PTA Director René Kouwenberg receives award
René Kouwenberg (63) has been presented with the Frans Banninck Cocq Medal in connection with the announcement of his retirement as Director of Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA). Kouwenberg will retire on 1 January 2019.
The current PTA Director received this prestigious award from the City of Amsterdam today by order of Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema on the nomination of aldermen Kock (Economic Affairs) and Meliani (Art and Culture). The award was presented by Rik Torn, Chair of the Executive Committee (presidium) of the Amsterdam City Council. The presentation took place at the annual Captains Cocktail, a networking event for enterprising and cultural Amsterdam that was developed under René Kouwenberg’s leadership.
René Kouwenberg received this honour thanks to his 18 years of service as an ambassador for the City of Amsterdam, during which time he has placed the city on the map as a hospitable city and attractive cruise destination. Kouwenberg was furthermore a cofounder and member of the board from the inception of the Prinsengracht Concert, which has now developed into a leading event attracting nationwide attention.
The Frans Banninck Cocq Medal is presented to people who have, through their professional position, made an outstanding contribution to Amsterdam in the cultural, social or economic field at a national or international level for at least ten years. The award bears the name of the former Amsterdam mayor and captain who appears in Rembrandt van Rijn’s painting The Nightwatch.
About PTA
Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) is the organisation located in the building by the same name situated on the Amsterdam IJ harbour and Piet Heinkade. PTA coordinates the efficient processing of cruise ships and receives their passengers. Some 300,000 passengers are received each year. With three different decks on three levels in a transparent building with views of the IJ harbour and the city, the terminal is also an exceptionally suitable venue for events. The building and organisation facilitate events ranging from dinners for 500 guests to parties for 2,000 people. Passenger Terminal Amsterdam is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Havenbedrijf Amsterdam NV. More information is available on www.ptamsterdam.nl.