ESPORG Annual Conference 2026

Recognising Truck Parking Excellence – Shaping the Parking of the Future

Secure Parking Areas are evolving into strategic service hubs at the heart of Europe’s transport, energy transition and military mobility agenda. From the EU Parking Standard shaping European supply chains to digital connectivity and drivers’ wellbeing, certified Safe and Secure Parking Areas (SSPAs) are becoming a cornerstone of a safer, more resilient and sustainable transport ecosystem.

On 4 March 2026, the European Secure Parking Organisation – ESPORG will organise its Annual Conference — a high-level event dedicated to recognising excellence in truck parking and shaping the parking of the future. Policymakers, industry leaders and key stakeholders from across Europe will gather in Brussels for this year’s edition, hosted at the European Commission’s Borschette Building.

The conference will open with a European Commission keynote by Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport at DG MOVE, presenting the EU agenda for transport and the role of SSPAs in supporting Europe’s energy transition and mobility resilience. This keynote will set the framework for in-depth discussions on the future of truck parking and logistics infrastructure across Europe, analysing today’s key transport and logistics challenges.

The program will feature forward-looking discussions on the transformation of truck parking into essential service hubs within the logistics chain, structured around two engaging panels addressing drivers’ wellbeing and military mobility as critical priorities for EU transport and logistics.

The first panel, on Military Mobility, will examine the importance of secure parking areas as dual-use infrastructure playing a vital role in both civilian and military mobility. This high-level discussion will explore the strategic relevance of parking infrastructure for military logistics, resilience and preparedness, bringing together representatives from EU institutions, the European Commission, the European Parliament and the European Union Military Staff.

The second panel, on Drivers’ Wellbeing, is dedicated to the professional truck drivers who are at the heart of Europe’s transport system. This session will focus on improving the working conditions, safety, comfort and social aspects, bringing together representatives from the European Commission, parking operators and social partners to discuss the important role that high-quality parking facilities play in supporting drivers and addressing Europe’s acute driver shortage.

Excellence in Truck Parking Awards

A highlight of the conference will be the Excellence in Truck Parking Awards, celebrating outstanding achievements and best practices across the sector:

Green Truck Parking Management Award – recognising operators committed to environmental sustainability and eco-friendly best practices
Home Away from Home Award – celebrating facilities that prioritise drivers’ wellbeing, comfort and quality of services
Best Truck Parking Award – recognising overall excellence in truck parking operations

These awards showcase concrete achievements and best practices that set new benchmarks for the parking of the future.

117_ESPORG_2025_SPORG GEN MAN PENASSE Dirk speecht

Speakers

Master of ceremony

Michael Nielsen

Chairman of the Board
ESPORG

Keynote speech

Kristian Schmidt

Director, Land Transport, Directorate-General for Mobility & Transport
DG MOVE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Panel discussion on military mobility

After two stakeholder consultations on military mobility during the summer, the European Commission tabled its Military Mobility Package on 19 November 2025. The proposal lays down measures related to dual-use equipment, means of transport and infrastructure to facilitate military transport in the EU and across its external borders. It aims to minimise the impact of such transport on civilian transport. It applies to the transport of equipment, goods and personnel that is operated by, or under the responsibility of, the armed forces of EU Member States and in certain cases of NATO allies that use dual-use assets.

Moderator

Frederic Maas

Delegate of the Board
ESPORG

Panellists

Herald Ruijters

Deputy Director-General, DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR DEFENCE INDUSTRY AND SPACE – DG DEFIS

Roberts Zīle

Vice-President EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

Brigadier General Mag. Lampl Stefan

Director Logistics EUROPEAN MILITARY STAFF

Dirk Penasse

General Manager ESPORG

Panel discussion on drivers’wellbeing

Inadequate service quality remain a major concern for drivers and undermine their wellbeing. Only 2% of drivers consider parking facilities clean and 52% say they are unclean. Even in SSPAs (certified or not), only around 55% are considered clean or acceptable. These working conditions maked the driving profession less attractive, despite Europe’s 500,000 large driver shortage. Only 46% of EU-certified SSPAs have an overnight facility within 3km. Women make up only about 6% of the driver sample and report higher insecurity due to poor hygiene, inadequate lighting, and limited security. To attract female drivers, SSPAs must provide gender-responsive features such as well-lit areas, staffed facilities and reserved parking near security facilities.

Moderator

Druselia Betea

Head of the European Wellbeing Initiative
EWELLIN

Panellists

Malika Seddi

Secretary-General, Association Européenne des Concessionnaires d’Autoroutes et d’ouvrages à Péage
ASECAP

Sven Hemelaers

Belgian Transport Union Secretariat – Transport routier & Logistique
BTB-ABVV

Jordi Espin

Secretary General
TRANSPRIME SPANISH SHIPPERS’ COUNCIL

Thierry Roger

Secure Parking operator

Adress by Ambassador Cosmin Boiangiu

Executive Director, European Labour Authority

Adress by Francesco Corti

Member of the Cabinet of Executive Vice-President Roxana MÎNZATU
European Commission

Award announcements:

Regional Authorities Friendly to Secure Truck Parkings Award

Green Truck Parking Management Award

Home Away from Home