CONFERENCE ALERT: FIRST WAVE OF SPEAKERS REVEALED
We are officially opening the conference lines for SHIP 2026. Meet the first 15 industry professionals, curators, and cultural advocates heading to Šibenik this September.
Covering everything from major European showcase strategies and innovative festival production to international music export and sync licensing, this year's conference program is built to drive real conversations, critical debates, and long-term connections.
The Speakers Lineup
- Alan Pedder // Music journalist and science writer currently on the editorial teams at The Line of Best Fit (UK) and The Needle Drop (US).
- Ana Konstantinović // Cultural manager & producer working with Liveurope, Arsenal Fest, Sarajevo Film Festival, Olympiad Paris and LONGPLAY agency.
- Angeliki Spyridaki // Cultural policy expert and founder of "Music from Greece", the country's first and only active bottom-up music export office.
- Anna van Nunen // Managing Director of Eurosonic Noorderslag (ESNS), Europe’s leading platform for emerging music talent and pioneer in sustainable innovations.
- Dario Draštata // Executive Director of Dallas Records (HR/RS), president of indie labels association RUNDA, and chairman of the IMPALA executive board.
- Filip Košťálek // Artistic Director of Colours of Ostrava festival, a European Festival Award winner and featured in Forbes 30 Under 30.
- Jakub Knera // Music journalist and curator, founder of Noweidzieodmorza.com, contributor to The Quietus, and co-organiser of Sea You Showcase.
- Jozsef Halmen // Booking Agent at F-cat Productions and Stairway Booking, and musical curator of Romania's independent Mumush Festival.
- Mandy Salem-Aubry // Independent music business consultant at MSA Music Services and Programme Coordinator for Athens Music Week festival.
- Marv Rudnick // Live Music Booking Agent at Midnight Mango agency, curating international tours for artists like piano virtuoso Andrea Vanzo.
- Rodrigo Contreras // Head of Sync & Creative Strategy at onestop music, securing sync placements with platforms like HBO Max, Apple TV+ and Netflix.
- Ruth Barlow // Director of Live Licensing at the iconic Beggars Group, Chair of AIM, and an active board observer advocating for the independent music community.
- Saskhia Menendez // Host of the Music Industry Insights Worldwide podcast, and founder of the Global Trans Charter for the Music Industry.
- Sigtryggur Baldursson // Special Advisor at Iceland Music, director of Hljómskálinn music show, known as a founding member of The Sugarcubes.
- Tineke Codron // Founder of Square1support.be, consulting for Muziekcentrum de Bijloke, Greenhouse Talent and Wasted Talent.
First speakers are in, secure your pass here and see you in September.