USPs
The fastest growing city outside London, Liverpool’s regenerated waterfront and extensive selection of museums and galleries – more than other UK city outside the capital – the city is becoming a magnet for MICE business.
More than five million delegates headed to ACC Liverpool in 2016, Europe’s only interconnected arena, conference and exhibition centre, which was voted the best UK Conference Centre for the fifth time in a row in 2017 at the M&IT Industry Awards.
Liverpool’s reputation as a leading conference destination is reflected in the latest ICCA rankings. Moving from 10th to joint sixth in the UK, the city also improved its world ranking position from 198th to 119th, keeping it on track to achieve its target of securing a place in the top 100 global destinations for international meetings.
While cultural attractions abound, the city is additionally renowned for its expertise in space technology and astrophysics: Liverpool John Moores University recently won a bid to host the European Week of Astronomy and Space Science at ACC next year, with around 1,200 delegates expected to attend.
VENUES
ACC Liverpool – situated on the waterfront, ACC houses the BT Convention Centre, with auditorium seating for 1,350. Hall 2 provides pillar-free space with room for 1,800 for a banquet. The Echo Arena features 22 hospitality boxes, while the Exhibition Centre Liverpool offers 8,100 sqm of space including eight flexible meeting rooms.
Rum Warehouse – part of the 153-room Titanic Hotel, this former rum warehouse has more than 1,200 sqm of space and seating for 1,400 delegates over two levels; floor-to-ceiling glass windows deliver great dockside views.
Anglican Cathedral – the largest cathedral in the UK features four meeting spaces. The main cathedral can host gala dinners for up to 1,000, receptions for 3,000 and concerts for 2,000 pax. Smaller parties can consider The Well, which can host up to 300 for dinner.
University of Liverpool – the Guild of Students, which recently received a US$18m refurbishment, can host 900 delegates in its main plenary space and up to 350 for a formal dinner. The Victoria Gallery & Museum can host up to 230 in its tiered Leggate Theatre.
CONNECTIONS
Liverpool John Lennon Airport – serving 4.8 million passengers in 2016, it flies to a large number of European airports including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Paris and Geneva. The airport has ambitious plans to extend its range of destinations and grow passenger numbers to 7.8 million by 2030. It hopes to expand the terminal building, extend the runway, and increase the number of hotels, retail, and F&B options.
EXCURSIONS
Magical Mystery Tour – this two-hour trip takes in the Fab Four’s childhood homes, schools and colleges, places immortalised in songs including Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields, and the Cavern Club, where the band were first spotted by manager Brian Epstein.
The Mersey – see the city’s most iconic buildings in this 50-minute trip Mersey Ferries River Explorer Cruise, including the Albert Dock, Anglican Cathedral and Wallasey Town Hall and the St John’s Beacon, the city’s tallest building, which stands at 138 metres.
Anfield Stadium tour – Five-time European cup winners Liverpool are on the ascent again, with a top four finish this season. The stadium tour includes great pitch and city views while the club’s interactive museum, the Liverpool FC Story, features a special collection of memorabilia donated by former captain and Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.
