The Power in Partnership: Behind the scenes of events with our sponsors
Mark Tomlinson
Senior Sponsorship Sales Manager
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Sustainable Aviation Futures
On June 20th, 2022, the first edition of Sustainable Aviation Futures took place at the Movenpick Hotel in Amsterdam. Back then, the IRA was yet to be ratified by congress, RefuelEU was a working document within the files of the European commission and the concept of scaling up SAF production seemed like blue-sky thinking.
Among the 200 attendees, ten companies supported the inaugural congress as the first ever sponsors at Sustainable Aviation Futures. Fast forward to 2025 and the SAF project landscape has expanded internationally with exciting technological, financial and regulatory developments highlighting cross-industry collaboration and an appetite to achieve Net-Zero targets. Looking ahead to our flagship EU congress taking place this May 6-8, we are delighted to be partnered with over 36 organizations from across the aviation value chain.
On paper, corporate sponsorship entails a monetary investment in return for promotional benefits. Onsite at SAF Congress, sponsorship provides an unparalleled platform to achieve so much more.
With that in mind, join me on a sustainable journey as we reflect on some of the industry leading partnerships that have defined SAF Congress across the years:
Event: Sustainable Aviation Futures North America 2024
Sponsor: Gevo
Activation:
During the 3rd annual edition of the SAF Congress North America, invited guests were transported from Houston to rural Minnesota via a private screening of From the Heartland, an award-winning documentary produced by SAF congress Gold sponsor, Gevo.
The documentary showcased the work of farmers Becky and Shawn Feikema in collaboration with Gevo to promote sustainable practices across the US feedstock ecosystem. The private ‘dinner and a show’ activation from Gevo highlighted agriculture’s critical role in supporting carbon neutral air travel and gave a human face to an industry responsible for growing the sustainable feedstocks required for SAF production.
Event: Sustainable Aviation Futures APAC 2024
Sponsor: Watson Farley & Williams
Activation:
Sunny Singapore played host the first Asia-Pacific edition of Sustainable Aviation Futures in November 2024. In a region often described as the ‘sleeping giant’ of SAF production, APAC delegates were wide awake during an insightful masterclass delivered by international Law firm and sponsor, Watson Farley & Williams.
The masterclass provided clarity around the prospect for mandates, compliance and the feasibility of scaling SAF regionally. Watson Farley & Williams were able to articulate what demand signals were necessary to achieve broader regulation and capacity building for SAF across Asia-Pacific. In doing so, the Law firm reinforced its reputation as thought leaders on the subject through their sponsorship at the congress.
Event: Sustainable Aviation Futures MENA/Global Sustainable Aviation Marketplace 2025
Sponsor: Smartenergy
Activation:
In February 2025, SAF Congress collaborated with the General Civil Aviation Authority in the UAE to deliver a truly unique, industry leading event at the luxurious Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi. The event featured one of the largest meetings of Ministers, policymakers and energy providers tasked with overcoming challenges facing aviation decarbonization.
Lead Sponsor Smartenergy delivered several keynote panel discussions and presentations on the topics of SAF project development, offtake agreements and the de-risking of renewable energy projects worldwide. Their messaging and high-level support of the congress illustrates the importance that financial institutions and investment must play in securing shovels in the ground and SAF in the air.
Event: Sustainable Aviation Futures EU 2025 (May 6-8, Amsterdam)
Sponsors: Future Energy Global and Jackson Square Aviation
Activation:
Looking ahead to next week’s Amsterdam event, SAF Congress EU promises to be the largest to date! Over 800 attendees will participate at the historic Beurs Van Berlage for three days of senior level networking, learning and industry collaboration. One of the many highlights promises to be the Premium Dinner hosted by Future Energy Global and Jackson Square aviation on the evening of Tuesday, May 6th
Senior level networking represents one of the key motivations behind Sustainable Aviation Futures. With this in mind, our partners at Future Energy Global and Jackson Square aviation will host a three-course gourmet dinner and drinks in the panoramic surrounding of Capital C, Amsterdam, a venue reflective of dinner guests from across the aviation value chain. Industry leading speakers, VIP guests and fellow sponsors will have the opportunity to make new connections and partnerships at the most sought after dinner invite in town.
The above case-studies represent but a few examples of the creative thought leadership, branding and networking activations that our past and current sponsors have delivered across SAF global events. To experience this first-hand and to network with our leading industry sponsors, you can book your pass to Sustainable Aviation Futures EU 2025 below.
Alternatively, if you are interested in exploring similar partnership opportunities for your organization, I would love to hear from you! Regarding the potential for collaborative sponsorship opportunities at Sustainable Aviation Futures, the sky really is the limit…
To learn more about sponsorship opportunities across our global events portfolio, contact Mark at mark.tomlinson@safcongress.com
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