Over eighteen months since its opening in January 2008, the Echo Arena has firmly established itself as a reputable venue for almost any event, but it’s the BT Convention centre that’s winning the awards.

The stunning waterfront Arena and Convention Centre cost 160 million pounds to build which came from a number of local sources including Liverpool Council who provided 20 million pounds.

The ACC was unveiled in feat of celebrations in an opening ceremony and officially open to the public by The Queen and Prince Philip on the 22nd May.

In 2009 and 2010 alone the Arena played host to a number of exciting acts, ranging from Bob Dylan to
WWE Wrestling, giving Liverpool the chance to show like other major cities such as Manchester and Birmingham, that they too can host major events.

It was the BT Convention Centre however that sealed ACC Liverpool, the governing body of the Arena and Convention Centre, two accolades at the recent Northwest Tourism Awards indicating excellence in sustainable and business tourism.

Human Resources Manager, John Barry, at ACC said: “The financial benefits of having Conferences in Liverpool at the Convention Centre is fantastic, were by local businesses profit from thousands of guests from around the world arriving throughout the year.”

The economic impact of ACC Liverpool last year was 200 million pounds, of which 150 million of that came from the revenue of the BT Convention Centre alone.

Mr Barry also puts much of the ACC success down to the convergence of the arena and centre: “It’s the only one of its kind in the United Kingdom, giving Liverpool much more flexibility and functionality, meaning we can hold a whole array of major events such as the MTV Awards.”

The convergence of the two has meant over two thousand people could sit down to a formal meal in the Convention Centre whilst the main ceremony was taking place in the Arena, firmly staking the ACC’s attempt to be not only the biggest in the Northwest but the best.

The success of the Echo Arena is without doubt, raising Liverpool’s profile as a modern prosperous city, but during a period of economic uncertainty, it is the BT Convention centre creating over two thirds of the ACC’s revenue, creating much needed business for the entire of Liverpool when it has needed it most.

Related websites