Sarah Barratt has been appointed the chair of the new Liverpool Visitor Economy Network Board (LVENB), which held its inaugural meeting at the offices of Liverpool Vision on Wednesday 16th September.
Sarah, who is director of marketing at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, will lead the board in conjunction with Marketing Liverpool. It comprises a number of experienced figures from within the city who committed to representing the LVEN in its entirety with a clear focus on collaboration, customer centricity and cohesive market growth.
This new board, dedicated to continuing the growth of Liverpool’s visitor economy, has been established following the change in arrangements between the LEP and Marketing Liverpool, which came in force on the 1st July 2015.
Whilst the LVENB is in addition to those currently operating in Wirral and Southport, the focus is on streamlined activity to strengthen Liverpool as the attack brand. As chair, Sarah will represent Liverpool on the City Region Visitor Economy Board that is chaired by Sara Wilde McKeown.
Sarah Barrett said:
“I am delighted to have the opportunity of working with so many dedicated professionals, all of whom have the one intent of seeing Liverpool’s Visitor Economy continue to grow and prosper. Since 2008, the visitor offer within the city has grown at an incredible pace, most recently highlighted by the opening of Exhibition Centre Liverpool.
“However we have much work now to do to ensure that we continue to seek out and develop new markets, bringing increased demand to match the exciting supply and attracting new product that will position Liverpool as a truly international city. The work we have recently commissioned to establish a strategic plan for growth will assist us greatly in achieving this.”
Sara Wilde McKeown, chair of the Liverpool City Region Board said:
“Liverpool is the ‘attack’ brand, and we know that the more successful the city is, the more opportunities are created for the rest of the city region. The creation of the Liverpool Visitor Economy Network Board and the appointment of a dynamic professional like Sarah will help provide Liverpool with a focus as to how it continues the phenomenal growth that it has experience since 2008.”
Chris Brown, director of Marketing Liverpool said:
“Liverpool has been on a great journey of growth and the development of new product that has completely transformed the city’s offer, making it a compelling one for both domestic and international visitors. However we now face another challenge, which is about sustaining demand for the supply that has been created and developing our welcome experience to one that is of the same standard as the great European cities like Barcelona. The creation of the Liverpool Visitor Economy Network Board under the leadership of Sarah is a positive step towards addressing that challenge.”