Just a remark, as I have heard non-native speakers get this wrong. We can, and indeed often do, use the present tense to describe the future. However, when we do this, it suggests that the event being described has already been planned.
For example,
"My son starts kindergarten next year." That makes sense, because he's 4 years old. When he's five, he will be in kindergarten.
On the other hand, "OK, we're out of time, I have to go, we finish this conversation tomorrow" is NOT grammatical. This is something non-native speakers say a lot, but that strikes me as wrong. You must say "we'll" here. Does this distinction make sense?
Using the present tense for future events indicates certainty, consistency, and familiarity. In other words, use this to talk about events which will happen, which happen on a regular basis (or are predictable in some way), and about which you have some personal knowledge.
The holidays start next week.
I know this happens every year, last year I saw it happen in the same way, and I am sure it will happen the same way this year.
The train leaves in five minutes
I know the train leaves at a specific time, I know that trains usually leave on time, and I have seen the schedule to confirm when the train will leave.
The gala event starts tomorrow
I have personal knowledge that it is scheduled for tomorrow, I know that events like this usually start on schedule, and I feel comfortable asserting that it will definitely happen.
If any of these three does not exist, there is uncertainty, and the future tense will be more appropriate.
We get paid on Friday
I know this happens with some consistency and regularity, as I've already received at least one paycheck on Friday.
We will get paid on Friday
Oops, now there is some doubt. I hope this will happen, but I'm not sure it'll happen.
Here's another example: given no other context, consider these two sentences:
He will make the winning shot of the game in twenty seconds.
He makes the winning shot of the game in twenty seconds.
The first indicates a future condition, but the context is unclear. Do I really know this will happen? Probably not. More likely I'm expressing an opinion, or a personal hope.
But the second sentence, that expresses an odd certainty. The context is either that we are watching a recording of the game which I have seen before, or that I'm psychic, and I've already seen this happen with my mental powers.
Best Answer
Yes, you can safely use the present simple there, since it's commonly used for scheduled events, like those written on a calendar or organizer:
If these sentences are written on your calendar, no one will interpret them as repeated events; i.e., that meetings with Bob usually start at 2 p.m., or that the party always starts at 8 p.m.
You'd be more likely to use the present continuous for personal arrangements in the following manner:
If someone were asking about the meeting, they could say
and you'd reply with
If an event repeats, it'll either be obvious from the context:
or more explicit: