Arena gets rave reviews before doors have opened

Sep 15 2007 by Jessica Shaughnessy, Liverpool Daily Post

LIVERPOOL’S new arena and convention centre has been named the second best in the country – four months before it has even opened its doors.

ACC Liverpool, on Kings Waterfront, was ranked higher than Birmingham’s NEC, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow and all the major London venues in a major survey.

Mystery shoppers assessed 15 of the country’s biggest convention centres on behalf of a leading independent research company, Business Development Research Consultants (BDRC).

Last night, leader of the Liverpool City Council Cllr Warren Bradley said: “This is a fantastic vote of confidence for Liverpool and for the convention centre team who are working so hard behind the scenes.”

The venues were tested on all aspects of service, including the manner and approach of staff, the handling of enquiries and how an enquiry was followed up.

It ranked ACC Liverpool second on overall service performance, behind the winners – East Midlands Conference Centre, in Nottingham. ACC Liverpool scored a total of 61.2 points, com- pared with a UK average of 46.7.

The results will be published next week in Meetings and Incentive Travel magazine, which is read by the country’s leading event organisers.

ACC general manager Jacquie Rogers said: “ACC Liverpool has yet to open but has already attracted high-profile events, from the Liberal Democrats’ spring conference to the Royal College of Nursing AGM.

“Of course, we have a world- class facility in a stunning location to sell, but this survey proves that we’ve also got one of the best teams in the UK.”

The Daily Post revealed the Liberal Democrats conference would take place in Liverpool during the city’s Capital of Culture year last month.

The contract to host the nursing convention was won earlier this year after representatives from the Royal College of Nursing were reportedly “bowled over” by the quality of facilities. More than 800 nurses will come to the city for the event in October next year.

Major organisations from across the globe have been attracted to the £146m facilities, and ACC Liverpool already has dozens of confirmed bookings.

It will play host to next year’s World Firefighter Games and managers have promised a string of top-class music acts.

The ACC will also host the opening ceremony event for 2008.

jessicashaughnessy