Since January, Liverpool, England has welcomed several high-profile international congresses. ACC Liverpool and Liverpool Convention Bureau commissioned a report showing that about 20,000 delegates visited the city during this period.
The European Society of Biomaterials conference, held at ACC Liverpool this September, attracted more than 1,000 delegates with an economic impact of £1.8million (U.S. $2.9m). Forthcoming internationals include EuroLabFocus and the European Society of Surgical Oncology, both taking place in October.
“Liverpool has had a successful year with a number of international congresses, aside from those which were held as part of the city’s 50-day global business event the International Festival for Business. At ACC Liverpool alone, we have many more in the pipeline, such as UNI Global Union due in 2018. We have a further eight potential events, which we have submitted bids for. If these all confirm, they will generate a further £22 [million] (U.S. $36m) in economic impact for the city region,” stated Kerrin MacPhie, director of sales, ACC Liverpool.
ACC Liverpool is home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena and its newest — Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
Other venues in the city boasted events, such as the Public Administration Conference UK and Teaching Public Administration Conference USA at the Foresight Centre, the University of Liverpool, and the International Conference on Sensing Technology (Liverpool John Moores University).
With factors such as accommodation, retail and social events, the economic impact of these congresses is estimated to be around £39 million (U.S.$63m).
“As well as congresses from the UK, the potential of the international market is huge for us,” stated Emma Bellis, head of Liverpool Convention Bureau, Marketing Liverpool. “While we have made some great progress in recent years, we know there’s much further potential to grow this market – especially with the opening of Exhibition Centre Liverpool next year. There is a lot of interest in Liverpool in the U.S., and people are already familiar with the city because of football and The Beatles, so we’re really targeting that market as the next step.”
Liverpool’s success on an international stage prompted ACC Liverpool’s commitment to build a new exhibition center. The number of major international events is set to rocket with the opening of Exhibition Centre Liverpool next year which will double the facilities for high-profile international congresses.
“The addition of Exhibition Centre Liverpool to our existing facilities will enable us to host larger international congresses and exhibitions and is part of the city’s plan to continue to develop on an international stage. Therefore IMEX America will be a key opportunity for us to update the industry about all the exciting things happening in the region,” added MacPhie.
Liverpool will look to stimulate further growth in the international market when it attends IMEX America next month. As well as a dedicated zone at the VisitEngland stand (2816) and a ‘Beatlemania’ event at the Euro Party on the show floor on Oct. 15, the team is also hosting an exclusive evening reception at Madame Tussauds complete with a Beatles tribute act for a select group of guests. Team Liverpool is also inviting visitors to a story time when they will tell the ‘Liverpool Story’ at 1.30 p.m. from Oct. 14-15.
IMEX America is a large meetings tradeshow in the U.S., which is seen as a key market for Liverpool’s international growth. Indeed, ACC Liverpool appointed an American specialist, Peter Berry, to develop inquiries and business from the States.
