Exhibition Centre Liverpool secures number of new and returning events that will bring more than £262,000 visitors to the city, generating an estimated £24m. Tony McDonough reports

ACC Liverpool has secured a number of new and returning events to Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

These events are expected to bring 262,000 visitors to Liverpool city centre and generate an estimated £24m for local businesses such as hotels, restaurants and bars. ACC Liverpool, which also includes the M&S Bank Arena, is owned by Liverpool City Council.

In November the inaugural Nursing Live conference will welcome thousands of nurses from across the country. It will combine professional and personal development elements with lifestyle and entertainment content.

Rachel Armitage, managing director of RCNi, organiser of Nursing Live, said: “It’s fitting that 160 years on from when the Liverpool Training School for Nurses first opened its doors on Dover Street, the inaugural Nursing Live is set to be hosted in the city.

“We’ve had fantastic support from the venue and also organisations across the city including the Mayor’s Office, hospitals such as Alder Hey and The Walton Centre.”

Other events include the first The Ultimate Show car exhibition, functional fitness event ATHX Games, the Liverpool Cat Extravaganza, Pokémon Regional Championships, Laces Out! trainer festival and Oktoberfest Liverpool.

In addition to new forthcoming shows, a number of events have signed multi-year deals to return to the venue.

Can You Dance? recently signed a new two-year deal for the Can You Dance? Super Convention to remain at the venue.

This event is the UK’s biggest touring dance convention with 200 masterclasses and 100 international exhibitors.  It takes place in the venue in October and will return for the next two years.

A host of international stars will take part in the venue’s largest consumer event – Comic Con Liverpool – in October. They include Helena Bonham Carter, Shameik Moore and Gwendoline Christie.

The May 2024 edition will be the biggest ever Comic Con Liverpool and will take place across the entire campus – the adjoining M&S Bank Arena and convention centre as well as the exhibition centre – welcoming 40,000 enthusiasts.

Colm Graham, exhibition, partnerships and hospitality manager of ACC Liverpool Group, said: “Organisers, exhibitors and sponsors are excited to be bringing their events to us, from those coming to us for the first time, to events returning over many years. 

READ MORE: City to offer 15-year vision for Liverpool waterfront

READ MORE:Businesses clamour for spot at Labour Conference

“The variety of our forthcoming programme showcases the vibrancy of our campus and what we can offer.

“Liverpool has untapped consumer profiles for launch opportunities and, with the help of our in-house ticketing platform TicketQuarter, we are delivering the audience numbers that organisers expect.”