Our Music Cities Afternoon is designed to bring people together and an opportunity to discuss a range of issues affecting musicians and our wider music community.

This year the focus is on the night time economy by working in collaboration with the newly appointed Night Czar, Michael Stewart.

Light Lunch: 12:00

---

Panel 1
12.45-14.15
Ensuring Safety in Northern Ireland's Night-Time Economy: Strategies for Protecting Women and Girls

This event will begin with a panel discussing the issues surrounding the topic and then we invite you to make a contribution or comment. The event will be facilitated by Thrive who will summarise and provide us with a briefing document following the meeting to help us all advocate for improvements for the city of Belfast and beyond.

Guest Panelists

Amy Lamé
Writer, Broadcaster, Founder and CEO, 24hr Cities and former Night Czar of London

Amanda Ferguson
Journalist

Finola Dornan
Superintendent, Local Policing | South Belfast

Michael Stewart
Belfast Night Czar

Chair Holly Lester
Free The Night

Objectives of the Event

1. Identify Challenges: Explore the specific challenges women and girls face when participating in night-time activities.

2. Solutions and Strategies: What solutions, recommendations or strategies are out there that are actionable that stakeholders in the night-time economy can implement to enhance safety.

3. What are the barriers, financially, culturally or in society to enhancing safety?

4. Inspiration: What initiatives that already exist are working that we can carry forward in NI.

5. Collaboration: How do we work together to create a safer environment for women and girls.

6. Outcomes: What are the takeaways from this meeting that we can share with wider hospitality, venues, music and key stakeholders?

If you would like to be part of this conversation then sign up and join us at from 12:00 for lunch or 12.45-14.15 for the panel. 

---

Panel 2
14.15-16:00
The Power of Music: Measuring Its Impact on Northern Ireland’s Night-Time Economy

This event will begin with a panel discussing the issues surrounding the topic and then we invite you to make a contribution or comment. The event will be facilitated by Thrive who will summarise and provide us with a briefing document following the meeting to help us all advocate for improvements for the city of Belfast and beyond.

Guest Panelists

Joe Dougan
Director, Shine Promotions

Michael Stewart
Belfast Night Czar

Rebecca Swarray
Senior Policy Officer- Creative Culture, Policy & NTE (Manchester)

Thomas McGarvey
Economic Policy Branch, Department for the Economy NI

Timmy Stewart
Artist, DJ and Promoter

Chair Boyd Sleator
Free The Night 

Objectives of the Event

1. Highlight Music’s Role: Explore the integral role of music in driving the night-time economy.

2. Measure Economic Impact: Discuss how music contributes to the economy through revenue, employment, and tourism.

3. Social and Cultural Value: Examine the social and cultural significance of music in night-time venues.

4. Strategies: What strategies exist, how do develop one for Belfast, how we to maximize the value of music within the night-time economy.

If you would like to be part of this conversation then sign up and join us from 14.15-16:00.