ACC Liverpool ranked at number two in UK

16 Sep 07

ACC Liverpool has come second in a major survey of UK convention centres – despite not being open yet.

The convention centre, on Kings Waterfront, was ranked higher than the NEC in Birmingham, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow and all the major London venues.

15 of the country’s biggest convention centres were tested by a team of ‘mystery shoppers’ on all aspects of service, including the manner and approach of staff, the handling of enquiries and how an enquiry was followed up.

Warren Bradley, Liverpool City Council Leader said: ‘This is a fantastic vote of confidence for Liverpool and for the convention centre team who are working so hard behind the scenes.’

Jacquie Rogers, Convention Centre General Manager, said: ‘ACC Liverpool has yet to open but has already attracted scores of high profile events, from the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference to the AGM of the Royal College of Nursing.

‘Of course, we have a world class facility in a stunning location to sell to these organisations – but this survey proves that we’ve also got one of the best teams in the UK working hard to do so.’

The survey was conducted by a leading independent research company, Business Development Research Consultants (BDRC), and is published next week in Meetings and Incentive Travel magazine, which is read by the country’s leading event organisers.

It ranked ACC Liverpool second on overall service performance, behind the winners East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham. It scored a total of 61.2 points, compared with a UK average of 46.7.

The survey, which took place in late May and early June, involved each venue receiving three separate enquiries with varying sales scenarios and then being rated on over 40 service criteria.

The Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool is a £146m project on the city’s famous King’s Waterfront, which will open in January 2008.

The convention centre will have 1,350 seats, a 3725 sq metre multi-purpose hall and 18 further meeting rooms offering complete flexibility. Total exhibition space is in excess of 7000 sq metres. The adjoining Liverpool Echo Arena will have 10,600 seats and will play host to major entertainment and sporting events.

Kings Waterfront is the single largest development site in Liverpool city centre. A partnership of Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, national regeneration agency English Partnerships, the North West Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the European Objective One Programme.

For more information, contact Jane Wolstenholme at Factory Communications on 07983 649 747; email jane@factory-pr.co.uk