Liverpool to host TUC Annual Congress 2009
14 Feb 08One of the highest profile political events in the UK – the TUC annual Congress – is to be held in Liverpool for the first time, it is announced today.
The event will be held at ACC Liverpool, home of the BT Convention Centre, on 14-17th September 2009.
Around 750 delegates will attend the event, which in previous years has provided a podium for Prime Ministers, as well as senior government and trade union speakers. Almost 3,000 visitors, media and exhibitors are also expected to attend the Congress, which will have an estimated economic impact of almost £2 million in Liverpool.
ACC Liverpool is a £164m project on the city's world heritage waterfront, which opened in January 2008 to co-incide with its year as European Capital of Culture.
The BT Convention Centre houses 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 Echo Arena Liverpool has 10,600 seats, hosting major entertainment and sporting events.
TUC General Secretary, Brendan Barber, in announcing that Liverpool had successfully attracted the TUC to Liverpool, said "It will be good to bring Congress so near to where I was born and brought up; and we’re looking forward to linking-up with such the strong trade union tradition of Merseyside, as well as building on the spirit of Capital of Culture 2008".
Keith Faulkner, TUC Senior Events Organiser, said: "We conducted a vigorous search for the best location for the TUC 2009, and were impressed with ACC Liverpool right from the beginning.
"The BT Convention Centre provides an accessible and sizable site for the TUC's requirements.
"The Liverpool events team have been very positive in accommodating our needs and we anticipate a successful Congress in 2009. The TUC will certainly look to return to Liverpool in the future."
City Council Leader Warren Bradley said:
"Welcoming the TUC to Liverpool in 2009 will be a great opportunity to showcase Liverpool's landmark venue to a wide international audience.
"The TUC's choice of Liverpool is a resounding stamp of approval for ACC Liverpool and the BT Convention Centre. Hosting the Congress will play a part in maintaining the momentum of Liverpool's regeneration and help keep Liverpool firmly on the map."
Jacquie Rogers, General Manager of the BT Convention Centre: "The TUC annual Congress is one of the UK's highest-profile events and it's fantastic that it’s coming to Liverpool.
"Since 1868 the TUC has been held in a number of different cities in the north and south of the country, including Brighton since 2003, so this is a tremendous win for Liverpool."
Other organisations bringing their events to the facility include the British Chambers of Commerce, the Royal College of Nursing and the British Society of Rheumatologists, who have signed up to hold their conferences at ACC Liverpool until 2014.
ACC Liverpool's partners are Liverpool City Council, Liverpool Vision, English Partnerships, the European Objective One programme and the North West Regional Development Agency.