Mastering The Music Business (MMB) 2026: Full Schedule

MMB is the first and biggest international music business conference and showcase festival in Romania. Dedicated to all music enthusiasts, MMB is the place where both independent artists and key music business professionals are offered the opportunity to meet with leading experts in the local and international industry, learn from them and interact with them directly.

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11:00 EEST

(EN) Community as Currency: The Business Behind the Fanbase (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

Everyone talks about building a fanbase, but what does it really take to turn an audience into a thriving and sustainable community? Not just followers, streams, or likes, but genuine fans who are willing to buy tickets, merchandise, memberships, experiences, or support crowdfunding campaigns, while continuing to engage with the artist over time.

This panel explores what it takes to build and, crucially, monetize a community around an artist or music project. Artists and music industry professionals will share real experiences and practical strategies for turning audience engagement into meaningful, sustainable revenue. From identifying the right supporters and creating value beyond the music, to developing products, experiences, and direct-to-fan revenue streams, the conversation will look at what makes a community willing to invest in the project they care about.

Moderators

Tanya Stadnyk

Music Export Ukraine

Speakers

Paul Cioc

Carina Sava

Founder, Watermelon Agency

Marion Sosnowicz

Head of Business Developmenet, Music Glue

Marion has been working at Music Glue at Music Glue, an e-commerce platform tailored for the music industry, for the past 13 years.She has worked across multiple departments including ticketing, user services, campaign management, and sales. She currently serves as Head of Business... Read More →

Nina Mathys

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

11:00 EEST

(RO) The Sober Generation Is Here: Can Live Music Venues Keep Up? (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST

NICU COVACI ROOM

This panel brings together promoters and venue bookers to discuss the current challenges in live music, from rising costs and shifting business models to changing audience behaviours. With Gen Z going out less, drinking less alcohol, and engaging differently with nightlife, the conversation will focus on how venues are adapting their programming and strategies to stay relevant and sustainable. The discussion will explore what it takes today to build and maintain audiences, and how the live sector is responding to a rapidly evolving cultural and economic landscape.

Moderators

Cosmin Sipos

Digital Marketing Specialist, Kooperativa 2.0

Speakers

Matei Puscaru

Booking Agent, Quantic

Toni Nartea

Mihnea Fieraru

FORM Space

Thursday September 3, 2026 11:00 - 11:40 EEST
NICU COVACI ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

12:15 EEST

(EN) Make An Agent Fall For Your Show (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

What does it take for an artist to make a booking agent fall in love with their music and live show? In today's highly competitive live music landscape, great songs are only part of the equation. This panel brings together experienced booking agents to discuss what truly captures their attention, what convinces them to take a chance on an emerging artist, and what makes a live act stand out in a crowded market.

We'll also explore the realities of an agent's role today: the challenges of building tours, navigating rising costs, changing audience behaviour, and balancing artist development with commercial viability. Whether you're an emerging artist, manager, or music professional, this conversation will offer practical insights into how to build stronger relationships with agents and better position your project for the live circuit.

Speakers

Pierre Gautiez

Anca Lupes

President, RAW Music

Anca Lupeș is one of the most experienced professionals in Romanian music business. One of her most important advantages is that during her career in the music business she has activated in almost all the areas of this industry – mass media (press, radio, TV), concert organising... Read More →

Dragos Chiscoci

József Halmen

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

12:15 EEST

(EN) Musicals for Music Artists (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST

NICU COVACI ROOM

For many artists, musicals can offer exciting creative and professional opportunities beyond the traditional music industry. But what does it take to make the transition from the concert stage to the theatre stage, and how can this experience shape an artist's career?

This panel brings together performers, casting professionals, and musical theatre experts to discuss what qualities artists need to succeed in a musical production, how the casting process works, and the skills that set candidates apart. The conversation will also explore how performing in musicals can influence an artist's visibility, artistic development, and long-term career, opening new opportunities while complementing their work as recording and touring musicians.

Moderators

Carina Sava

Founder, Watermelon Agency

Speakers

Cornel Ilie

Artist, VUNK

Musician, composer and producer, Cornel Ilie is one of the most appreciated and long-lived artists in Romania. He is a founding member and lead singer of one of the most beloved pop-rock bands, VUNK. Tracks like Prăjitura cu Jeleu, Vreau o țară ca afară, Așa, și? or Pleac... Read More →

Crina Mardare

Gil Marsala

Emil Pantelimon

Thursday September 3, 2026 12:15 - 12:55 EEST
NICU COVACI ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

14:00 EEST

(EN) Scaling Local Talent Into Global Success (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:40 EEST

LAURA STOICA ROOM

What does it take to turn local music talent into an international success story?

This panel brings together professionals with hands-on experience in artist development, music business, talent discovery, music export and international industry networks to explore how emerging artists and local music ecosystems can break beyond their home markets.

From building the right professional infrastructure and developing export strategies to connecting artists with international festivals, showcases, networks and industry opportunities, the conversation will look at what really helps talent travel — and how local music industries can create sustainable pathways to global visibility.

Moderators

Tanya Stadnyk

Music Export Ukraine

Speakers

Svet Nunev

Promoter / Head of Business Development, Gotobeat

Svet is a London-based promoter at Gotobeat, one of the UK's fastest-growing independent promotion agencies. In just two years, Gotobeat has organised over 1,500 shows across the UK and 12 European countries, showcasing emerging talent from 16 nations spanning music, comedy, and theatre... Read More →

Alex Cotofana

Vilma Dzienaitė

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:40 EEST
LAURA STOICA ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

14:00 EEST

(RO) Social Media for Artists Who Hate Social Media (Workshop)

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

A working session for musicians who dislike this part of the job but still have to do it. Not motivational, and not a list of formats that work this month. Expect uncomfortable arguments along the way about what the algorithm is actually measuring, what authenticity has ever meant in music, and where the line between public and private belongs. You leave with a way of working that survives the weeks when you don't feel like it.

Speakers

Cosmin Sipos

Digital Marketing Specialist, Kooperativa 2.0

Thursday September 3, 2026 14:00 - 14:45 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

15:15 EEST

(RO) The Holy Grail of DIY: Cultivating Deep Fan Engagement (Panel)

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST

MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM

Community is the Holy Grail of the music business. In an industry where attention is increasingly fragmented, a strong community is one of the most valuable assets an artist, festival, or event brand can build. This session explores how to create, nurture, and grow engaged communities that go beyond audiences and followers, transforming fans into active participants and long-term advocates. We'll discuss strategies for building authentic connections, sustaining engagement between releases or events, and fostering a sense of belonging that drives both cultural impact and sustainable growth

Speakers

Nicole Cherry

Cristian Georgescu

Stefan Hadar

Artist Manager & Booking Agent, Watermelon Agency

Ștefan Hadăr has been working in the music industry since the age of 19 with some of Romania’s biggest artists such as Tudor Chirilă/VAMA, VUNK, and Zoli Toth. Starting as a jr. project manager, he learned a wide range of skills, from social media marketing to PR and booking... Read More →

Cosmin Sipos

Digital Marketing Specialist, Kooperativa 2.0

Constantin Vasile

Thursday September 3, 2026 15:15 - 15:55 EEST
MUGUREL VRABETE ROOM HOTEL CARO

Panel

11:00 EEST

11:00 EEST

12:15 EEST

12:15 EEST

14:00 EEST

14:00 EEST

15:15 EEST

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