On Tuesday 23 June, around thirty members of the Port Center working group met online for their first virtual meeting of the year. Since 2025, the Port Center Network has adopted a new working rhythm: two videoconference sessions and one in-person meeting, hosted by one of the network’s members. Following the Port Center Meeting held in Le Havre last March, this webinar was devoted to sponsorship strategies and private partnerships. It unfolded in several key moments:
March, this webinar was devoted to sponsorship strategies and private partnerships. It unfolded in several key moments:
• A survey of the participating structures, aimed at gauging their current level of engagement with private partners and assessing their capacity to develop a sponsorship strategy;
• A presentation by Annick Peeters, director of the future Belgian Port Center Havenwereld, on the sponsorship strategy implemented within her organisation: combining one-off partners and multi-year sponsors, this model has achieved an annual sponsorship target of €500,000, around 20% of the operating budget, with a new ambition now set at €600,000;
• A discussion session during which around ten Port Centers shared their experiences, progress, and questions on the topic.
The exchanges highlighted a shared ambition: while sponsorship does not yet represent a significant source of revenue for most structures, the majority say they are ready to embark on a strategic development process in this area.
📍 Next In-person meeting: Antwerp (Belgium), 17-18 March.
