Professionals across the Liverpool City Region are being encouraged to join a growing network of academics, clinicians and industry leaders who are helping to secure major national and international conferences for the region, as Club Liverpool celebrates the achievements of its ambassador community.
Club Liverpool is a partnership between Liverpool Convention Bureau and ACC Liverpool, soon to be known as the Liverpool Experience Campus. Together, the partners support ambassadors in attracting high-profile conferences that strengthen the region’s knowledge economy, global reputation and visitor economy.
The Club Liverpool Ambassador Programme is open to experts who wish to contribute to the continued growth of the region’s research, innovation and business landscape. Membership is free, and ambassadors receive dedicated support from Liverpool Convention Bureau, including bid development, venue sourcing, sustainability guidance and legacy planning. Those interested in joining the network can learn more at clubliverpool.co.uk
The call for new ambassadors comes as the programme recognises the outstanding contribution of its existing members at the annual Club Liverpool Ambassador Recognition Event, where the city region’s academic, clinical and professional community was celebrated for delivering significant economic and reputational benefits.
More than 80 guests attended the ceremony, including the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Barbara Murray, the High Sheriff, the Lord Lieutenant, senior business leaders, university representatives and key partners from across the region. The event highlighted the achievements of ambassadors who voluntarily use their influence to attract high-profile conferences to the Liverpool City Region.
These conferences play a vital role in strengthening Liverpool’s research reputation, supporting local jobs, driving visitor spend and positioning the region as a globally connected hub for innovation and knowledge exchange. Attendees also benefited from the opportunity to connect with peers, share best practice and explore future collaborations that support the region’s long-term economic and research ambitions.
L to R: Natalie Reeves-Billing, Guest of High Sheriff of Merseyside, High Sheriff of Merseyside, Billy Hui, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, Peter Oliver OBE.
Club Liverpool Chair, Howard Lewis.
Howard Lewis, Chair of Club Liverpool, opened the ceremony with a powerful address reflecting on the programme’s achievements and the importance of collaboration in a rapidly evolving global events landscape. He said,
“Liverpool’s strength lies in its partnerships, shared ambition and collective belief that the city deserves to shine. Ambassadors play an essential role in strengthening Liverpool’s research reputation, supporting local jobs and driving economic value and we thank them for their dedication.”
Reflecting the importance of partnership working, Faye Dyer, CEO at The ACC Liverpool Group and Business Events Representative on the Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership Board, said:
“ACC Liverpool is proud to work alongside Liverpool Convention Bureau in supporting the Club Liverpool Ambassador Programme. Ambassadors play a crucial role in bringing world-class conferences to our city, and their work directly contributes to the growth of our visitor economy, industry sector strengths, and the international profile of Liverpool City Region. As we transition to the Liverpool Experience Campus, our commitment to supporting this community and helping them deliver exceptional events remains stronger than ever.”
Fourteen ambassador-led conferences hosted in 2025 were recognised, with 38 certificates presented to individuals and organisations who played a key role in securing and delivering these events. Collectively, these conferences attracted 22,220 delegates and generated £14.8 million in economic impact for the Liverpool City Region.
The events represented a wide range of sectors, including health and life sciences, actuarial science, socio-legal studies, accelerator science, environmental research, children’s learning and data science. Many of the conferences supported early-career researchers, strengthened international research networks and delivered long-term benefits for local communities and institutions.
Reflecting on the importance of the sector, Lisa Owen of Liverpool Convention Bureau, said:
“Business tourism is a vital economic driver for the Liverpool City Region. Conferences bring high-value visitors who stay longer, spend more and engage deeply with our universities, hospitals and industries. The knowledge exchange, investment potential and international connections generated by these events have a lasting impact on our
economy and our global reputation. The achievements of our ambassadors demonstrate the power of collaboration and the strategic importance of attracting world-class events to our region.”
Howard Lewis also highlighted the long-term success of the programme. Over the past 11 years, Club Liverpool ambassadors have secured 115 major conferences, welcomed 78,000 delegates and generated more than £115 million in economic impact. The future pipeline remains strong, with major events already confirmed through to 2029, including the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry, the European Group for Organisational Studies (EGOS) and the International Particle Accelerator Conference (IPAC).
Becoming a Club Liverpool Ambassador offers individuals the opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of the Liverpool City Region while benefiting from a strong network of peers across academia, healthcare, research and industry. Ambassadors are invited to exclusive events and networking opportunities throughout the year and receive regular insights and updates that keep them connected to developments across the region. Members also gain access to free support from Liverpool Convention Bureau, including assistance with bid creation, venue finding, accommodation booking, sustainability guidance and legacy planning, as well as expert advice to help bring conferences and events to the city region. Joining the programme is quick, easy and free, providing a meaningful way to contribute to the region’s global profile and long-term success.
For general enquiries, contact info@clubliverpool.co.uk or visit clubliverpool.co.uk. Highlights video from the event can be viewed HERE.
FULL LIST OF 2025 RECOGNITION RECIPIENTS
Syringomyelia 2025
· Global conference advancing understanding of rare neurological conditions
· Economic impact: £144,000
· Professor Andrew Brodbelt
PARTY – Actuarial Spring School
· International spring school connecting early-career researchers from 53 countries
· Economic impact: £173,000
· Professor Corina Constantinescu
British Science Festival
· Major UK public science festival engaging thousands across the region
· Economic impact: £8.1 million
· Professor Keith George
· Professor Anthony Hollander
· Stuart Arrowsmith
· Dr Stephanie Hayton
· Dr Aileen Jones
· Zoe Knowles
· Miss Gemma Reed
· Jane Townend
· Kerry Weeks
· Sian Winston
ASAB Spring Meeting
· International gathering of early-career researchers in animal behaviour and ecology
· Economic impact: £250,000
· Professor Claudia Mettke-Hofmann
· Dr Susanne Zajitschek
· Miss Isla Botting
DIAMONDS General Assembly
· European collaboration advancing rapid diagnostics for paediatric infectious diseases
· Economic impact: £107,000
· Professor Enitan Carrol
European Association for Diabetic Eye Complications
· International conference improving diabetic eye care and preventing avoidable blindness
· Economic impact: £360,000
· Philip Burgess
· Professor Simon Harding
Hands-On! International Conference
· Global event exploring play-based learning and children’s museum innovation
· Economic impact: £385,000
· Leigh-Anne Stradeski
· Michelle Emerson
· Tudor Gwynn
· Liz Peniston
International Beam Instrumentation Conference (IBIC)
· Global conference on accelerator science and beam instrumentation
· Economic impact: £586,000
· Professor Carsten P. Welsch
· Dr Narender Kumar
· Dr Joseph Wolfenden
· Alexandra Welsch
The Socio-Legal Studies Association (SLSA) Annual Conference 2025
· Professor Marie Fox
· Professor Helen Stalford
· Mr Michael Longworth
· Mrs Rachel McGee
Tidalites 2025
· Professor Nicoletta Leonardi
· Mrs Rebecca Prescott
· Mrs Alison Barkley
· Jan Wilson
· Mrs Artemis Mermigki
Young Statistician Meeting 2025
· Miss Alexandra Hunt
· Miss Hollie Hughes
ICOM UK
· Dr Christian Baars
World Congress of the International Academy of Oral Oncology
· Professor Richard Shaw
European College of Equine Internal Medicine Congress
· Fernando Malalana
Contact:
For further information contact:
Geraldine Vesey, Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership: g.vesey@liverpoolcityregiondp.com Tel: 07949 146658