Echo Arena 5

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HIGHFIVE CELEBRATING 5 YEARS OF ECHO ARENA SUCCESS

What makes the Arena so special Pages 6-7

A look at all those really bPagesig shows 10-13

Capital of Culture celebrations

Pages 4-5

From empty car park to a true city treasure Pages 2-3

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

2-3

ACC Liverpool goes from idea to reality

4-5

The official opening

by HM Queen

6-7

Tales from behind the scenes

8

Day in the life of a conference

9

Day in the life of a big concert

10-11 12-13

The really big shows - part 1 The really big shows - part 2

14-15

ACC Liverpool in numbers

16-17

What we love about the ACC

can we 18-19 How sell the city? does the 20-21 What future hold?

Liverpool 22-23 ACC guest book

Words by Jade Wright and design by Richard Irvine

From derelict docks to symbol of city’s rebirth A

CC Liverpool stands at the heart of the development of Kings Waterfront, an award-winning cultural marker next to the Grade I listed Albert Dock complex and World Heritage Site on the eastern bank of the River Mersey.

The 10,600 seat Echo Arena is joined to the BT Convention Centre by a central Galleria – the only arena and convention centre under one roof in Europe.

The Echo Arena opened in January 2008 with the launch event for Liverpool’s hugely successful European Capital of Culture year and has since played host to a string of international events, including the MTV Europe Music Awards, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, Cirque du Soleil and Davis Cup tennis, plus concert performances from Elton John, Bob Dylan and Beyoncé.

It began as a germ of an idea.

The biggest acts and the best conferences weren’t coming to Liverpool because there was nowhere to house them. But building an arena and convention centre was always going to be risky – and expensive.

After years of debating the possibilities, in 1999, Liverpool Vision became the country’s first urban regeneration company. Set up by Liverpool City Council, English Partnerships and the NWDA, Vision’s 2000 Strategic Regeneration Framework created a masterplan to guide the redevelopment of the city centre – creating a competitive economy, a world class tourist destination and improving the city’s image.

Kings Dock – part of Liverpool’s south docks system, became redundant in 1972. The masterplan identified Kings Dock as a potential site for a world-class leisure and entertainment facility,

TAKING SHAPE: The new building can be seen behind the layers of scaffolding

GROUNDWORK: Project Director Peter Roberts near the proposed stage area in the Arena

enhancing the waterfront and reconnecting it with the city centre.

A team of architects, planners, engineers and other

specialists was assembled – public exhibitions and workshops helped refine the plan and a planning application for what would become ACC

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

EARLY DAYS: George Howarth MP and members of the parliamentary group for Capital of Culture

HIGH LIFE: The shape of the new building can be seen on this aerial photograph taken in March 2006

WORK IN PROGRESS: The cranes gather on the site next to the Kings Dock

FIRST LOOK: Chief executive Bob Prattey stands on the seating area GRAND UNION: ECHO editor Alastair Machray (right), with Tim Banfield, celebrate the partnership

Liverpool was approved in 2004.

Kerrin MacPhie Director of Sales ACC Liverpool, has been involved from the beginning.

She says: “I was involved in the

initial feasibility study about nine years ago and spoke to clients about their needs. At that point we could never host their events but we asked ‘if we had the convention centre would you come to Liverpool?’

They said yes.

“We started to focus on the association businesses because associations book years in advance - so we just got in there as the window opened for their decision to hold their conference in 2008.”

In early 2005 funding approval was confirmed and contractors appointed. June 2005 saw the start of infrastructure works and the main contract began in October of that year. The total cost of the completed project – including the piazza, multi-storey car park and site infrastructure – was approximately £164m.

Chief Executive of Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool, Bob Prattey, says: “I came on board a couple of years before

we opened, so I was lucky enough to be involved in the planning phases.”

Even in the earliest stages the significance of the Kings Dock site and its proximity to the World Heritage Site played a part.

A low level building was created to maintain the picturesque frame of the Liverpool waterfront, including Pier Head’s Three Graces and the city’s two cathedrals.

Award-winning architects Wilkinson Eyre interpreted a sensitive maritime theme in their plans, with the finished structure designed to look like a butterfly landing on the water.

ACC Liverpool opened its doors in January 2008, hosting the Opening Ceremony for Capital of Culture Year. The dream had become a reality, and some of the biggest stars and the most influential companies in the world were booking in events and conferences at the spectacular new facility.

IN June 2007 it was ● announced that the Liverpool ECHO newspaper

EMPTY: The derelict car park that was to become ACC Liverpool

was to give its name to the city’s spectacular new waterfront arena.

Speaking at the time, Liverpool Echo Editor Alastair Machray said: “The people of Liverpool have wanted an arena for years and we are delighted the ECHO will be a part of it.

The Liverpool Echo Arena is one of most exciting developments in the city’s recent history and it will bring huge economic and cultural benefits to Merseyside.

“This deal links the UK’s best local newspaper with a venue which is already on course to become a world leader in the entertainment industry.”

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL HOME TOWN: Ringo Starr brings the ECHO Arena alive at the Capital of Culture celebrations

WAH: Pete Wylie performs

HOMEGROWN TALENT: Riuven

Power to the people L

IVERPOOL’S Capital of Culture year started in style with a dazzling launch show at the new ECHO Arena.

Liverpool: The Musical – The Greatest Story Ever Told traced the story of Liverpool past, present and future in 100 minutes of high-energy music-led

ALL TOGETHER NOW: Peter Hooton from the Farm

CLASSIC: lead singer of Echo and the Bunnymen Ian McCulloch

performance – with a Beatle thrown in.

The kickstart singing of Rule Britannia, Jerusalem and Land of Hope and Glory led into montages depicting cockroach-infested tenements, the grinding poverty and the fightback of tens of thousands of ordinary people from the bombardment of war and

the collapse of industry.

It was a joyous celebration of re-spun prosperity, devised by Nigel Jamieson and Liverpool post-punk queen of retro Jayne Casey, which placed the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and its conductor, Vasily Petrenko centre stage. More than 70 musicians stacked up on six levels and

provided the backing for all that followed.

Celebrities spotted in the crowd included Kenny Dalglish, the actors Joe and Paul McGann with friend David Morrissey, and Ken Dodd.

Alongside the crowds were the world’s media, with hundreds of journalists from across the globe reporting on the

action, including Americans, Iranians and Argentineans.

Scotland Road-raised Connie Lush, five times winner of best UK blues vocalist, was rightly afforded two spots, and Toxteth hip-hop rapper RiUvEn with the aptly titled This Is How We Do It In The LIV also performed.

There were contributions

Royal seal of approval for arena

ROYAL VISIT: Her Majesty The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh officially open ACC Liverpool IN May 2008 Her Majesty the Queen learned about Liverpool’s Capital of Culture programme when she officially opened the ECHO Arena.

There was a carnival atmosphere as the Queen, dressed in powder pink, and

the Duke of Edinburgh arrived at the waterfront Arena and Conference Centre Liverpool site in bright sunshine.

Young drummers from the city-based BeatLife percussion troupe entertained the Royal couple and a crowd of more than 150 who gathered to see

their arrival.

The royal party also passed a Liverpool FC-decorated model of the Superlambanana, one of more than 100 in the city that summer as part of the GoSuperlambanana initiative.

The Queen and the Duke

were presented to the High Sheriff of Merseyside Judith Greensmith and the Lord Mayor that year, now Walton MP Steve Rotheram.

They were introduced to ACC Liverpool chief executive Bob Prattey, who escorted the Queen.

After watching culture displays they were guided into the arena’s glass-walled outer concourse for a view of the Albert Dock and River Mersey. The Queen then unveiled a plaque to mark the opening of the arena and BT Convention Centre.

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL |FULL HOUSE: Liverpool The Musical

STAR TURN: Connie Lush

HARVEST FOR THE WORLD: Garry Christian

STAGE IS SET: The Liverpool Welsh Choir

from Jennifer John and her Sense of Sound choir, as well as the massed voices of the Liverpool Welsh Choir.

Pete Wylie, Garry Christian, Echo and the Bunnymen and Shack represented Liverpool’s musical success, with LIPA graduates The Wombats showcasing the newer element.

Peter Hooton and The

BEHIND the scenes the team at ACC Liverpool had worked around the clock to get the arena ready for its official opening.

Tim Banfield, commercial director of ACC Liverpool, says: “It was probably the best night of my career, to that date and beyond. My wife was crying because she knew how much effort had gone in by everybody to get that place open.

“The opening week was interesting. Like any venue, we had teething problems. There were people putting in 22 hour days to make sure everything was perfect.

“The week before, we invited 3-4,000 people on site just to see how it worked. We had problems with the lighting, with our radio system, that whole thing from a venue operation point of view was a total disaster, and then we sat down and reviewed it all. During the preceding week we also had CBeebies on, and we built the set for the opening ceremony and built CBeebies in front of it.

“You plan and plan and just have to deal with what’s in front of you. especially with something of that

Farm brought the arena to its feet with their anthem Altogether Now just in time for Ringo Starr.

Yes, once a Beatle, always a Beatle, he sang With A Little Help From My Friends and Liverpool I Left You But I Never Let You Down.

As Ringo put it - “good music always comes out of Liverpool”.

Farm frontman Peter Hooton said: “It has been fantastic for Liverpool. It was brilliant from start to finish. When Ringo did Power to the People it was amazing. And there was the Philharmonic like Celebrity Squares in all that scaffolding. I had tingles running up and down my spine. It was just stunning.

“Before the show Ringo came into our dressing room to say ‘hello’. We’ve all hugged a Beatle now.

We’ve sung with a Beatle too. And that’s even better.

“But I did say to Ringo ‘lose the earring. Then you can be a Scouser again’.”

Ian McCulloch, singer of Echo and the Bunnymen, performed

How we made it happen scale. But you know when they say it was all right on the night?

“Do you know what? That night was superb. And it got the arena off to an amazing start. The teams constantly surprise me. They turn things around in incredibly tight timescales – not just meeting but beating their deadlines. I'm very proud to work alongside such a talented group of people.”

It was a night that will last long in the memories of the team who

made it happen in the venue.

Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool says: “The highlight for me is still the opening of The Capital of Culture.

“We were so fortunate that our opening coincided with the Capital of Culture. They were two distinct projects that came together. When the city said it wanted to open in the ECHO arena it all fell into place. We couldn’t have wished for a better opening night.”

Nothing Lasts Forever with the Philharmonic Orchestra.

He said after the show: “It was great. I loved it. At one point, during the first verse, I thought my legs were going to go. It wasn’t nerves. It was just this great weight as I looked out. But yes, the night, the whole thing, it was beautiful.”

CELEBRATE: The Wombats

MAKING IT HAPPEN: Chief Executive of ACC Liverpool Bob Prattey

SCHOOL’S OUT: Phil Redmond speaks to the crowd at the Capital of Culture celebrations

In its first year alone, more than 665,000 visitors headed for more than 200 events at ACC Liverpool, generating £200 million for the local economy and £30 million of positive global media coverage.

Echo Arena Liverpool sales manager Ian Congdon says: “The success of 2008 really put us on the map and generated a lot of confidence for the city, the region and the venue itself.

“There were lots of different

types of events from all types of marketplaces – from concerts to comedy and family events to sporting events and broadcasting special events.”

Bob adds: “There were so many stand out events in that first year.

The MTV Awards gave us that global platform right from the start. Then for me, as an avid sports fan, a real high point was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.”

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL BIG FAN: Francis Rossi of Status Quo loves to perform

Stars on magic of the Arena

"I bet everyone tells you that they ● love playing Liverpool? Well, none of them mean it like I do. I've played so many

venues in Liverpool over the years, and I love the place. It's a lot like Glasgow, maybe that's why I've always felt an affinity with Scousers. I loved the tent they had for the Summer Pops, and I was a bit worried that the atmosphere, but the ECHO arena bettered that. It’s the most amazing place to play.”

Jim Kerr, Simple Minds

“WHEN I heard the name I thought ● there might be an echo – that it was some kind of clue to the sound – but it

was a great place to play a gig. Just the right size, that great Liverpool crowd, and not an echo to be heard.”

Francis Rossi, Status Quo

TARGET: Bono at the 2008 MTV awards at the ECHO Arena but it’d be great to see him with U2 on stage “I love Liverpool. I’ve always had ● such a good time there. It’s a music city, you guys just love to sing, so I can’t

help but feel at home. Playing at the ECHO arena reminded me of one time I played in Liverpool and Paul (McCartney) and George (Harrison) came to see me. It was when The Beatles were at their height, and I loved their music, so that was just wonderful. They were so quiet and polite – real gentle souls. I always loved coming to play in England. The crowds would always go mad. I hope it’s always the same.”

Gladys Knight

“It’s a great night for Liverpool, it’s ● going well so far. The arena here is great, it’s certainly the best in Liverpool.”

Ringo Starr

M

ILLIONS of people have enjoyed ECHO arena shows, and that’s due in no small part to the work that goes on behind the scenes to bring the shows to the city and to make sure the big acts keep coming back. It’s a big job, but one that Tim Banfield, commercial director of ACC Liverpool, relishes.

“We sell space and we sell tickets,” explains Tim. “I like selling tickets. In a lot of ways you’re only as good as your last ticket sales – you have to keep selling tickets month on month, year on year, to give the promoters confidence to bring their shows here. If we don’t sell tickets the shows won’t come.”

Liverpool is often credited as being one of the best audiences for bands to play to.

Are there specific

genres that always draw the crowds?

“The indie, pop and urban acts sell really well in Liverpool,” says Tim. “The rock acts are more difficult here. If you look at a city like Nottingham, they find that rock is their best seller. You always have slightly different nuances in different areas, because the audiences like one thing over another.

“There are other factors that come into it. Sometimes on a purely commercial level we might not get a certain show, but the act wants to play

DRIVING FORCE: Tim Banfield, Liverpool ACC general manager

Liverpool so they choose us over somewhere else.

“The feedback we get is always very positive. Acts and promoters say that the ECHO arena is a nice size of venue.

It still feels intimate, even in the furthest seats. I sometimes watch shows from the very back to see how it comes across, and you still have a good view of the stage, the sound is still good wherever you are.

“You only have to see the repeat business for the ACC to see how popular it is with the arena acts and with the conferences.”

The team at ACC Liverpool make the most of their unique location.

“There’s no doubt that having the Albert Dock and Liverpool One on our doorstep enhances the visitor experience,” says Tim. “People use the Albert Dock as an extension of the arena concourse. They might have a meal beforehand, or go there for drinks afterwards. It’s good for the local businesses

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

What is the secret of the success? and it’s good for us.

“The feedback we get from delegates is fantastic. They love coming to Liverpool because it has so much to offer and the people are so friendly.

“The location really helps.

There have been occasions where I’ve been walking along the piazza when the sun is going down over the Mersey and it’s just oozing class. It looks fantastic.

“The city is really finding its feet as a destination. The challenge for us is to keep getting the events in.”

Like many of the team, Tim has been at ACC Liverpool from the beginning.

“The opening week was interesting,” he chuckles.

“Like any venue, we had teething problems. There were people putting in 22-hour days to make sure everything was perfect.

“The teams constantly surprise me. They turn things around in incredibly tight timescales – not just meeting but beating their deadlines.

The operations people are our unsung heroes.

“The friendliness of the staff shines through at every point. The feedback we get from delegates and arena guests is how friendly the team here are – the stewards, the cleaners, everyone.

“That makes a huge difference in people choosing to come back. We can’t underestimate the support that the arena gets from Team Liverpool helping to sell tickets and bring conferences back here.”

The first five years have seen big changes – what will the next five hold?

“On the ECHO arena side we need to keep the big acts coming in,” says Tim. “We continue to punch above our weight and compete for major events.

“On the conference side we have to keep our eye on our core business, making sure we look after them.

“We are looking to break into the international conference market. We have

had national and European conferences, now we are also looking further afield.

Liverpool can compete on a global scale. We are putting things in the diary for 2016, 2018, 2025.

It’s a busy time for us.”

And how about the bands?

Tim replies: “There are still bands I’d love to see play here – U2, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel – they would normally only play stadium gigs, but you can never discount the Liverpool factor.”

WANTED: Bruce Springsteen would be very welcome at the ECHO Arena

Emma is three millionth visitor to ECHO Arena

GOLDEN NIGHT: from left, Stephen Haigh, Alicia Keys and Emma Haigh WINNING SMILES: from left, Olivia Brown, Nicola Roberts, Annie Davidson, Lorraine Taylor and Jake Brown ECHO arena Liverpool reached another landmark in its fifth birthday year when it welcomed its three millionth customer.

Singing sensation Alicia Keys marked the occasion by presenting Emma Haigh with a Golden Ticket.

The ticket entitles Emma, from Crosby, to two tickets to 10 events of their choice over the next 12 months.

Emma, 34, says: "I was so surprised when I was approached by ECHO arena staff telling me I was the three millionth customer.

"I was excited about watching Alicia Keys in concert but getting to meet her was the icing on the cake of an already fabulous day.

I'm a huge fan of Alicia, and a regular visitor to the arena, so receiving the Golden Ticket made the event all the more special."

Tim Banfield, commercial director of ACC Liverpool says: "This year is particularly special for us as we celebrate our fifth birthday. We want to thank

CONGRATULATIONS: Sir Cliff Richard presenting the golden ticket to Dorothy Krelle, right, the millionth visitor with her niece Ann Ranson, left

all our customers who have supported us and who have come to events since we opened in 2008.

"Welcoming our three millionth visitor is another important milestone for us.

We look forward to opening our doors to many more people and rewarding our fourth millionth customer in the future."

The millionth visitor received a Golden Ticket awarded by Sir Cliff Richard, who was performing at the arena for the first time, in November 2009. In June 2011 Girls Aloud singer Nicola Roberts congratulated the two millionth visitor at Radio City Live.

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL GREAT NIGHT: Tulisa at the 2010 MOBO awards

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WINNING NIGHT: David Price beats Audley Harrison

BIG NIGHT: Paul McCartney

A day in the life of the ACC

O two days are the same at the ECHO arena. From large scale rock concerts to sporting championships and comedy shows, the space has to work for a huge variety of performers and their audiences.

Ian Congdon, the ECHO arena’s sales manager has been managing the entertainment and events programming since the venue opened in 2008.

“I am responsible for confirming music, family, comedy, theatre, and commercial sporting events at the arena,” says Ian. “I also look after programming for The Auditorium Liverpool, an intimate event space within BT Convention Centre which we launched last year.

“My favourite thing about working at ACC Liverpool is that I get to book the concerts and professional sporting events - working with such a diverse range of clients the work is always interesting.”

It’s also a very demanding task – taking the shows from the planning through to the reality.

“Understanding the requirements and ongoing support needed for each event is critical to their success,” says Ian. “There are many aspects to consider from the first point of contact with clients, making dates available, TOUGH contracting, TASK: Ian agreeing venue Congdon, layouts, production information, developing announcement and promotional plans, selling tickets, meeting expectations and ensuring the delivery of a successful show on the day.

“Once the date has been secured, liaising with event planning, operational, promotions and box office teams is essential to ensure the event is each show happen. delivered to the standard our “Overall the size of the clients expect. The critical team delivering the event on success factor of course is the day depends on the selling tickets and ensuring, capacity and profile,” he says. so far as possible, the “For an ECHO Two 4,000 financial success of every capacity event, approximately event.”

100 staff would be deployed.

Ian works with a big team For a 10,000 capacity full of people who together make arena event as many as 200

people would work the event.

“This includes teams from box office, event planning, operations, security, stewarding, rigging, technical, cleaning, first aid, catering and venue services from both ACC Liverpool and our service partners.

“Some large scale events can bring an additional 100 staff brought in by the production providing production management, technical, lights, sound, crew, catering and transport. An event such as the MOBO

Awards can also involve significant additional numbers once wider production and broadcast teams are confirmed.”

What have been Ian’s favourite events so far?

“Sir Paul McCartney, MOBO Awards 2010, David Price vs Audley Harrison and Kings of Leon,” he says.

The new events spaces will provide the opportunity for even bigger shows at ACC Liverpool.

“The Auditorium Liverpool as an entertainment venue is

already proving positive,” says Ian. “We have already seen a good level of interest in using the space from our existing and potential clients.

“This will also certainly be the case for Exhibition Centre Liverpool. This venue will also have the flexibility and capacity to host large scale standing concerts that would suit some indie, rock and dance acts.”

Does the arena pick the acts or do the acts choose to play at the arena?

“More often than not the

acts go on the recommendations of their management, agents and promoters,” says Ian. “Some artists do have a particular desire to play certain cities and of course most artists know of Liverpool from our fantastic musical heritage.

“We don't always get all the acts who tour, for instance some artists decide only to do multiple dates in major UK cities in larger capacity venues maximising the efficiency of the tour.”

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL Kerrin MacPhie is director of sales for ACC Liverpool, her role encompasses entertainment, conferences, meetings, events, sport and exhibitions across the UK and internationally.

I

T’S a diverse role and one that will always keep me busy,” Kerrin Macphie explains. “The conference, meetings and events sector, referred to as business tourism, which among many things includes multi-day conferences, is a 24-7 industry.

“I deal with clients and colleagues from all over the world – for example ACC Liverpool is a member of the Global Congress Centre Alliance which has members across Australia, South Africa, America and the UK. I often need to make conference calls at any time of the day or night and am thankful for email.”

What does it take to host a successful conference?

“A successful conference has a distinct recipe of ingredients – a city centre conference venue and hotels within walking distance which provide a mix of gradings, from budget to boutique. Of course you need an appealing destination which is easy to get to from a national and a global perspective, a strong client and supplier relationship to support and provide a host of services, and a specialist venue team that understands what the client requires and becomes part of the event, not just a host space.

“We think that the combination of ACC Liverpool and the city really does have it all, and more.”

It’s a big undertaking for the team to make sure everything goes smoothly.

“Based on an average multi-day event for 1,000 delegates, we need a diverse operations team which includes events, technical, health and safety, security, stewarding, traffic marshalling, catering, facilities and maintenance and cleaning and venue services,” Kerrin says.

“There would be around 100 staff working on a standard event of this size. However if the client were to have an evening dinner as part of their event, the number of staff would more than double.

“The sales team are part of this mix and it could be said that when the event is here we have done our job. But, as the meetings industry is one that looks to secure their events for the future, it is vital that the sales team remain a constant in the journey, never losing touch with the client so that once the event is over it can be scheduled to return in the future.”

A big part of the job is attracting new business – often organisations that may not have considered Liverpool before.

“You have to be in it to win it and ACC Liverpool has attended events, trade shows, conferences and organised private dinners all over the world,” says Kerrin. “In Geneva we hosted 23 international conference buyers who are the people responsible for scoping out and placing conferences in venues.

We held a dinner and attended a concert where Vasily Petrenko was the conductor. Vasily joined us post-concert and made the event extra special. Using the city’s attributes is really important to us.

I would love to host a G20 summit here

FUTURE VISION: Kerrin MacPhie Director of Sales, ACC Liverpool “This year I will be travelling to Shanghai for the International Congress and Conference Association (ICCA) of which I am the UK and Ireland Chapter Chair.

“If my suitcase is out of use for even a week it gives me a very strange feeling.”

It can be a long and complex process.

“The bidding process can be as long as six years from start to

winning through to hosting the event, and no bid is the same,” says Kerrin.

“Letters of support are important when bidding for large high profile events and we are regularly asking the Mayor of Liverpool, professors at universities, government ministers and key contacts from the sector that the event belongs to for their help. For example for a nuclear

event we were bidding for we requested support letters from the astrophysics department at Liverpool John Moores University.”

Do the team have any favourite conferences?

“All the events that we host are special as they are all unique and we work with clients who have different styles and requirements,” says Kerrin. “Events that we win after a robust bidding process,

which we then wait for years to host, bring a real smile to my face as it takes me back to the feelings that I had when we won them.

Then you realise how fast the years are rolling by. My mind is never in the current year, it is usually about two years ahead as I look to fill the diary far into the future.

“We love it when we win large conferences and our clients become one of the ACC Liverpool family – which is rather large these days as we are growing at a rate of knots.”

No two days are the same in the convention centre.

Kerrin says: “When the British Medical Ultrasound Society which came to us in December 2008, our then head of marketing was pregnant and she was asked would she like a 3D scan of her baby – which was very touching.

“At the ICCA Congress in Canada in 2009 we were shortlisted for best marketing award and our presentation included a verse and chorus from Yellow Submarine sung by 750 delegates from around the world – they were still talking about it at the following year’s congress.

“At IMEX America in Las Vegas last year we took a John Lennon lookalike with us for entertainment on our exhibition stand as it would have been John’s birthday on day one of the show.

However we couldn’t locate him at first and I called my colleague to inform her that ‘we have lost John Lennon’! When we found ‘John’ and he started performing he brought the house down and there was dancing in the aisles. Needless to say we were told off for the chaos we caused so the show organisers will be closely monitoring us this year.”

The conference centre has achieved so much in five years, but Kerrin and her team still have plenty of goals ahead.

“I would love to host a G20 summit as the venue is ideally located for high-security events – we are surrounded by water on three sides which creates a secure campus site and enables us to lockdown quickly and efficiently if we ever needed to,” she says.

“Every conference is a dream and we are fortunate to say that it is a reality on many occasions that a client comes, they like, and they want to come back – that really is living the dream.”

And the dream is about to become even more exciting, with the opening of Exhibition Centre Liverpool.

“Exhibition Centre Liverpool will open the door to the exhibitions market,” says Kerrin.

“The complex will host national and international trade and consumer exhibitions, concerts and sporting events.

“It will also enable us to host many corporate events and large scale conferences that have grown too big for our current facilities.

The great thing is that that we already have relationships with many of these clients who have confidence in our ability. They know that we will do the same for their larger events.”

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL SUPERSTAR: Paul McCartney at the 2008 MTV awards

The (really) KISSED A GIRL: Host Katy Perry at the 15th annual MTV awards

MTV AWARDS

ROCK STAR: Pink brings the house down

PAUL MCARTNEY FUNNY BUSINESS: John Bishop comes home to the arena

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STARSTUDDED: Madonna appears on stage during a previous MTV Europe Music Awards ceremony in Lisbon. The 2008 awards will be in Liverpool

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And the winner is...

by JADE WRIGHT & TINA MILES

ry legenda NIGHT

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Europe’s top music event heads for city

9ct gold garnet-set necklet

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DREAM COME TRUE: Lionel Richie duets with Rebecca Ferguson on Endless Love in 2012

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Friday, November 7, 2008

LIVERPOOL conquered the a music world as it pulled off at blistering MTV awards show the ECHO Arena.

Last night the city had the lot . . . international stars and coverage, TV worldwide stunningly showcased at the ECHO arena. fans music of Thousands watched the awards ceremony live and an estimated 30 million viewers are thought to have tuned in to watch on MTV’s channels across the world.

Figures are still being calculated, but it is estimated to that the awards generated up £10m in extra revenue for the of city – plus more than £30m free publicity.

Sir Paul McCartney was handed his Ultimate Legend award by Bono, Rick Astley was crowned Best Act Ever and President Obama was hailed the saviour of all nations.

But today there was only one overall winner . . . and that was LIVERPOOL.

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All the winners gossip Backstage The parties Red carpet glamour

By JADE WRIGHT EUROPE’S biggest music event is coming to the ECHO Arena.

Some of the biggest names in pop for will jet into Liverpool next year the MTV Europe Music Awards.

ECHO Arena chief executive Bob the Prattey said: “The eyes of world will be on Liverpool.” ● Full Story – Page 5

JASON Picture: ROBERTS

Pink performs amid a pillow fight STUNNING: American rock diva held at the ECHO arena last night

at the 2008 MTV Europe Music

Awards

Picture: JEFF KRAVITZ/FILMMAGIC

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STRICTLY COME DANCING

STRIKE A POSE: Kelly Brook performs in the live tour of Strictly Come Dancing with dance partner Matthew Cutler

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

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FEATURES

11

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

big shows

BEYONCE

SHOW MEN: Bono takes the stage and, inset right, Kanye West

BACK FOR GOOD: Take That on the red carpet

CAN U HANDLE THIS: Beyonce was a smash hit

FRUIT FAN: Katy Perry on a banana

JUST THE START: X FACTOR Live with One Direction performing

SUMMER HOLIDAY: Cliff Richard performing in 2011

ONE DIRECTION

A MAN plunged more than 100ft to his death from the 13th floor of a tower block yesterday.

The victim, in his mid 30s, was found by shocked security guards at Churchill House in Sandy Road, Seaforth.

Today, detectives dismissed rumours of foul play and said

the death was not being treated as suspicious. The man is believed to have fallen from an open window of a flat on the 13th floor.

The case has been handed to the Liverpool coroner’s office.

Witnesses said he was heard shouting a number of times before he plunged to his death.

Another tenant contacted the emergency services and flat management company One Vision Housing.

A blanket was placed over the victim and a tent erected around him as an investigation was launched.

One resident said: “It’s a huge fall, he didn’t stand a chance.”

LIVERPOOL ECHO ARENA SCENE: Churchill House in Seaforth

It’s the

Revealed: The name of city’s £146m showpiece

THE Liverpool ECHO today pulled off the deal of the century ... to give its name to the city’s spectacular new waterfront arena.

CHEERS! ECHO editor Ali Machray, right, with arena boss Tim Banfield

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The 10,600 seater construction will officially be called the Liverpool ECHO Arena.

The agreement is a fantastic coup for Liverpool, the ECHO and the team behind the £146m arena and convention centre project.

The Liverpool ECHO Arena, one of the most up to date in Europe, is large enough to bring the world’s biggest music, entertainment and sporting stars to Liverpool.

● City’s new era – Pages 4&5

CELEBRATION: Some of the workers who have helped to build the arena

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12 FEATURES

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

★★★★

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL COUNTRY LEGEND: Dolly Parton played to a packed house

The (really) UP IN HERE: Labrinth shows us how it’s done

ALL THE LADIES: Jay Sean with his entourage

DOLLY PARTON COLDPLAY HOTTEST BAND: JLS keeps it up at the MOBO awards

STUCK IN REVERSE: Coldplay performed in December 2008 at the height of their powers

STREET STYLE: Tulisa from N-Dubz sings live

MOBO AWARDS

AIR T Labr stand perfo at th awar ECH

TIME: rinth gave a d-out ormance he MOBO rds at the HO Arena

FEATURES

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

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13

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

big shows - II TEEN HERO: Justin Bieber in February 2013.

ON A ROLL: The BBC Sports Personality Of The Year winner Chris Hoy on stage

BBC SPORTS PERSONALITY ECHO LIVERPOOL

Dummy Edition

FRIDAY, July 25, 2008

Not for sale

MAIN EXTRA

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CULTURE EXCLUSIVE: Coup as ECHO Arena lands 2008 event

CITY TO GET BBC SPORTS AWARDS FULL STORY – PAGE 5

SPIN KING: The Year’s winner Chris Hoy with runners-up Lewis Hamilton and Rebecca Adlington

DARK NIGHT: The ECHO Arena hosted Batman, from left to right, The Joker, Catwoman, Harley Quinn, Batman, Robin (front), The Riddler, The Penguin and Poison Ivy

I battled house fire to rescue my mate

- See Page 7

BIEBER TORRES SPIKES GUNNERS – PAGES 54-55

Branson’s high-flying chief from Walton County Road girl is Virgin boss – Page 10

- See Macca’s £11.99 bargain Page 11

BATMAN

MUSICAL MARVEL: Prof Green lets his lyrics speak for themselves

PROF GREEN

14 FEATURES

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

★★★★

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

‘The complex has brought new life into Duke Street’

THANKFUL: Sapporo Teppanyaki say new life has been breathed into the city Convention Centre “OUR businesses – Il who often return to the Forno and Sapporo city, and Il Forno, for a Teppanyaki based on weekend break with Duke Street – have their friends, partners benefited greatly from or families. the diverse mix of “Sapporo Teppanyaki customers attracted by is known for its group ACC Liverpool, which dining which makes it has brought a unique the first choice for dimension to the city’s people on night out dining scene. The location of the complex seeing their favourite band or artist at the has brought new life arena to start their into Duke Street as it night with a fun meal. acts as a key link from We’ve seen a significant the City Centre to the increase in large parties Waterfront. of friends and families “From Justin Bieber during the week and through to Il Divo and are always fully booked all the way to when there is a big act International Darts or playing.

Boxing fans, the Arena “ACC Liverpool is a provides entertainment massive asset for the for every different kind city and the business of person and this is community in reflected in Il Forno Liverpool. It provides us during events. Guests with the opportunity to who may not usually contribute to the eat out will ‘make a growing reputation as a night of it’ and start or winning destination – end their evening with with an outstanding a meal with us – and food and drink scene then come back again because they enjoyed it that Liverpool has worked hard to carve so much. out.”

“We also see a lot of Cassandra Forshaw, groups and individuals head of marketing and in Liverpool for PR for Iliad Group conferences at the BT

Economics 1.3 million bottles of beer 364,000 bottles of wine 816,000 bottles of soft drinks 202,000 bags of chocolate 87,000 bags of crisps 84,000 hot dogs

‘When people ‘It’s brought high profile come here they names, businesses and realise what a fantastic city it is’ events to the city’

“ACC Liverpool has already provided a huge boost for the city, and the new exhibition centre will be a further bonus to the city’s hoteliers. It will be fantastic, and I’m sure we will see a big increase in visitor numbers.

“When people come here they realise what a fantastic city it is. So if people come on a conference to the new exhibition centre they will see the shopping, the food and drink sector, how

GENERAL MANAGER: David Hughes friendly the people are.

And once people come in to the city that first time they keep coming back.”

David Hughes, general manager of the DoubleTree by Hilton

“AS soon as we opened the doors of the studio in Liverpool in September Estelle Cartlidge 2012, as the city’s first Bikram Yoga studio, we began Bikram Yogato attract a wealth of practitioners who were attending or taking part in events at ACC Liverpool. From dancers, musicians and bands playing at the Echo Arena to Executives on business at the Conference Centre, they flocked to the studio at a time when local people were still discovering what Bikram was all about.

“Because Bikram is a globally-recognised yoga style, dedicated yogis from all over the world are delighted to be able to continue their practice whilst they’re in Liverpool on tour or at a corporate event and it’s a joy to be able to welcome them to our studio whenever they’re here.

“ACC Liverpool is a truly international entity that has brought high profile names, businesses and events to the city on a new and exciting level. It means a lot to us to be on the ‘to do list’ of so many of these visitors to Liverpool.”

Estelle Cartlidge, Bikram Yoga Liverpool’s studio director

FEATURES

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

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15

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

of success

‘Events raise our profile in the city’ “THE ECHO Arena and BT Convention Centre is a welcome and valued addition to the city of Liverpool generally and Liverpool’s famed waterfront. The Blue Bar and Grill and Pan Am Bar and Restaurant have benefited significantly from the economic impact of the ACC. “From pre and post concert goers, to families attending the many family-entertainment themed events, the arena brings a consistent footfall of business.

“Likewise the Convention Centre’s numerous Conferences have led to a significant

uplift in our bars and restaurants from the multitude of delegates and their families. Besides this consistent stream of business Pan Am has also been able to host parties for a number of the arena’s key events such as the 2008 MTV awards after party, the 2010 and 2012 MOBO after parties and numerous functions for the 2011 Labour Party Conference. Such events not only contribute significantly in revenue terms but also raise the profile of the business in the city and further afield.”

Colin Stuart - managing director, Blackwater Bars

‘It was like the missing piece in the jigsaw’ 28,500 Likes for Echo Arena Facebook page 1.4 million cars have parked on site at ACC Liverpool 1.7 million tickets sold through ACC Liverpool box office 3.3 million visitors and delegates to ACC Liverpool since 2008 1,209 events in five years £164 million to build ACC Liverpool £500 million contribution by ACC Liverpool to the local economy

“WHEN the ACC opened to the public in 2008, it perfectly bridged the gap between ourselves at the Marina and Albert Dock.

It was like the missing piece in the jigsaw, and raised our profile this side of the Waterfront.

“We are investing heavily in Yacht Club Liverpool ready to welcome the new exhibition centre when it opens for business in 2015 and maximise the fantastic opportunity presented by our waterfront partners.”

Adam Franklin, chief executive of Invincibles Catering at Yacht Club Liverpool

‘ACC Liverpool seems to work on a number of levels for us’

“I THINK ACC Liverpool has been a great success for the city.

It seems to work on a number of levels. From our experience it definitely brings in people from the wider north west region who ordinarily would think Liverpool a little too far for a night out. Quite often these guys are driving so like to eat before the shows, which is great for restaurants like us, as getting a good early evening sitting is an added bonus to a busy night.

“The range of entertainment that’s put on is great for the city in that the sheer variety of the types of shows means that young children to grandparents (and all the cooler ages in between) are using the arena. I

used to find (more often than I’d like) an attitude from the 40 -plus age range that they wouldn’t consider going out in the city centre in the evening as they wrongly perceived it as a slightly intimidating place and just for the younger generation.

I think once they come down to the likes of the arena or one of the theatres they get to see how beautiful the city looks at night and that there’s a wide variety of things going on to suit all tastes and that the centre feels vibrant and safe.

“In terms of the conferences that are held these are clearly beneficial to the city as a

whole. Both financially but also as a means to change anyone’s antiquated attitudes to Liverpool. It’s spectacular to have a conference with a city on your doorstep. In terms of direct financial impact on Delifonseca I’m not sure there is much from the conferences.

They quite often have quite a tight schedule with dining events built in and when the delegates do have time to explore I think its clearly those businesses very close to the venue at the Albert Dock and Liverpool 1 that benefit the most.”

Candice Fonseca, owner of Delifonseca and Delifonseca Dockside

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL The team at the ECHO Arena and Convention Centre share their stories about why no two days are the same at ACC Liverpool Rachel Moore, assistant event manager of the Convention Centre MY favourite thing about working at ACC Liverpool is the people. The team make it a great place to work.

My favourite day in the job was when I got to take Jamie Carragher on a venue tour before he held his testimonial Rachel dinner here.

What has Moore been your favourite event? The X Factor Bootcamp 2012. The contestants used every corner of the venue to rehearse. It felt like the Mary Celeste once they all left.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? I would love to see a massive event coming here again like MTV or the BRIT Awards.

A great venue needs a really great team

Tom Lechthaler, head of events My favourite thing would have to be working with some amazing people and meeting different people on a daily basis. No two days are the same and the nature of the job means that you always experience new things and constantly evolve.

Opening the building in 2008 was what I would call the epitome of teamwork – it Tom was hugely satisfying and Lechthaler we were able to establish ourselves very quickly within the industry.

What has been your favourite event? For me it would have to be Labour Party 2011. The nature of the event meant that whilst the pressures were immense, the end result was hugely successful and gratifying. To see something come to fruition that you have worked towards for the majority of a year.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? Organising a high security event like G8 or NATO Defence Ministers would be really challenging and a great accolade for Liverpool and ACC Liverpool.

Katie Chin, event hospitality manager My favourite thing is creating

exceptional experiences for all our VIP Arena Club Class clients.

Striving to offer first class customer service and making the client feel special is what we aim to do.

It’s hard to choose a specific event, however, Sir Paul McCartney’s home coming in December 2011 Katie Chin was fantastic.

The city just couldn’t get enough and the atmosphere was electric.

Fanatical fans travelled from all over the world to experience his home coming. It was a fantastic way to end the year.

What has been your favourite event? The 2008 MTV Europe Music Awards. Being relatively new to the job at this

time I felt this event taught me some tricks of the trade. I not only experienced how to manage a diverse range of VIP clients but I also witnessed the economic impact such an event had on the city.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? Destiny’s Child. After seeing them share a stage at the 2013 Super Bowl, this girl trio can do no wrong. It would have been Michael Jackson. I would have loved him to bring his This Is It tour to the ECHO arena.

John Jones, deputy general manager, Heathcotes at ACC Liverpool I enjoy being part of a unique venue in my home town, which in

turn, is also helping other businesses in the city to thrive.

From my first day I knew I was going to part of something special.

What has been your favourite event? The Royal Institute of British Architects awards dinner (RIBA). The event was filmed live on Channel 4 so food John Jones service times had to be timed to coincide with the television adverts and had to be perfect. Also BBC Sports Personality of the Year was memorable as there was a sit-down dinner for 600 then the room needed to be turned around straight away for an after-show party for 1000 guests

with themed menus from around the world.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? Staging the PDC World Darts Championship Finals.

Robin Cooke, multimedia manager You never know what you'll be doing next, at ACC Liverpool. It's so exciting to have such a varied job and work on so many Robin Cooke high-profile events. There's never a dull day.

The Queen's official opening of ACC Liverpool was my favourite

day in the job. I designed the plaque she unveiled, which made me immensely proud. Graphic Design by Royal appointment!

What has been your favourite event? It has to be Oasis's visit to ECHO arena. I've always been a massive fan, and to have them playing at my workplace was something I never expected to happen.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? All my major favourite bands have played here apart from the Foo Fighters. Let's start a campaign to get Dave Grohl here.

If nothing else, my wife would be very impressed with me.

Pam Carroll, marketing manager I love that every day is different, there is always something exciting

★★★★

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

FEATURES

17

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL Nicky Norman, senior production and technical manager

The people I work with are great – everyone is keen to make each event a complete success for every client that comes through our doors. I also love the fact that every day is different.

The best day for me was the opening of the AIPC (International Association of Congress Centres) congress in July 2010. The technical team put together a fantastic opening performance for the congress in our main auditorium, which included a bespoke opening video made in-house and a fully choreographed dance performance, interacting with VT footage. I had only been with the team for five months, and I was so proud to see what we could do together.

What has been your favourite event? My favourite would be the BBC Worldwide Showcase event which took place in February this year and in 2012 – a great conference for more than 600 international TV buyers, which uses the venue space in a really innovative way.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? There are so many to choose from, but a really high profile TV show such as the Eurovision Song Contest – or maybe Jools Holland’s Hootenanny - would be ace.

Ian Congdon, Arena sales manager

I get to book the concerts and professional sporting events at the venue and working with such a diverse range of clients means the work is always interesting.

Seeing Sir Paul McCartney take to the stage at the end of a world tour was such an honour and a privilege.

But then, one time, a rather high maintenance member of a girl band brought her dog along to a show when they were performing at the venue. As we are always helpful, we agreed to look after her dog as the star undertook an interview in one of our offices backstage. Sadly the dog hadn’t been out for a walk and left us a reminder of why it’s not always the best idea to be so accommodating.

What has been your favourite event?

Sir Paul McCartney, The MOBO Awards 2010, David Price vs Audley Harrison, Kings of Leon.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? Queens of the Stone Age purely for my own music taste – professionally, I would love to secure Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Prince or the return of Beyonce.

Naomi Thomas, purchasing executive

No two days are the same here, there’s always something different happening – the day the Queen visited is one I won’t forget.

One day I walked through our reception to find David Haye sitting there – I then spent the next 15 minutes thinking of every excuse I could to walk back through reception. I think I managed four times before I was rumbled.

What has been your favourite event? Michael McIntyre made me cry laughing - I had tears dripping off my chin! I also loved watching the Andrew Marr show broadcast from the venue.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? With the emphasis on the word “dream” it would have to be Michael Jackson.

going on whether it’s a newly secured conference coming to the city or a headline act performing at the arena. It still gives me a buzz walking through the doors of this iconic venue.

My best day in the job came on March 19 this year when ACC Liverpool was named the Best UK Conference Centre at the Pam Carroll industry M&IT awards ceremony in London. This award had eluded us for many years, but to win it in our fifth birthday year really was the icing on the cake.

What has been your favourite event? The Labour party conference in 2011. The build-up started two weeks

beforehand, and our internal prep had started months before so when the day finally arrived, and the sun was shining on the Mersey, it was such an exciting atmosphere and an event I was very proud to have been involved with.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? I have a secret passion for zumba and I would love ACC Liverpool to host the annual zumba conference.

energy, enthusiasm and sense of humour are infectious.

My first day was in the middle of the MTV Awards build up.

It gave me an immediate sense of what my job was going to be Kevin like – I was Thompson hooked.

What has been your favourite event?

BBC Sports Personality of the Year. I’m a sports nut so I was in heaven.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? The Sixteen.

Kevin Thompson, production manager entertainment and Dan White, head sport of ticketing The people I work with are my solutions favourite part of the job. Their

The amount of fantastic events we work with and deliver on a daily basis is overwhelming – I don’t often get the time to sit back and take it all in, when I do, it really is satisfying.

What has been your favourite event? The MTV Europe Music Awards 2008. After successfully organising our own after-show party for VIPs and sponsors, it Dan White was a very refreshing cold beer with colleagues at 2am.

Also, beating John Bishop and his production’s 5-a-side team something like 10-2 was quite a moment (we’re not the best side in the world). We organised a

match with him during his tour here.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? An audience with Stevie and Carra, re-living Istanbul.

Agota Zirkuli, senior event manager – entertainment and sports Being from the continent and at the time of joining ACC Liverpool in 2007 being new to Liverpool, the welcome, the friendliness, the support that people in general gave me was the best thing that could happen to me.

Also, any day when there is an event on and we can feel the adrenalin rush. When we are all

working together to achieve something fantastic and we see through the realisation of the plans, ideas and thoughts.

What has been your favourite event? I love all the challenging events, because they always push you further and further. The great sensation at the end of the event when Agota Zirkuli you feel that you have achieved something special and something different that you have never done before.

Who or what would be your dream booking for ACC Liverpool? I have a long list that I keep reminding our sales team about…

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Tuesday, June 4, 2013

★★★★

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

Sell the city to the IMMENSE SUCCESS: Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision

Happy 5th birthday!

Hill Dickinson is proud to support the ECHO Arena Liverpool.

To find out about our full range of first-class legal services, visit hilldickinson.com

“Without ACC Liverpool, the city would not have travelled as far as it has”

A

Concessions Management International CMI Limited are proud to be the Official Merchandise Concession partner of Liverpool Echo Arena.

5 years of amazing shows!

Congratulations to the whole Arena Team from all at CMI. Here's to the next 5 years!

CC Liverpool’s facilities are unique in Europe.

The award-winning BT Convention Centre and the 11,000-capacity Echo Arena are interlinked by a central galleria which joins the two venues - the only design of its kind on the continent.

It has meant that the city can host huge events that wouldn’t have been possible anywhere else in the city.

Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision explains: “Not only has ACC Liverpool won a string of accolades in its first five years, it has also hosted large events and conferences, as well as being a regular venue for the biggest music artists in the world.

“At Liverpool Vision it is the first place we think of when holding our own important events and it will play a pivotal role next year when Liverpool hosts the International Festival for

“What ACC Liverpool brings is incalculable and the benefits spread further than the concourse

Business for the UK, which will attract hundreds of thousands of people.”

The venue was a long time in the planning.

Mr Steinberg says: “The

Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre was one of the landmark projects in Liverpool Vision’s Strategic Investment Framework 2001 which would help establish

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

★★★★

world FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHTER STILL: Mayor Joe Anderson

the waterfront both as an international visitor destination and as a place to be enjoyed by Liverpool’s citizens.

“It was a hugely significant

project and it has proven to be immensely successful, providing a massive fillip to the city’s economy, raising our profile and further re-energising the Albert

FEATURES

19

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL The ECHO Arena isn't just home to a host of international music stars, or a sparkly Conference Centre in a beautiful location – it is one of the one of the greenest venues in Europe, specifically designed with the most energy efficient, environmentally-friendly green criteria in mind.

Hundreds of thousands of people visit ACC Liverpool each year - that's often thousands of people in one place at the same time; and all of the bottles, food packaging and cartons they consume. Recycling bins are available throughout the Echo Arena, with three different types of bin, for general waste, plastic cups and paper and cardboard.

Each is clearly labelled so that visitors know what they can put in it.

The venue was designed to produce half the CO² emissions it would normally create and use 20% less electricity - lighting, for instance, is high efficiency and controlled by motion detection.

The building is designed to be more efficient, with an insulation and air control system that requires less energy than a traditional build.

The suppliers and support teams are chosen not just on their service and expertise, but on their environmental ethos too.

Outside, they collect rainwater on the roof which is used to flush toilets, accounting for about 40% of the water used for flushing toilets in the venue; five 20-metre low noise wind turbines on the river side of the venue contribute to its electricity supply.

The Environmental Task Force has led the venue to a string of awards and accreditations, including a Gold Award from the Green Tourism Business Scheme, Sustainable Tourism award in the NorthWest Tourism Awards; Healthy Stadia accreditation; a BREEAM rating of ‘very good’; ISO 14001 accreditation, a Green Apple award for the building; a Green Apple award for ISS’s cleaning & waste services and a C&IT Gold Award for Best Venue for Sustainability and a Green Award at the Exhibition News awards.

Dock.”

The first five years have paved the way for further expansion.

“Its impact on our economy and image is also set to grow

Arena keeps city clean with green power

with the addition of an Exhibition Centre which will help the city to attract even bigger conferences and events,” says Mr Steinberg.

“One of Vision’s strategic

WIND POWER: The wind turbines help provide the Arena with electricity

ambitions is to establish Liverpool as a top international and national investment location and we focus our support on those that promote Liverpool’s global profile and strengthen international trade and commercial relationships.

“The ACC Liverpool does precisely that and without it our job would be harder and quite simply the city would not have travelled as far as it has.”

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson agrees: “One of the big criticisms of Liverpool was that we didn't have a decent place for big conferences to be held.

“Now that we do, what the arena brings to the city is

MOVING FORWARD: Max Steinberg and Joe Anderson are both agreed the city wouldn’t be what it is today without ACC Liverpool

incalculable. And we're now competing with the likes of Edinburgh and Birmingham, and with the new exhibition centre we've got planned we will win an even bigger share of that market.”

The benefits to the city spread much further than the arena concourse, explains the Mayor: “With all those big shows and conferences and exhibitions it means tens if not hundreds of thousands of new people coming into the city and spending in the local economy.”

Does Mayor Anderson have any favourite shows he’s been to at the arena?

“As a member of the board, I do go to the arena quite regularly, but I must admit that in terms of shows I don't often get to that many,” he says.

“But I'll certainly be at some of the great events and conferences and exhibitions that we'll be hosting there and at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool in future.”

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FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

The future looks even brighter with new Exhibition Centre

A

CC Liverpool is about to get bigger and better.

Its new development Exhibition Centre Liverpool – will allow more shows and conferences to take place in the city.

The £40m centre and its integrated hotel will be directly connected to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, via a covered bridge link.

“We’re looking forward to it,” says Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool.

“We have earned our spurs in the UK market, now we want to bid for the European and world markets. As a result of that we need a better exhibition space.

“We have brought £100 million into local coffers.

That’s businesses who can employ local people because they have the money to do that. It’s money that otherwise wouldn’t be here. It

would go to London or Manchester or wherever.

“That’s why we’re planning to build the exhibition centre to develop that potential.”

The new development will be on land near the old customs building.

“They had a masterplan to redevelop that site into residential and retail, but then the economic climate collapsed,” says Bob. “We went to them with a plan to build an exhibition centre.

“We looked at the plans and the best way for us was to have three large exhibition halls, all interconnected.”

International construction company ISG -

ONBOARD: ISG were also responsible for the construction of the London 2012 Velodrome

responsible for the construction of the London 2012 Velodrome – has been asked to deliver the scheme.

Denton Corker Marshall, who designed the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, is architect on the project.

“We’re all very excited about it,” says Bob. “It means we can offer so much more to organisers and delegates.

“We can do standalone exhibitions there, but also concerts, sporting events, big conferences. All of the spaces are flexible. At the moment we can only do standing

concerts for up to 4,000 people, but this will mean we can have 10,000 standing guests. It gives us so much more flexibility in our programming. And it’s all interconnected, all under one roof. There will be a sky bridge with views of the Mersey. We want to make a real feature of that bridge.”

Was this something that was discussed before ACC opened?

“It wasn’t part of the original plan, but over five years it has developed,” says Bob. “Now we can plan in

events that might want to use all of the spaces. We started with the arena and the convention centre, now we also have ECHO 2 and the auditorium. Soon there will be the exhibition centre. It has continued to grow because of its success.”

Bob has been at ACC Liverpool since the beginning.

“I came on board a couple of years before we opened, so I was lucky enough to be involved in the planning and the construction phases,” he says.

“The highlight for me is still the opening of the Capital of Culture. We were so fortunate that our opening co-incided with the Capital of Culture. They were two distinct projects that came together. When the city said they wanted to do their opening in the ECHO

arena it all fell into place. We couldn’t have wished for a better opening night.

“There were so many stand out events in that first year.

The MTV Awards gave us that global platform right from the start. Then for me as an avid sports fan a real high point was the BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

“The Liverpool audience is just phenomenal. I have attended events in arenas around the world and I can honestly say I’ve never known a crowd like ours. You can see it when acts haven’t played here before – they get hit by the wall of sound as the crowd starts to sing along. You see that look on the acts’ faces when they hear that and it’s a great thing. It’s why people come back time and again.”

As well as the arena repeat business, the convention centre, too, finds conferences wanting to return again and again.

“The repeat business is a

★★★★

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

FEATURES

21

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL EXPANSION: An artist’s impression of the new look Liverpool Exhibition Centre and hotel VISION OF THE FUTURE: Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool

BOLD PLANS: The glass walkway between facilities

badge we wear with pride,” says Bob. “That is as much in the convention centre as in the arena.

“You see it with companies like ASDA who normally move around year after year.

They have been here the last three years, because they like how it all works here.

“That isn’t just us as a venue, but it’s about the city as a whole. From the minute they arrive at Lime Street Station to the taxi drivers to the retail and the restaurants.

The city welcomes people.

“We had 800 delegates for the BBC

TRACK RECORD: Architects Denton Corker Marshall also designed Melbourne Exhibition Centre

conference, all buying BBC products. It shows enormous faith in Liverpool to come here. They normally go to Brighton but now they have chosen Liverpool because they know they like it here.”

The venues work with the city, encouraging delegates and ticket holders to make use of nearby businesses.

“It’s a team effort,” says Bob. “We work with the hotels and the bars and the restaurants. There is so much going on and the standard is so high that people want to come here. That gives us the bookends to build our programmes around.

“When we get the big televised events it shines a spotlight not just on us but on the wider city. When

you look at something like X Factor, that involves a package showing off the city as a destination in millions of homes.”

Is there anything that Bob would still like to see ACC Liverpool achieve.

“It has far exceeded our expectations,” he says. “If we can continue to do that, well that’s what gets your head off the pillow in the morning, isn’t it?

“We feel privileged to work in an environment where one night you have boxing, the next night it’s Justin Bieber and then the BBC. We have a team that works all hours of the day to make that happen. It’s a fantastic place to work.”

STARRY NIGHTS: Sir Paul McCartney accepting the inaugural Icon award from Bob

22 FEATURES

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

★★★★

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

2008 January ● ● ● ● ●

Ambassadors Cbeebies No 1's Project Opening Ceremony Supercross

February

● Confetti Brides ● One World Girl Guiding ● Westlife

March

● Cirque Du Soleil ● Rhianna ● Tigers Basketball ● X Factor ● Liberal Democrats Spring Conference ● Your Move Live ● LGA 2nd Sustainable Communities Conference and Exhibition ● Annual Culture Conference ● Merseyside Property Gala Dinner (Newsco Insider) ● Liverpool Chartered Accountants Student Association 2008 Annual Ball ● UKPHA 16th Annual Public Health Forum

April

● Classical Spectacular

● Darts ● World Class Tribute Series ● WWE Raw ● Society of British Neurological Surgeons Annual Conference ● Regional Property Awards Dinner ● NW TUC Annual Conference ● British Pain Society Annual Meeting ● British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference ● British Chamber of Commerce Annual Conference

May

● Backstreet Boys

● British Open Squash ● Dancing on Ice ● Girls Aloud ● Here & Now ● Homes & Gardens ● Playhouse Disney ● Roger Waters ● Shayne Ward ● May NAHT Annual Conference ● The Mersey Partnership Tourism Board & Heads of Tourism meeting ● Celebrate Enterprise ● St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals 4th Annual Hospital Staff Awards Presentation ● AM/Society Health and Development Diploma & PM/Construction & Built Environment ● Liverpool Law Society Commercial Property Conference ● NW Construction Awards ● NYK Group Europe Ltd - Commercial Services Meeting ● RICS North West Awards Ceremony ● The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Congress ● UKISCRS Satellite Meeting ● KMS Mattitude Product Launch ● Children's HIV Association Conference ● The Tourism Awards ● Colour in the Built Environment Seminar ● St Jame's Place Annual Client Conference ● IGAF Worldwide UK & Ireland Conference ● IFPH Conference

June

● Boyzone

● Britains Got Talent ● Broadgreen High ● Green Car Show ● Masters Football ● Westlife ● Three Fellas ● Spirit of Merseyside Awards ● I-Techpartner ● 19th Annual Scientific Meeting - BESS ● PhUse Formula Internet Marketing Seminar ● National Insurance Conference

All that has

Every event at the Liverpool Arena and C

● Eurocities Culture Forum ● Communication Workers Union Annual Conference ● Hermanex Trade Show ● International Equine Colic Research Symposium ● ARMA/INORMS International Conference ● Astronet Symposium ● The Teaching Awards ● Food Northwest Awards ● The European Red Cross First Aid Convention ● Federation of Irish Societies Congress ● ACPO-APA International Policing Exhibition ● Development / Policy Planning Event ● ACPO Procurement Group ● Summer Meeting Association of Chief Estate Surveyors & Property Managers in Local Government ● The Insurance Institute of Liverpool Charity Ball ● British Association of Dermatology 88th Annual Meeting

July

● Beatles Day

● Bill Wyman ● Blondie & The Stranglers ● Crowded House ● Counting Crows ● Deacon Blue ● Def Leppard & Whitesnake ● Diana Ross ● Duran Duran ● Jools Holland ● Meatloaf ● Michael Ball ● Michael Buble ● Mick Hucknall ● Paul Simon ● Sugababes & Bjorn Again ● Australian Pink Floyd ● The Farm ● The Rat Pack ● Be Proud Awards ● 60th Anniversary of Haroldeans F.C. Dinner ● British Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons Summer Meeting ● Lung Cancer Research Conference ● TQS Workshop ● ITC Conference 2008 (International Test Comission) ● National Business Awards ● BRS Supplier Conference ● Chemicals Northwest Gala Dinner ● Green Flag Awards ● NUREC 2008 (Eton Events Ltd) ● Northwest Taxi & Private Hire Trade Exhibition

August

● Liverpool Unites Concert for Rhys ● Scouse Factor ● World Firefighter Games ● Costa Coffee Franchise Association ● VIP and Teams Hospitality ● Fire and Rescue Exhibition and Conference ● Community Safety Conference ● 2008 European Regional Science Association Congress ● Fire Conferences and Exhibitions Annual Fire and Rescue Conference

September

● Disney on Ice ● GB Basketball ● The Body Shop at Home Christmas

Conference ● APPG Visit ● BEVA Congress ● LJMU - TCF Centre Meeting ● British Orthopaedic Association ● European Rotocraft Forum Annual Meeting ● Nuclear Decommissioning ● IAPS Annual Conference ● British Nuclear Medicine Society Annual Conference ● Caldy Grange Grammar School Awards Evening ● Young Directors Forum - From Wasted to Wanted

October

● Abba - The Show

● Bryan Adams ● Echo Fashion Show ● Oasis ● OMD ● Queen + Paul Rodgers ● Steve Coogan ● The Mighty Boosh ● Liverpool Summit pre conf ● India Event ● Merseyside Young Professionals Annual Charity Ball ● Museums Association Annual Conference ● North West in Bloom Award Ceremony ● Marie Curie Annual Conference ● National Football Museum Hall of Fame ● "Advances in Palliative Care: A Combined Approach" Study Day Organised by the Doyle of the Association for Palliative Medicine. ● RIBA ● Iceland Managers Conference ● 5th Annual North West Public Health Conference ● Royal College of Nursing AGM ● NW 2012 Olympics Business Conference ● BOPA Conference ● FPA, BS 9999 Seminar ● RCM - Student Midwives Conference ● Recycle Event ● The National Trust Annual General Meeting

November

● Boxing ● Echo & The Bunnymen ● McFly ● MTV Awards ● Paul Weller ● Wombats ● WaterfrontExpo 2008 Conference & Exhibition ● British Council of Shopping Centres ● The British Gynaecological Society Annual Meeting ● GCIG 2008 Autumn Meeting ● Chartered Institute of Personnel Development ● Sony Company Briefing ● British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Annual Scientific Meeting ● The International Port-Cities Conference 2008 - English Heritage ● Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner ● Autumn Orthopaedic Meeting ● Frontiers of Physics ● British Academy of Audiology Annual International Conference and Expo ● Violent Crime Seminar ● Pan Merseyside Programme Monitoring Committee

● The Centenary Dance for Society of Liverpool Golf Captains

December

● BBC SPOTY ● Coldplay ● Elton John ● Jake & Elwoods Xmas Party ● Kings of Leon ● Steel City ● Stereophonics ● The Zutons ● Vampires Rock Xmas ● DaDaFest Awards Dinner ● Liverpool Lord's Taverners Sporting Dinner ● USS Institutions Meeting ● BMUS Annual Conference and Exhibition ● Liverpool Safeguarding Board Children’s Awards

2009 January

● Supercross ● Cbeebies ● High School Musical ● Strictly Come Dancing ● Lyreco 2009 Sales Conference ● Department for Culture Media and Sport ● Confetti Spring ● Specialist Schools and Academies Trust Annual Art Conference ● British Parking Association

February

● Badminton

● Keane ● Pussycat Dolls ● Darts ● Russell Brand ● Focus 2009 Committee Meeting ● N Power Renewables Annual Conference ● Thanks a Million ● Community Health Partnerships Ltd

March

● Cirque Du Soleil

● Classical Spectacular ● Mickeys Magic Show ● Everton Tigers ● Haymaker Boxing ● Kaiser Chiefs ● Masters Football ● Snow Patrol ● X Factor ● BCSC Shopping Centre Management Conference ● ILL Network Review & Support Meeting ● Duke of Edinburgh Awards ● Hong Kong - Jiangmen Roadshow ● The Primary Languages Show ● Annual European Serious & Organised Crimes Conference ● Universities & Colleges Information Systems Association ● IOSH Annual Conference & Exhibition ● Antal International UK HR Seminar ● Institute of Travel Management ● British HIV Association Annual Conference ● The Waterways Renaissance Awards

April

● Lionel Richie ● Pink ● WWE ● Association of Teachers and Lecturers

● British Transplantation Society and Renal Association combined Annual Congress ● Community and District Nursing Association Bi Annual Conference

May

● Al Murray

● Blue Man Group ● Bob Dylan ● Eric Clapton ● Girls Aloud ● Here & Now ● Sustainability Conference ● Working with Drug Users in Primary Care ● Christian Aid ● Neuro Anaesthetic SocietyASM ● Black Mental Health Conference Achieving Race Equality in Mental Health Services ● EURAM Conference ● ACB Focus 2009 ● The Association for Clinical Biochemistry - Focus 2009 ● Royal College of Psychiatrists Annual Meeting

June

● Boyzone ● Britain’s Got Talent ● Girls Aloud ● Mersey Masters ● Once in a Lifetime ● Performance of a Lifetime ● Redeeming our communities ● War of the Worlds ● The NHS Confederation ● Physical Education and Sports Strategy in Liverpool BSF Programme ● Welfare to Work UK Convention 2009 ● The Mersey Partnership Annual Tourism Awards 2009 ● British Maternal and Fetal Medicine Society 13th Annual Conference ● ABN Scientific Meeting - (Association of British Neurologists) ● Olive 360- roadshow DSGI ● BMA - Annual Representative Meeting 2009

July

● Australian Pink Floyd ● Beatles Day ● Deacon Blue ● Gloria Estefan ● James Morrison ● Jools Holland ● McFly ● N-Dubz ● Petshop Boys ● Pussycat Dolls ● Rhydian ● Sharleen Spiteri ● Simple Minds ● Simply Red ● Squeeze/Pretenders ● The Pogues ● Leoanard Cohen ● Ne-Yo ● Cynergy Events ● British Academic Conference in Otolaryngology ● Dunelm Mill ● SPPR Directorate Away Day

August ● ● ● ● ●

Australian Pink Floyd Marching Bands Walking with Dinosaurs FEL 09 CASE Europe Annual Conference 2009

September ● Davis Cup ● Handball ● Masters Football ● Michael Ball ● Bridion (Sugammadex): The Latest advance in reversal of neuromuscular block ● ELRIG: Drug Discovery Group 2009 ● Trade Union Congress ● European Healthy Stadia Conference ● Calday Grange Grammar SchoolAwards evening ● Mersey Basin Campaign Annual Conference ● Association of Anaesthetists of Great Britain and Ireland ● New Technologies in Dry Eye 2

October

● Barry Humphries Dame Edna

● Cliff Richard ● Gladys Knight ● Everton Tigers ● Tom Jones ● The Nolans ● Pink ● Spandau Ballet ● Eddie Izzard ● Frank Warren - Boxing ● Nursing & Midwifery Council ● BSE Annual Conference ● Transport Symposium 18 ● Tourism Srategy Launch ● LARAC Conference 2009 ● North Mersey NHS Clinical Summit ● ICEM '09 ● The Green Power Forum ● CSP Congress 2009 ● Chartered Institute Of Management Accountants (CIMA) ● BSEC North 09 ● BWEA's Annual Conference & Exhibition ● National Legal Trade Exhibition ● Envirolink Northwest Technical Workshop: Building Controls

November ● WWE

● Andrea Bocelli ● Artic Monkeys ● Backstreet Boys ● Beyonce ● Bob the Builder ● Eddie Izzard (01.11.09) ● Kasabian ● Morrissey ● Muse ● Princess Wishes ● TSU Conference 2009 ● Liverpool Software City International ● Annual Northwest Equality Conference 2009 ● Bob the Builder ● NHS Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme ● The Vascular Society AGM 2009 ● 3rd MCRN Annual Conference ● PCI Live @ Liverpool 2009 ● British Academy of Audiology Annual Conference 2009 ● Transforming Learning through Creativity and ICT

December

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Thriller Live Yusuf Islam UB40 Lily Allen Abba The Show Russell Howard Shankley Show (CC)

FEATURES

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

★★★★

23

FIVE YEARS OF ACC LIVERPOOL

gone before

Convention Centre over the last five years ● Everton Tigers ● Passenger Focus Board Meeting ● CTA Leisure

2010 January ● ● ● ● ● ●

Nickel back Strictly Come Dancing British supercross Holiday on Ice LYRECO ABPCO

February

● Everton Tigers v Worcester Wolves ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Kelly Clarkson X Factor 1 & 2 England Netball Lady Gaga Everton Tigers v Glasgow Rocks RS2010 - Part 1 Consultation Event Liverpool Medical Students Ball Liverpool Shared Streets

March

● Classical Spectacular ● Elvis In Concert ● Star Wars ● Frank Warren ● Tiesto ● The Four Tops & The Temptations ● Katherine Jenkins ● Cesar Millan ● Three Classic Fairy Tales ● To tweet or not to tweet ● SCTS Annual Meeting and Cardiothoracic Forum ● Regional Future Jobs Fund ● FMS Business planning workshop ● The Duke of Edinburgh Award Merseyside awards ● CILT, The National Centre for Languages ● In Control Partnerships - The Big Event ● HSE CD Away Day ● HSE Nuclear Directorate ● Equality & Diversity Seminar ● Liverpool Little Stars....Getting Families Active. Celebrate The Year of Health & Wellbeing 2010 ● British Society of Gastroenterology Annual Meeting ● GoPlaces; Built Environment Pupil Conference ● Everton FC 25th Anniversary Dinner ● ESD in 2010: the next 5 years ● National Union of Teachers Annual Conference 2010

April

● WWE Raw

● EFPA Champions Cup ● Premier League Darts ● National Association of Head Teachers ● MCI Board Meeting ● ASGBI 2010 ● TUC Black Workers' Conference ● Harm Reduction 2010 - IHRA's 21st Anniversary Conference ● Britspine - Mr Pillay ● Clinical Negligence Conference 2010

May ● Kiss ● ● ● ● ● ●

John Bishop Westlife Rihanna Michael Buble Cirque Du Soleil Leona Lewis

● PIANC MMX ● 1st Annual Conference for custody and sexual assault nurses ● British Dental Association ● Royal college of Ophthalmologists Congress ● Retina Day

June

● Mamma Mia ● Once in a Lifetime ● Britain’s Got Talent ● Liverpool Supersing ● The College Finance Directors Annual Conference ● 2010 HART Conference ● The Mersey Partnership Annual Tourism Awards ● GMLPF-AGM ● The NHS Confederation Annual Meeting ● BWEA Offshore Wind 2010

July

● Jackson Browne ● APF ● Mersey Masters ● Crosby, Stills and Nash ● Status Quo ● Beatles Day ● Jools Holland ● Rod Stewart ● Zappa Plays Zappa ● CESI - Welfare to Work UK Convention 2010 ● Annual Conference and General Assembly - AIPC ● Kumon Education - Annual Conference ● JAMfest Europe ● National Rail Conference ● Symposium Mammographicum 2010 ● EUREF Update on Quality Control in Digital Mammography ● Liverpool Unites In Dance

August

● Radio City Live ● Game on 2010 Basketball

September

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

British Handball Four Nations Women's Handball International Baccalaureate Conference Security solutions for the Public Sector.

Cystic Fibrosis Nursing Association Cystic Fibrosis Trust Medical Conference Liberal Democrats

October

● Mersey Tigers v Cheshire Jets ● Mersey Tigers v Worcester Wolves ● Mersey Tigers v Guildford Heat ● MOBOS 2010 ● Mersey Tigers v Plymouth Raiders ● Mersey Tigers n Essex Pirates ● The Essential 80's Charity Ball ● National Association of Pension Funds Annual Conference ● 7th International Conference of the Hospital Infection Society ● CSP Congress 2010 ● ISSOTL

November ● Dr Who ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

OMD A Question of Sport WWE Lord Of The Dance Paramore Voice in a Million Amateur Boxing

● World Netball Series ● Mersey Tigers ● Here Comes the Girls ● 2nd One Day Translational Symposium in Head & Neck Oncology: The Emerging Role of HPV-16 In Head & Neck Cancer ● Travel Counsellors ● National Osteoporosis Society ● BSIR Annual Meeting 2010 ● LARAC Conference 2010 ● Aorfix Focus Group ● European Showcase ● National Cancer Research Institute Cancer Conference ● Improving Quality & Productivity in the NHS Collaboration-Research-Innovation ● Britain's Got Talent 5 ● NHSE ACE 2010

December ● JLS (2 x shows)

● Mersey Tigers v Worcester Wolves ● X Factor Homecoming ● The War of the Worlds ● Paul Weller ● Lennon Remembered ● Diversity ● Championship Boxing ● Mersey Tigers v Leicester Riders ● Frankie Boyle ● John Bishop ● Xmas Extravaganza ● ACT TravelWise Autumn Conference 2010 ● Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner ● British Society for Immunology ● Davis Langdon LLP

2011 January ● Famous and Fearless ● ● ● ● ● ●

Mersey Tigers British Pink Floyd Strictly Come Dancing JLS Usher Lyreco Sales Conference

● ● ● ● ● ●

Alexandra Burke Russell Howard Supercross Boyzone Usher GSK Primary Care National Conference

February

March

● Disney on Ice

● X Factor Live ● Justin Bieber ● Classical Spectacular ● Live the Dream ● The Script ● Australian Pink Floyd ● Elbow ● Westlife ● Katy Perry ● McFly ● Primary language School - Desouza agent ● The X Factor Series 8 ● IPARADIGMS EUROPE LIMITED ● JISC Conference 2011 ● Federation of Small Businesses ● IRM Global Risk Management Professional Development Forum ● The Duke of Edinburgh Award annual meeting ● An Audience with Frank Field MP Networking Breakfast hosted by Medicash

● British Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology (BSCCP) Annual Scientific Meeting

April

● Mersey Tigers v Glasgow Rocks

● Mersey Tigers v Sheffield Sharks ● WWE ● Peter Kay ● Darts ● Harlem Globetrotters ● Disney Live - Mickeys Music Festival ● Unison Healthcare service group conference ● Royal College of Nursing ● ATL Conference 2011 ● Disney Live! Mickey's Music Festival

May

● Tim Minchin

● The Monkees ● British Geriatrics Society ● ACT Annual Conference ● Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Health ● THE MERSEY PARTNERSHIP - Tourism Awards 2011 ● Ministerial Speech

June

● John Bishop

● Radio City Live ● Britains Got Talent ● Mersey Football ● Here and Now ● JamFest ● Liverpool Aortic Symposium IV ● First Unite Rules Conference ● Metal on Metal HIP Implants ● Delivering Better Health Services ● NHIVNA ● British Association of Urological Surgeons ● RenewableUK offshore wind event ● National Rail conference

July

● Brit Floyd ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Jools Holland Brit Floyd Gymnastics Boxing Deacon Blue British Uro-Oncology European college of sports science Liverpool Unites in Dance

August

● Dolly Parton

September ● Batman Live

● Labour Party ● British Equine Veterinary Association

October

● Judo ● Snoop ● Rihanna ● Paddy McGuinness ● Jason Manford ● Boxing ● Katy Perry ● Cliff Richard ● Alan Carr ● Vampires Rock ● Tinie Tempah ● GEC Schools competition Launch ● World Congress of Enterestomal Therapists ● CSP Congress ● Association of Business Schools

● Royal College of GPs annual primary care conference

November

● Lee Evans ● WWE ● Arctic Monkeys ● Bill Bailey ● Cheerleading ● Netball ● Bryan Adams ● UK Dementia Congress ● NCRI ● Improving Quality and Productivity in the NHS ● The Pan Dental Society Conference ● NHSE ACE ● Life convention and Exhibition ● Baby Friendly Initiative Annual Conference ● British Society for Microbial Technology ● BGT

December

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Radio City Live The Saturdays Kasabian Quofest Duran Duran Paul McCartney British Pink Floyd ITI Congress UK and Ireland BSI Congress UK PIN 2011

2012 January

● One Direction ● Snow Patrol ● Lyreco Sales Conference ● Department of Health - Children, Families and Health Inequalities

February

● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

Strictly Come Dancing Phillipine Basketball All-stars Olly Murs The Wanted X Factor Live Tour LJMU Sports Presentations Four Juridstictions Conference General Medicines Liverpool Thank Heaven BBC Worldwide Annual Showcase

March

● APF ● JLS ● Commitments ● Rebecca Ferguson ● Disney ● Four Tops ● Joe Bonamassa ● Harlem Globetrotters ● Global Entrepreneurs Congress ● X Factor open and call days ● Intuit Financial Fitness Bootcamp - GEC Fringe Meeting ● EUROCITIES-Economic Development Forum ● Virgin Media Pioners Lunch ● Sport Relief Registration

April ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ●

CBeebies Steps Il Divo Diversity Drake NKOTB & BSB Darts Boxing

● ● ● ● ●

ACT 2012 The Duke of Edinburgh Awards British Pain Society Dinner British Pain Society Annual Conference Association of Clinical Biochemistry

May

● Dancing on Ice ● Westlife ● Liverpool Sound City ● Guns N’ Roses ● Badminton ● Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland ● Royal College of Ophthalmologists Annual Congress ● BMA - Annual Conference of LMC's 2012 ● Obstetric Anaesthesia 2012 ● International Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Workshop & Conference ● Life Technologies Meeting

June

● Westlife ● Gymnastics ● Association of Insurance and Risk Managers ● The Liverpool City Region Tourism Awards ● Bishops Growth Conference ● 2012 DDF Meeting ● 58th Annual SSC Meeting (ISTH)

July

● Blink 182 ● Radio City ● Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) ● National Rail Conference ● Mersey Orthopaedic Registrar's Day 2012 ● Liverpool Unites proudly presents Liverpool Unites in Dance 2012 ● Royal College of Psychiatrists Annual Meeting ● Association Congress 2012 ● Duke of Edinburgh Awards ● World Academic Union

August

● Handbell Ringers of Great Britain ● Jehovah's Witnesses

September

● Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds ● International Netball Series: England V Jamaica ● World Cup Table Tennis ● BCSC ● Love and Light Exhibition ● Modern Buddhism - Discover Inner Peace

October

● John Bishop ● George Michael ● Cheryl ● Boxing ● Jesus Christ Superstar ● Deacon Blue ● Nicki Minaj ● Snooker ● Infection Prevention Society ● Renewable UK connect seminar ● The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy ● National Association of Pension Funds Annual Conference ● NHS FTN Event ● The Allergy & Free From Show North

November

● The Killers ● Lionel Richie ● Andrea Bocelli ● One Extra ● Once in a Lifetime ● Michael McIntyre ● Elbow ● Alanis Morisette ● 8th NCRI Cancer Conference ● Oral Health Conference & Exhibition 2012 ● Healthcare Infection Society/Federation of Infection Society 2012 ● Travel Counsellors Annual Conference ● Spanish Education Office

December

● ● ● ● ● ● ●

War of the Worlds Radio City Madness Florence and the Machine Mrs Brown Vampires Rock BSR

ESCORTED HOLIDAYS

readertravelholidays.com

Great Value Escorted Touring Holiday

9 days from

£999

Elvis Presley’s Memphis, New Orleans & Nashville Tour Highlights Montgomery is resting place of country legend Hank Williams Journey through the sleepy countryside of Alabama Spend two nights in New Orleans, the irrepressible, colourfully exuberant, and laid-back ‘Big Easy’ Take in the atmosphere of the fabled ‘French Quarter’ Visit Elvis’ tiny birthplace in Tupelo, Mississippi Cotton capital Memphis, Tennessee, was home to the ‘King’ Enjoy an evening on Memphis’ famous Beale Street Discover Nashville, world capital of Country Music

Join us for an unforgettable journey through America’s musical heartland, from the undisputed capital of Country Music to the cradle of the blues and Dixieland jazz, via the birthplace of the ‘King’ and the Tennessee city in which he made his home, and where rock ‘n’ roll was born some 60 years ago!

Beginning in Georgia, and then sweeping through Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee, you’ll discover the world of WC Handy, Robert Johnson, ‘Fats’ Domino, Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and, of course, Elvis Presley. Explore fabled New Orleans, with its unique brand of jazz and fabled French Quarter; visit Tupelo, where the ‘King’ was born in 1935: take in Memphis, site of legendary Sun Studio, home to Stax Records, famous Beale Street and Graceland, and explore Nashville, home to the Grand Ole Opry and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Against a background that stretches from the flat Mississippi Delta, through cotton fields to the wooded hills of Tennessee, down to the Gulf of Mexico and back through Alabama, and infused throughout with the magic and mystique, the sights and especially the sounds of the South, this is a truly wonderful holiday to savour and enjoy.

Quality touring hotels

London Heathrow Airport

£1,049

7, 14, 21 May 2013; 6, 13, 20, 27 May; 7, 14, 21 Oct 2014

£1,069

29 Apr 2014

£1,019

Outbound: 14:00/18:20 • Return: 20:40/09:45 Manchester Airport 19 Nov 2013; 18 Mar; 18 Nov 2014

£1,029

This tour stays in the Country Inn & Suites, Montgomery This modern hotel has a seasonal outdoor pool. There are restaurants nearby. Rooms have telephone and TV. Carefully selected hotels in New Orleans and Memphis. Holiday Inn Express Downtown (Nashville) Located in the heart of Nashville, close to all downtown attractions, restaurants, bars and honky tonks this hotel has its own breakfast room and an outdoor pool, and Choo Choo Hotel (Chattanooga) It’s a song, it’s a train, it’s a hotel! A

renowned southern landmark, this was the station the train actually ran from and is now a themed hotel with seven bars and restaurants to choose from!

8 Oct 2013

£1,049 £1,059

13, 20 May 2014

£1,069

For your FREE America & Canada 2013-14 brochure, complete this coupon and send to: Newmarket Promotions Ltd, FREEPOST KT2720, Worcester Park, KT4 8BR (NO STAMP REQUIRED)

14 Oct 2014

£1,079

Name

Connecting flights are available to London Heathrow for a supplement from Aberdeen, Belfast, Edinburgh, Glasgow & Newcastle

●

●

Postcode

●

●

●

Address Email

”

Mrs H, Wrexham

Tel

www.newmarket.travel/lpe15010 Mar2013

My husband and I would like to extend our thanks for a wonderful holiday to New Orleans, Nashville and Memphis. The hotels were excellent.

●

7, 21 May 2013

Outbound: 10:30/16:15 • Return: 19:00/08:10

Fully escorted by a Tour Manager in the USA

“

Departure Dates & Prices

1 May; 1, 8, 15, 22 Oct 2013

Comfortable coach touring

Optional Excursions

Choo-Choo’ station hotel!

£999

● ●

Spend a night in the original ‘Chattanooga

19 Nov 2013; 25 Feb (Carnival); 18, 25 Mar; 4, 18 Nov 2014

Price includes Free time to explore the three music capitals: Nashville – home of country music; hot-rocking, soulful Memphis; New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz ● Visits to Montgomery, Alabama, Tupelo and Chattanooga ● Hotel accommodation for seven nights staying in Montgomery (1 night), New Orleans (2 nights), Memphis (2 nights), Nashville (1 night) and Chattanooga (1 night) in a twin/double room on a roomonly basis ● Return scheduled flights ●

Steamboat Dinner Jazz Cruise – £43 per person New Orleans City Tour Half Day – £19 per person Bayou & Alligators Tour Half Day – £23 per person

New Orleans by night with Jazz – £34 per person Memphis: Graceland & Sounds of the South – Full Day – £42 per person Studio B & the Country Music Hall of Fame – Half Day – £23 per person

LPE

0151 559 1590 quoting code LPE

These holidays are organised & operated by Newmarket Air Holidays Ltd. ABTA V7812, ATOL Protected 2325. Subject to availability. Calls cost 4p per minute.

Information shown is taken from our America & Canada 2013-2014 1st edition brochure. Please contact us for the latest prices and availability.