As part of the launch programme for the new Exhibition Centre Liverpool, a total of 15 exhibitions have so far been confirmed.
The latest addition to ACC Liverpool, which is currently home to the BT Convention Centre and the Echo Arena, has secured a range of events ahead of its opening in September 2015.
The line-up includes public shows such as: the Ultimate Christmas Fair; Toytopia; Dualco Antiques and Collectors Fair; Bliss Wedding Shows’ The Liverpool Wedding Show; Girls Day Out; MCM Expo; The Allergy and Free From Show North; and the Telegraph Cruise and Travel Show.
Tim Banfield, commercial director of the ACC Liverpool Group, said:
“We have more than seven years’ experience as Liverpool’s largest events venue, bringing everything from the MTV Europe Music Awards to the Labour Party Conference.
“With the addition of Exhibition Centre Liverpool, we will be able to bring exciting exhibitions to the region for the first time – as well as supporting larger national and international conferences – and will be the UK’s newest destination for trade and public shows.
“It is terrific news for Liverpool as, in our first year alone, we are expecting to host about 40 events, attract more than 150,000 visitors and generate an extra £20m in economic impact for the city region. We are also building a new upscale Pullman hotel on site.”
In addition to consumer exhibitions, Exhibition Centre Liverpool will host concerts for up to 6,000 people standing, expanding on the standing capacity of Echo Arena. It will feature a glazed atrium with waterfront views as well as food and beverage outlets, multiple meeting rooms, external balconies, an exhibition area and a business centre.
Exhibition Centre Liverpool will also include an integrated 216-room Pullman hotel, which is taking bookings from January 2016. Both will be connected to the arena and convention centre via a pedestrian link bridge, making the venue the only purpose-built interconnected arena, convention and exhibition centre in Europe.