Liverpool is named fourth most successful city for attracting international conferences

Liverpool has leapfrogged Manchester, Belfast and Cambridge to become the fourth most successful city in the UK for attracting major international conferences.

That’s the city’s highest ever ranking in the annual ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) report, which also saw it rise 61 places in the world meeting table, from 173^rd to 112^th place worldwide. In the UK, Liverpool is now only behind London, Edinburgh and Glasgow, having hosted 23 major international conferences in 2024.

Liverpool City Region Mayor, Steve Rotheram, said:

“From our cutting-edge facilities to our vibrant cultural offer, Liverpool continues to punch well above its weight on the global stage.”

“This incredible leap in the global rankings is a testament to Liverpool’s growing reputation as a world-class destination for international conferences and events. Rising 61 places and achieving our highest-ever position in the UK reflects the hard work, passion, and ambition of everyone involved in our visitor economy and business tourism sector.

“From our cutting-edge facilities to our vibrant cultural offer, Liverpool continues to punch well above its weight on the global stage. The success of Club Liverpool and our incredible ambassadors, who help attract high-calibre events, is proof that collaboration and local pride can drive real economic impact – bringing in millions and creating opportunities across the region. This is just the beginning of what we can achieve.”

ICCA is the global community for the meetings industry with over 1,000 members in more than 90 different countries.

The rankings are based on the number of international conferences that come to a destination meeting the following criteria; the event must rotate between at least three countries/territories, it must attract at least 50 participants face-to-face and be held with an established frequency (annual, biennial, triennial etc.).

Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, said:

“To jump so many places shows the true appeal of Liverpool to associations and is testament to the hard work of all those involved in both attracting events to the city and hosting them. This leap isn’t just a statistic, it represents a transformative moment in Liverpool’s evolution as a world-class business events destination. The city’s unique blend of historic charm and modern innovation resonates with international organisations seeking vibrant, accessible venues for their most important gatherings.

“This achievement speaks volumes about Liverpool’s growing global reputation and the exceptional dedication of our hospitality professionals, event coordinators, and civic leaders who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes. Their commitment to excellence has not only put Liverpool on the map but has established it as a premier conference hub that delivers unforgettable experiences. As we celebrate this milestone fourth position in the UK rankings, we’re realising the wins of a collaborative vision that has positioned Liverpool as a beacon for business tourism and cultural exchange for years to come.”

Ambassadors play a key role in supporting the key growth sectors of Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, Digital, Creative and Technology, Professional & Financial Services and Clean Growth & Renewable Energy.

Lisa Owen, Head of Business Tourism, said:

“At Liverpool Convention Bureau (LCB) we do so much more than fill venues. This year we celebrate 10 years of Club Liverpool, the city regions ambassador programme, which now has 320 members. Of the 23 ICCA ranked events hosted in 2024, 12 were led by ambassadors. To date, over 100 events delivering 56,000 delegates have been secured, bringing a significant £100m to the local economy. To support this growth in business visitors Liverpool city centre now boasts 85 hotels, with more in the pipeline, offering nearly 10,000 bedrooms for delegates.”

Just some of the events held in the city contributing to the ranking include The European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology Annual Meeting, The 12th International Conference on Fluvial Hydraulics, European Low Gravity Research Association Biennial Symposium & General Assembly, The International Symposium on Lattice Field Theory and The International Symposium on Chromatography.

Learn more about ICCA here.

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