An agreement has been signed between The Mersey Partnership (TMP) and ACC Liverpool that could help to generate millions to the local visitor economy.
The two organisations have invested in the development of the Liverpool Convention Bureau, which is run by TMP and plays a key role in supporting ACC Liverpool and other conference venues to attract events and conferences for the benefit of the City Region.
Liverpool has witnessed a steep rise in business tourism since ACC Liverpool opened to national and international acclaim last year.
With the help of investment in the Liverpool Convention Bureau it is hoped that even more bookings will be generated and create revenue for the region's leisure, tourism and retail sectors.
This signing comes shortly after the announcement that the Labour Party will be holding their main autumn conference at ACC Liverpool in September 2011, which will be the largest ever conference held in the city.
TMP and ACC Liverpool have worked closely together over the last few years to target key conferences. Successes have included the Association of Chief Police Officers, the 2009 UK Cabinet meeting, the confirmation of the Liberal Democrats Spring Conference in 2010 and Labour Party Conference.
During the first year of ACC Liverpool being open over 730,000 people attended events with an estimated economic contribution of £200million
The Liverpool Convention Bureau will promote the city region as a conference destination and develop bids to target potential conference business nationally and internationally.
It will also provide additional services to conference organisers to incentivise them to bring their event to us including accommodation bookings, dinner or reception bookings and an online delegate registration service.
Liverpool Convention Bureau, which also receives funding from the Northwest Development Agency, the European Regional Development Fund and membership subscriptions promotes and provides services for wider City Region conference venues and destinations.
TMP is now seeking to recruit a new manager to run the Liverpool Convention Bureau.
Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership, said: "We intend to provide a first class service that ultimately ensures business tourism generates significant income for the city region. This additional investment in the Liverpool Conference Bureau by ACC Liverpool will enable us to market the destination even more effectively and to attract even more events to the city region."
Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool, said: "Many forward looking cities across Europe are seeing business tourism as a tool to lever in investment and deliver economic impact. They have used their conference bureau as an international sales force and the creation of the Liverpool Convention Bureau enables us to compete in the European Meetings Industry and stand out as an international convention location".
ACC Liverpool is home to the BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena.
Image: Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of The Mersey Partnership & Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool
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