Freshwater to deliver the British Ports Association Conference for third year
Freshwater has been appointed to deliver the British Ports Association Annual Conference 2026 in Dover, marking the third consecutive year we have organised the flagship maritime event.
Our specialist events division was selected by Port of Dover as the preferred supplier to deliver the national ports conference, which will take place from 21-22 October 2026. We will provide end-to-end event management across the three-day programme, hosted at the Port of Dover’s Cruise Terminal 1, a historic former railway station originally built in 1914.
Working closely with the British Ports Association (BPA) and Port of Dover, our events division is supporting plans to make BPA 2026 the biggest ever, increasing capacity to 450 delegates, up from 350 at last year’s sold-out event.
The programme will include a main conference, an exhibition space created within normally out-of-bounds areas of the terminal, evening networking events and a gala dinner and BPA awards ceremony.
The event will also see the Port-2-Port 2026 charity cycling challenge conclude at the Port of Dover, with riders completing a 300km+ journey in support of charitable causes.
Freshwater is supporting Port of Dover’s sustainability goals by prioritising local suppliers, working with catering partner, Pikkle, to source regional suppliers and offering work experience opportunities to students from a local catering college.
The event will also expand sponsorship opportunities and exhibition space, building on the success of previous years where both delegate registrations and exhibition stands sold out. A “Dover Soul” themed social event will take place at Maison Dieu, showcasing local food, drink and culture, alongside a programme designed to bring together port operators, supply chain partners and industry leaders from across the UK.
Doug Bannister, CEO of the Port of Dover, said: “We are delighted to be hosting the BPA Annual Conference here in Dover, Britain’s busiest port for travel and trade, and look forward to exchanging ideas, sharing successes and shaping the future with great colleagues from around the Port sector. The strength of last year’s conference on the Humber raised the bar, and we are planning for an excellent 2026 Conference.
“2026 is a pivotal year for us as a port and the wider industry, and key events, like this, bring together the many voices and perspectives of UK ports and harbours towards a unified agenda as we adapt to and future-proof the plethora of issues facing our key sector. I am looking forward to welcoming everyone to Dover this year.”
This appointment builds on our growing reputation for delivering major national events across both the public and private sectors, with clients including Associated British Ports, British Telecom, Unite the Union, Welsh Government and several NHS trusts.
Aled Edwards, director of events at Freshwater, said: “Delivering the British Ports Association Conference for the third-year running reflects the strength of our events team and the partnerships we’ve built across the ports sector.
“Each year we look to build on what we’ve delivered previously, and BPA 2026 gives us the opportunity to do that again through increased capacity, expanded exhibition space and a shared commitment to sustainability and local impact.
“We’re really looking forward to working with Port of Dover and the British Ports Association to deliver three days of insight, collaboration and connection for the UK maritime community.”
Registrations, exhibition sales and sponsorship for the British Ports Association Annual Conference 2026 are available now. Visit the website for more information: www.BPA2026.com