, the Americas, Europe, and Oceania.
NITA chief executive Michael Kill highlights the event’s broadened scope, featuring new programming focused on diverse communities. Several specialised groups will lead conversations on sustainability and inclusion in nightlife settings.
The schedule includes focused sessions on gender equality in the music sector, along with discussions about racial equity in nightlife licensing and operations. Kill promises that this is the summit’s most diverse year yet, with Gay Times and Stonewall hosting a new Queer Stage and community led organisation she.said.so hosting a brunch to present their findings on addressing inequality in the sector.
Other industry leaders hosting talks and discussions include Brian Eno’s EarthPercent and Black Lives in Music.
Speaking to mixmag, Kill stressed the summit’s role in bringing together key figures to tackle both immediate concerns and future goals. “This will enable us to reflect, debate, and exchange ideas and best practices aimed at creating a safer and more successful night-time economy for the future,” he said, describing the gathering as an opportunity to evaluate current conditions and collaborate on creating an improved nighttime sector.
Find out more about the summit here.
