THE creative team behind the Liverpool Pavilion is providing a wow factor to pull the audience in.

But the all-important detail of the city’s key messages is being brought together under six strategic themes, headed by leading figures in their sector.

Each has a month-long focus within the pavilion, although all themes will be delivered throughout the six months. They are:

May: gateway to the North-West, ports and airports, led by The Mersey Partnership’s director of operations, Mark Basnett;

June: advanced technology and science, led by Sarah Tasker, consultant and former chief executive of Liverpool Science Park;

July: culture, health and sport, led by Liverpool City Council’s executive member for enterprise and tourism, Cllr Gary Millar;

August: the knowledge sector, led by Prof Kelvin Everest, the University of Liverpool’s director of academic affairs for China;

September: professional services, led by Professional Liverpool chief executive Mark Chadwick;

October: urban regeneration, led by Nigel Lee, planning manager at Liverpool City Council.

The professional services sector is targeting the 5m international visitors to the Expo.

Mr Chadwick said: “It’s all about the brand, it’s about saying Liverpool is a place that is open for business.

“The sector’s key messages had already been identified through work with the Northwest Development Agency over the last 18 months.

“Liverpool is a genuine centre of excellence for asset and wealth management firms – it’s a distinguishing feature from other regional cities,” he said.

“Liverpool can be considered to be a very, very good alternative to the other cities.

“With London pulling out, people are coming to us and saying ‘we were planning on doing this with London, can we work with you instead?’.