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Mirik Milan Gelders
Partner at VibeLab | Global night mayor advocate | nightlife consultant | author | party promoter
Mirik Milan Gelders, born in 1981, is a prominent figure known for his role as the former Amsterdam Night Mayor, where he significantly impacted the city's nightlife economy.
During his tenure as the Night Mayor from 2012 to 2018, Mirik transformed the independent night mayor role into an independent institution with the Night Mayor Foundation Amsterdam, collaborating closely with the municipality of Amsterdam.
Mirik Milan's influential work in Amsterdam led to the creation of similar positions in over 100 cities globally, notably inspiring London with the appointment of a 'night czar' and New York with the introduction of their own Nightlife Mayor.
Mirik's contributions included the facilitation of 24-hour venue permits and a reduction in crime around Amsterdam's Rembrandtplein, leaving a lasting positive impact on the city's nightlife landscape.
In 2023, Mirik delivered over 20 international talks to city governments and planners, providing expert advice on handling Night Time Economies effectively.
Outside of his role as a Night Mayor, Mirik is closely involved with The Creative Footprint, a nightlife impact study initiated by his Berlin counterpart Lutz Leichsenring. This project aims to assess and promote a city's cultural infrastructure through analyzing nighttime policies and data from nightlife establishments in major global cities.
Since its launch in Berlin in April 2017, The Creative Footprint has expanded its research to include cities like New York City, Tokyo, Montreal, and Sydney, with upcoming studies planned for Rotterdam and more cities in the future.
Mirik Milan's primary focus remains on safeguarding nighttime culture and nurturing creative communities, reflecting his commitment to preserving and enhancing vibrant urban nightlife experiences.
Mirik pursued his education by studying Bachelor of Communication at Inholland University of Applied Sciences, which provided a solid foundation for his impactful career in the realms of nightlife and cultural advocacy.
Throughout his professional journey, Mirik has been associated with various organizations, including VibeLab, Night Mayor Amsterdam, Jungstar, Meubel Stukken, and MRKMLN GROEP, showcasing his diverse experience and leadership in different capacities within the creative and nightlife industries.