Sponsorships & Memberships

HCCDC supports local initiatives that enhance and celebrate the communities of the Hunter and Central Coast regions.

We support a variety of Sponsorship and Membership activities that align with our strategic objectives to:

deliver strategic outcomes to grow economic capacity and enhance communities;
drive industry diversification to grow more jobs to attract and retain talent to the regions;
create engaging, sustainable and attractive public spaces, connected to better transport options;
unlock opportunities and realise the full potential of government and land assets;
respect existing character, culture and heritage; and
work in collaboration and partnership with community and stakeholders.

Sponsorship is a commercial arrangement in which a sponsor provides a contribution in money or in 'value-in-kind' to support specified activities in return for agreed and defined benefits. HCCDC does not engage in sponsorship for purely charitable or philanthropic purposes.

Membership is a commercial arrangement with an organisation that provides opportunities to work closely with industry bodies and groups in areas representative of HCCDC’s strategic objectives. Memberships provide staff with learning and networking opportunities that may enhance the work of HCCDC.

HCCDC may consider supporting these type of activities:

events that bring significant economic activity to a city or region;
events that increase the profile of the two regions in which HCCDC operates;
revitalisation and community education programs;
activities or funding of research that relates to or complements HCCDC's strategic objectives, or projects undertaken in areas that HCCDC operates in;
initiatives that benefit the community (for example goodwill created by a festival, or an ongoing benefit such as a public artwork);
award programs, conferences, industry lunches, exhibitions and trade shows where there is strategic alignment and a track record of providing economic benefits to a community; or
significant regional events, sporting events, cultural or community organisation activities.

HCCDC may consider supporting organisations that:

have a sound reputation with Government, and good performance record for any past sponsorship (if applicable);
have a good alignment or fit with the brand and activities of HCCDC; and
do not have any conflicts between the objectives, mission or business practices of HCCDC.

HCCDC will not support organisations or events that:

have an alignment to political organisations;
promote gambling;
may be considered discriminatory;
could be detrimental to public health and safety;
promote or encourage alcohol or any substance abuse; or
may be subject to regulation or inspection by HCCDC.

To be considered, you MUST follow these steps:

1. First, read the HCCDC Sponsorship and Membership Policy

2. Ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria and requirements above, and detailed in the Policy

3. Download and complete a Sponsorship or Membership Application Form:

Sponsorship Form - Download
Membership Form - Download

4. And email the completed form to sponsorship@hccdc.nsw.gov.au

Please allow between four to six weeks for assessment of your proposal and note that, while your proposal may meet the criteria, approval will depend on availability of funds and resources.

Recent sponsorships

Newcastle Fringe Festival

HCCDC was proud to sponsor Newcastle Fringe, a five day live performance and art festival including over 100 events across Newcastle, covering everything from burlesque to theatre, comedy to magic, music of all genres, film, workshops and streaming on demand.

We were pleased to support open access events that attract families, locals and visitors to our regions, and loved seeing the city come alive with the quirky personality and fun that Fringe events are known for.

The Big Picture Fest Newcastle

HCCDC is proud to have supported The Big Picture Fest Newcastle as its Official Event Partner, Platinum Sponsor.

By contributing to the city's rich street art legacy, the internationally recognised Big Picture Fest coloured Newcastle's streets, leaving an enviable art trail that locals and visitors will be able to explore for years to come. The three-day festival in October 2020 brought Newcastle's creative community together to work alongside an all-star lineup of world-class professional contemporary artists, seeing 12 large scale murals painted during the live event.

The festival is fitting with our commitment to support the community and revitalise Newcastle's public spaces. We're so excited to see the new energy it's bringing to the city.

Watch the Big Picture Fest Event Video
Follow on Facebook and Instagram

University of Newcastle, Biomes

HCCDC partnered with The University of Newcastle for Biomes 2020 - an innovative virtual art exhibition - bringing the science of conservation out of the lab, and into the community.

In celebration of National Biodiversity Month, the interactive Biomes displays engaged, educated and empowered the community to take action, overcome eco-anxiety, and see their Newcastle region as a living, sustainable and diverse environment. Biomes shared local biodiversity stories, and celebrated conservation successes, including HCCDC’s remediation of Kooragang Island, and our successful protection of the endangered Green and Golden Bell Frog habitat.

Follow Biomes 2020

Explore the virtual art exhibition online
Follow Biomes on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter

Previous sponsorships

Refer to our Annual Reports for information relating to all Sponsorship recipients of previous years.

Smaller and Smarter Cities International Symposium

HCCDC recently sponsored the Hunter Research Foundation's, Smaller and Smarter Cities International Symposium. The conference brought together a line-up of 30 expert speakers and panellists sharing national and international perspectives for addressing the opportunities and challenges facing major, non capital cities here and overseas. The keynote speaker shared his perspective on growing and developing regions and their cities.

HIA Hunter Housing Awards

HCCDC was pleased to sponsor the Affordable Housing and Specialised Housing categories in the recent HIA Hunter, Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom awards. Congratulations to all the winners, we were pleased to be part of such an important industry event.

Newcastle Writer’s Festival

Through the Revitalising Newcastle program, HCCDC supported a major cultural sponsorship with core funding support for the 2018 Newcastle Writers Festival.

The Writers Festival attracted thousands of people into the city centre for a highly acclaimed series of cultural and creative events for all aspects of the community.

The Festival aligned with Revitalising Newcastle’s ‘Still open for business’ campaign.

University of Newcastle - 5th year architecture program

HCCDC continued its support of the University of Newcastle, with sponsorship of its 2017 end-of-year exhibition, fortynine | fiftyone. This support extended the existing educational relationship with the University’s Master of Architecture program and provides an opportunity for the masters students to network with the property sector in an informal capacity.

Neon New Year

Through the Revitalising Newcastle program, HCCDC supported NCC’s Neon New Year’s Eve event by providing the Market Street Lawn event space and contributing funds for a family fun zone activation.

Entertainment in the space was free for the community and included the illuminated labyrinth, an accessible sensory zone, a wishing tree for New Year’s resolutions, lighting projections, lantern making activities for the kids, and the ideal spot to watch the fireworks.

Property Council of Australia - Hunter Chapter Corporate Partner 2018

HCCDC supported the Hunter Chapter of the Property Council as a corporate partner in 2018. The support provided marketing and public relations exposure to a wide range of professionals in the NSW property sector. HCCDC supported the Hunter Chapter to enable the local community to hear about the NSW Government’s Newcastle and Hunter programs focused on economic development, new jobs, homes and public spaces for the community

Newcastle Music Festival -
Music on a Plate series

Through the Revitalising Newcastle program, HCCDC supported the Newcastle Music Festival’s ‘Music on a Plate’ series of lunchtime concerts.

The lunchtime events activated businesses located in the city centre during light rail construction. The events were supported by Revitalising Newcastle, as they aligned with the program objectives of bringing people back to the city. The concerts were a new and highly successful addition to the Music Festival program, with both events selling out.

‘Next City’ Vanguard Conference

The Vanguard Conference is an experiential urban leadership gathering of the best and brightest young urban leaders working to improve cities across sectors, including urban planning, community development, entrepreneurship, government, transportation, sustainability, design, art and media.

The Newcastle Vanguard conference was the first to be held outside of North America.

Refer to previous years Annual Reports for information regarding earlier sponsorship recipients.

Annual Report PDFs

To be considered, you MUST follow the following steps: