Creativity in a Polarised World, presented by Emergency Exit
Conference
Creativity in a Polarised World, presented by Emergency Exit
Speakers: Dušan Kovačević (CEO & Founder, EXIT), Artur Mendes (Director, Boom) Àgata Tantinya Vidal (Creative Director, La Fura dels Baus)
Moderator: Greg Cochrane
In a time of growing political polarisation and social unrest, cultural organisations face mounting pressure to take a stand. This conversation explores how creative players can navigate these tensions while asking: when social unrest dominates the agenda, can sustainability efforts hold their place?
What is this program about?
Join Dušan from Exit Festival (SR), Agatha from La Fura dels Baus (SP), and Arthur Mendes from Boom Festival (PT) in this panel. This past summer, Boom Festival in Portugal faced discrediting campaigns. At the same time, Exit Festival in Serbia marked its 25th anniversary under unprecedented political and financial pressure, announcing that it would be its final edition under these circumstances. Having joined forces in the European ‘Emergency Exit’ collaboration to create a touring show that mobilises audiences for climate action. They bring fresh insights from the past festival season.
Who is this program for?
This panel is presented by Emergency Exit, a joint project between EXIT Foundation, Boom Festival, La Fura Dels Baus, and Green Events that is co-funded by Creative Europe. This program was designed for artists, event and festival professionals, and cultural workers. This program is part of ADE Green, and can be accessed with an ADE Pro Pass or ADE Green Day Pass.
Conference FAQ
The conference program has already been partially announced! Check out the announced program here.
We do not sell ADE Conference only or Day Passes. The only way to get access to the ADE Pro Conference is the ADE Pro Pass.
Tickets for the specialist sessions and ADE Lab can be found on the ticket page.
✓ Valid all five days
ADE Pro conference takes place from Wednesday through Saturday, but the ADE Pro Pass benefits go well beyond those four days. The ticket grants access to ADE’s full offering, including all conference programs as well as all ADE Festival and Arts & Culture events* — read on below to get an impression of everything included with your ADE Pro Pass.
✓ Full access to all conference keynotes, panels and locations
ADE Pro is the ultimate business and inspiration gathering for the electronic music industry. The four-day conference returns to live action at our iconic home base Felix Meritis and features dedicated programming at the forefront of our industry. In addition, ADE will also continue to host conference programs dedicated to young creators and aspiring professionals.
✓ Year round access to ADE Pro's networking platform & database
Get a head start on connecting with fellow music professionals and companies with the ADE Pro networking database, available throughout the year. The online networking tool enables you to find and connect with all ADE Pro delegates, showcase your business with a dedicated profile page, plan meetings during ADE and much more. Over 50.000 messages are being sent on the platform yearly, with new professional connections being made on the regular.
✓ Join dedicated networking events and sessions
With over 9.000 music professionals from around the globe gathering in Amsterdam, you’re almost guaranteed to find who you need. An abundance of networking events and opportunities with fellow ADE delegates and industry leaders provides an advantageous base for dealmaking and career advancement.
✓ Access to all official Business Hubs
Whether you’re planning a meeting with fellow delegates, looking for a comfortable spot to work or simply want to hang out between conference events, your ADE Pro Pass grants access to all of ADE’s official Business Hubs.
✓ Access to the complete ADE Festival and Arts & Culture program*
With the entirety of ADE Festival and ADE Arts & Culture accessible with the ADE Pro Pass, your ticket enables you to explore the full spectrum of electronic subgenres in over 200 of Amsterdam’s finest music and nightlife spaces — with 2.500+ artists performing at 1.000+ events during five days and nights.
* Limited capacity at high-demand venues – read more at our FAQ.
✓ Receive the official ADE 2025 Bag
Your ADE Pro Pass comes with the limited edition ADE 2025 Bag, an ADE Pro Pass exclusive included with your ticket.
Our conferences are accessible for all ages in general. Do note that when alcoholic beverages are served, access can be denied.
The applications for ADE 2025 are closed.
We have various hotel recommendations to ensure you get through ADE well rested. Our recommendations can be found here.
Info & Ticket Desks for picking up your personal ADE Pro Pass badge & wristband
Felix Meritis (outside)
Address: Keizersgracht 324, 1016EZ Amsterdam
Tuesday October 21: 10:00 to 20:00
Wednesday October 22: 08:30 to 20:00
Thursday October 23: 09:00 to 20:00
Friday October 24: 09:00 to 20:00
Saturday October 25: 10:00 to 20:00
Sunday October 26: CLOSED
~ The best location for collecting your accreditation when you want to visit the ADE Pro Conference.
Stromma - Pier 6 | Central Station
Address: Damrak 16, 1012 LH Amsterdam
Tuesday October 21: 10:00 to 22:00
Wednesday October 22: 09:00 to 22:00
Thursday October 23: 09:00 to 22:00
Friday October 24: 09:00 to 22:00
Saturday October 25: 09:00 to 22:00
Sunday October 26: CLOSED
~ This Info & Ticket desk is the most convenient location for people who'd like to pick up their accreditation right after arriving in Amsterdam at the central train station.
NOTE
Please be aware that your E-ticket is strictly personal and non-transferable. It is mandatory to show your ID/passport during pick-up. Your items cannot be picked up by someone else.
Also, don’t forget to complete your profile details before ADE, to make sure we have the right information to prepare your personal badge.
Haven't received your ticket(s) or cannot find them? You can easily find them by following the steps on this page.
NOTE: This leads you to a page of the Weeztix website, where you can find your ADE passes, as well as some ADE festival tickets - only if the tickets of the event are sold via ticket provider Weeztix.
Related Events

Music as Medicine: Artists, AI & the $6.8T Wellness Revolution
Hauke Egermann (Professor, University of Cologne) Marina Guz (CCO, Endel), ANNA (Artist), Tom Middleton (Director, Music and Neuroscience)

BumaStemra | The Significance of Dutch EDM: DJ’s and Politicians in Dialogue
Ferry Corsten & more speakers TBA

Music, Money, and Moral Lines
Henk Willem Smits (Follow the Money), Ellen Evers (DGTL), Dan Lambert (Kneecap Management)

Real Data, Real Insights: How Early-Stage Music Tech Gets Funded
Andres Lauer (Partner, Outpost Partners)

Cross-sector Partnerships for Change
Jannet de Jong (BAM Infra), Arash Aazami (Synergy), Daan Stigter (Into The Great Wide Open), Christiaan Elings (Circular Festivals)

Sound System Culture As A Force Of Healing
Linett Kamala (Interdisciplinary Artist & Educator), Tasha Slagtand (Artist)

Campfire Q&A with Cultural Icon Karl Kani
Karl Kani (Fashion Designer), Pay Kolmüs

Meet the Experts of Sustainability & Social Change
10+ industry experts on sustainability and social change

The Calm Before The Storm: MIDiA’s Mark Mulligan on the Future of Music
Mark Mulligan (Founder & Managing Director, MIDiA Research)

Essence: A Deep Listening Experience
Satya Hinduja (Alchemic Sonic Environment)