Conference News Supplements Binder1 | Page 12

12 Liverpool he company ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre, Echo Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool, Pullman Liverpool hotel and TicketQuarter, delivered a turnover of £25.8m, compared to £17.2m for the previous 12-month period. Figures are based on audited accounts for the year ended 31 March 2017. During the same period, 258 events took place, attracting more than 660,000 delegates and visitors. The company claims a total of £204m in economic benefit was generated for the city region, bringing the overall economic impact since the complex opened to more than £1.4bn. Conference highlights for last year included the Labour Party conference and international congresses such as the Union World Conference on Lung Health and the European Association for International Education. Meanwhile entertainment performances at the complex included Sir Elton John, Little Mix and Strictly Come Dancing. Exhibition Centre Liverpool hosted 25 events including the International Results business at ACC Liverpool The ACC Liverpool Group has reported its highest annual turnover since opening in 2008. www.conference-news.co.uk Business Festival and The Allergy and Free From Show. The latest results for the group also showed an improved trading profit and an operating loss of £582,000, after adjustment for the impact of the company pension scheme. Bob Prattey, chief executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “The financial year 2016–17 was a year of rapid expansion… This was in part due to the first full year of trading for Pullman Liverpool and Exhibition Centre Liverpool, coupled with strong performance and growth in our existing markets. “We are forecasting a further increase in revenues as we continue to expand our business and host major events. The operating loss of £582,000 we are reporting for 2016–17 masks an improved underlying trading performance and we expect this to continue to improve during the current year 2017-18.” Recent developments including the launch of The Liverpool Collection Lounge in September 2017, a new mezzanine floor constructed inside the arena concourse which has been transformed into a hospitality space with spectacular views across the waterfront.