What’s Next for Circular Festivals? - presented by GDCF
Conference
What’s Next for Circular Festivals? - presented by GDCF
Speakers: Ridder Haspels (Chasing the Hihat), Chris Johnson (Shambala), Laura van de Voort (Green Events), Afke van Rijn (Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management)
Moderator: Alzira Schaap (Green Deal Circular Festivals)
Since 2019, more than 50 leading European festivals have united under the Green Deal Circular Festivals (GDCF) to co-create and test circular, climate neutral solutions that really work, all while inspiring countless visitors along the way. Now, it’s time to look ahead. From circular water systems to sustainable mobility pilots, collaboration between festivals and governments has shown that festivals can be living labs and powerful showcases for a better future. So… what’s next? What holds the sector back from becoming truly circular and climate-neutral? And where are the opportunities to collaborate with the government, using festivals as living labs and windows to society?
What is this program about?
In this panel, pioneering organisers will share their most valuable insights and hands-on tools, from impact monitoring and the GDCF Model to practical steps for implementation on the ground. We’ll dive into the real barriers holding the sector back from going fully circular and climate neutral and explore how governments can help break them down.
Who is this program for?
This program is aimed at event and festival organisers and managers, as well as policy makers – but also everyone curious about the future of sustainability. This program is part of ADE Green, and can be accessed with an ADE Pro Pass or ADE Green Day Pass.
Conference FAQ
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, such as ADE Lab and ADE Green can be found on the ticket page closer to the date of ADE 2026.
✓ 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.
If you want to apply for ADE 2026, you can fill in the form here. If you're interested in contributing to ADE Pro or Lab, whether through a keynote, panel, workshop, or proposal for a relevant speaker or topic, we’re open to ideas with clear focus and industry value.
Related Events
L-Acoustics DJ: Spatial Audio Controller for DJs - Introductory Product Demo
Helix | Cutting Through 100,000 Daily: Strategies to Break Artists Today
Patrick Moxey (Payday Publishing & Helix Records), Steve Hogan (WME Music), Maesic (Artist), Rida Naser Greene (SiriusXM BPM)
Google DeepMind | Beyond Prompts: Creative Tools for Making Music in the Age of AI
Jeff Chang (Director of Product, Google DeepMind)
DJ Mag presents: DJ Mag Selections live with DJ Bone
DJ Bone (Artist), Eoin Murray
INS Land presents: Next-Gen Asia - Architecting The Future of Entertainment Ecosystems
Inside the evolution of music, nightlife & youth culture — and how to succeed in it.
The Future of a Sustainable Festival Sector
Sanne Stephanson (Roskilde), Rob van Wegen (ESNS), Giada Calvano (Chloe Sustainability)
Creativity in a Polarised World - presented by Emergency Exit
Dušan Kovačević (EXIT), Artur Mendes (Boom) Àgata Tantinya Vidal (La Fura dels Baus)
The Global IP Debate: Who Owns What, and What Is It Worth?
Kavita Varu (New Media Law, Lawyer), Bindu De Knock (CrossLink Legal), Akinyemi Ayinoluwa (AMELIA SONGS LIMITED), Virginie Berger (AI Expert)
Networking Lounge
AI in Arts & Culture
Laser 3.14 (Street Poet), Bastiaan Woudt (Artist), Merel van Helsdingen (Founder & Managing Director, Nxt Museum), Dave Clarke