BT Convention Centre Hosts City's First Party Political Conference

26 Feb 09

LIVERPOOL'S BT Convention Centre is to host the Liberal Democrats' main autumn conference, it is announced today.

It will be the first time the city has ever staged one of the main party political conferences.

More than 4,000 delegates will descend on the King's Waterfront venue in 2010 for the conference, which takes place in September (18th-22nd).

The Liberal Democrats chose the BT Convention Centre for their spring 2008 conference and the venue has since proved an appealing prospect for political events, playing host to this month's cabinet meeting and Gordon Brown's speech at last year's North West Regional Development Agency conference.

Jacquie Rogers, General Manager of the BT Convention Centre, said: "We're absolutely delighted that the Liberal Democrats have chosen to return to Liverpool for their autumn conference.

"Hosting high profile political events like this helps maintain our national and international profile following the success of our culture year."

The BT Convention Centre is ideally located for high-security events of this nature, being effectively surrounded by water on three sides.

Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said: "Following last year's conference in Liverpool we were keen to return to this wonderful and vibrant city and are delighted to be working again with the excellent team at the BT Convention Centre.

"The Liberal Democrats have strong ties to Liverpool and the North West, having run the City Council since 1998 and with a Lib Dem MEP for the region."

Liverpool's Liberal Democrat Council leader Warren Bradley said: "This is a real landmark business win, not just for the BT Convention Centre but for the city itself.

"For Liverpool to secure one of the main party political conferences is fantastic news for the city and proves we are now competing at the highest level for convention business."

The event is the latest in a series of high profile conferences for the Convention Centre, including the cabinet meeting in January, the British Council of Shopping Centres conference and the TUC Annual Congress which takes place in September this year.