Home NEWS Riga poised to become a meeting point for Europe’s event industry

Riga poised to become a meeting point for Europe’s event industry

PULSE Forum reveals the full program

Oct 7, 2026

On 28 and 29 October, Hanzas Perons in Riga will bring together world-class event professionals with experience spanning Eurovision, Olympic Games activations, global concert tours and internationally awarded experiences.

Over two days, PULSE stage will welcome industry experts from 10 countries: Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, Denmark, Ukraine, Norway, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia. Between speakers, you’ll meet tour managers, technical producers, experience creators for global brands, creative directors, designers, communication specialists, and professionals from hospitality, security, and other fields. In short – everyone involved in the events and live communication industry.

Rather than a conventional series of lectures, the program is designed as a meeting point for different experiences and perspectives, combining practical case studies, interviews, discussions, and lively debates.

Day one: people, brands, cities and the business of events

The first day of PULSE will open with a conversation about belonging and the ability to create meaningful connections at a time when attention has become one of the most valued resources. It will then explore immersive experience design, the future of brands, and global concert touring.

The PULSE stage will welcome internationally recognised professionals in experience design and communications, including Janne Björge, Head of NORD CORE; Patrick Roubroeks, founder of experience agency XSAGA; Jens Oliver Mayer, Managing Director of the European operations of global agency Jack Morton Worldwide; and Jesse Voss, tour manager for Käärijä.

Dedicated discussions will explore how major events affect cities, the real cost of sustainability, and the relationship between agencies and their clients. The Future of Business will bring both sides of the events business into one conversation, while the sustainability debate will draw on two well-known events in Latvia that all the locals have probably attended at least once as concrete case studies: Summer Sound and the Rimi Riga Marathon.

The program on Day One will conclude with Stefan Dombek, who works on the technical production of concerts by internationally renowned electronic music artist Alan Walker. His session will focus on what audiences rarely see: the technical systems that transform a creative idea into a real large-scale event.

Day two: safety, AI, space and Latvia’s place in the world

The second day of PULSE will begin with Stay or Fly? discussion organised by the Latvian Academy of Culture about the choice between building a professional future in Latvia or seeking opportunities abroad. Young professionals will share their experiences and perspectives alongside industry professionals Kate Erharde and Guna Zučika.
This will be followed by Ukrainian producer Natali Shestakova’s perspective on creating events in unpredictable circumstances,đ as well as a discussion about the role of safety and security in the events industry.

In The Future of AI, Kristaps Cīrulis, Creative Director at innovation agency Helve, will go beyond simply talking about artificial intelligence – he will involve the audience in a practical experiment with emerging tools. Designer Germans Ermičs will explore the breaking down of boundaries between design, art, space and business, while The Future of Space panelists will examine how expectations towards physical spaces, their atmosphere and their ability to create meaningful experiences are changing.

“We created PULSE because the industry needs a place where people can do more than listen to success stories – a place where they can meet, exchange ideas and, more importantly, disagree. Looking at the complete two-day programme, that is exactly what we have achieved. Different industries, countries and experiences will meet on one stage, united by one question: what kinds of events and experiences will we create in the future?” says Toms Veiss, the creator and producer of PULSE.

Another central question on Day Two will be the international potential of Latvia’s creative industries. In SMALL STAGE AT HOME. NO EXCUSE FOR A SMALL STAGE ABROAD, representatives from different creative sectors will discuss the opportunities available to Latvian professionals in international markets, the areas in which Latvian ideas and talent are already competitive, and what is still needed for the local industry to turn its quality into a stronger international presence.

The forum’s professional programme will conclude with Jon Angelo Gjetting, Creative Director at Alchemist, 2 Michelin star owner, ranked No. 5 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list. His presentation will explore how a single idea can be transformed into a 360-degree experience by bringing together gastronomy, design, theatre and architecture.

PULSE does not stop with the official program

On both days, the program will be complemented by a specially curated musical line-up from Bobe.me, featuring Latvian musicians EMILIJA, Idille, Annika + Jēkabs, Waterflower and DJ Roadchanger.

On the evening of Day One, forum attendees and the wider public will be invited to the official PULSE Late Session at BURBULIS, where the conversations will continue alongside live music and a few unexpected moments. The forum will conclude on Day Two with a live performance of “A Tribute to Amy Winehouse”, followed by DJ Mareks Ameriks.

PULSE will take place on 28 and 29 October at Hanzas Perons in Riga. The forum is intended for everyone who creates and commissions events. Tickets and further information: https://www.pulseforum.co/lv.