HARD hats and high visibility jackets were removed at Liverpool’s new waterfront convention centre yesterday, as it opened its doors for the first time to conference delegates.
The imposing glass building- part of ACC Liverpool welcomed budding entrepreneurs for Voice 08, an event to promote social enterprise.
The conference is bringing in 8,000 visitors over two days to the city and events such as these are expected to generate around £60m in economic impact to the Liverpool city region in 2008 alone.
Delegates will be the first to use the BT Convention Centre’s 3725 square metre multi-purpose hall on its lower floor.
The upper floor, featuring three auditoriums and 18 breakout rooms, will be fully completed and open in April.
The completion of the centre will mark the start of a new multi-million industry for Liverpool, with conference delegates arriving in the city from organisations as diverse as the British Chambers of Commerce, the Royal College of Nursing and the Association of Chief Police Officers.
The event yesterday featured a fair-trade fashion show, a conference for young social entrepreneurs and a range of performances celebrating Liverpool’s year as European Capital of Culture.
Claire Dove, CEO of Blackburne House and chairwoman of the Social Enterprise Coalition, who have organised the event, said: “It is wonderful to be here in my hometown for this conference, particularly during its year as European Capital of Culture.
“The transformation Liverpool has undergone in the last 20 years is remarkable, and social enterprise has played a significant part in its renaissance. Š
“The green credentials of the city’s magnificent new waterfront venue, fit well with our own values, making the choice for Voice08 even easier.”
Speakers at the event today will include Rt Hon Hazel Blears MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Government and a video link message from Prime Minster Gordon Brown will be shown.
General Manager at the ACC, Jacquie Rogers said: “This is a world class venue and the space is so flexible, we can offer delegates exactly what they want.
“It can be split up in many different ways, for example today we have used part of the arena space.
“During the evening the entrance hall space will also be used for drinks functions and the view is spectacular. We are so happy with the finish and the glass roof adds such an atmosphere.”
Kerrin MacPhie, head of international sales at the centre added: “We can now compete with such cities as Barcelona and Brussels and have the advantage of Liverpool’s reputation across the world.
“It is a very famous city and people who have wanted to host events here but did not have a place to do it can finally have their wish.”
lizawilliams
