Exhibition Centre Liverpool, part of the city’s event campus operated by the ACC Liverpool Group, is celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Built in 2015 as an additional venue to complement the conference centre and arena that had opened in 2008 Exhibition Centre Liverpool has spent the past decade helping to transform the city’s iconic waterfront. Over the past decade, it has established itself as one of the UK’s leading destinations for exhibitions, conferences, trade shows and cultural experiences.
From its first day, the centre has played a pivotal role in Liverpool’s growth story, helping to shape the city’s reputation on the global stage. Today, it stands as both a hub of economic activity and a landmark that has welcomed millions of visitors driving growth across the Liverpool City Region while showcasing the city on the international stage.
Economic impact
The numbers tell a compelling story. In 10 years, the 8,100m² purpose-built venue has hosted more than 500 events and attracted upwards of 2.2m visitors. The activity has translated into an estimated £320m in economic impact, benefiting the city’s hotels, restaurants, independent businesses and wider visitor economy.
The centre has also been strengthened by its links to the adjoining Pullman Liverpool hotel, which provides delegates and exhibitors with accommodation on site. Together with the neighbouring ACC Liverpool and M&S Bank Arena, Exhibition Centre Liverpool is part of a versatile campus that positions the city alongside Europe’s most competitive destinations for large-scale events.
A decade of events
Over the last 10 years, the venue has hosted a wide variety of gatherings. Leading trade exhibitions such as SIBA’s BeerX and Nursing Live have cemented its place as a trusted home for industry professionals. Cultural and entertainment highlights have included Comic Con Liverpool, international gymnastics competitions and immersive art experiences like Beyond Monet and Van Gogh, with the venue providing the scale, flexibility and profile needed to attract record audiences, support event expansion and position Liverpool as a destination capable of hosting world-class experiences.
The venue has also been central to events of global significance. Liverpool’s hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2023 placed the city in the spotlight of an international audience, while the FIFA World Cup brought the growing phenomenon of esports to the waterfront. On the political stage, the Labour Party Conference has repeatedly chosen the venue as its base, underlining its importance as a trusted platform for events that shape national conversation.
Each of these moments highlights the flexibility of the venue and the expertise of the teams who bring them to life. Whether hosting tens of thousands of fans or facilitating intimate industry gatherings, Exhibition Centre Liverpool has demonstrated how experiences can be elevated by a venue that adapts seamlessly to every need and challenge.
Strengthening Liverpool’s global profile
The success of Exhibition Centre Liverpool cannot be measured only in visitor numbers and economic data. Over the past decade, the venue has also helped to elevate Liverpool’s profile on the world stage. Visitors who arrive for events are drawn into the wider life of the city – exploring the Royal Albert Dock, experiencing its museums and galleries, and enjoying a thriving food and nightlife scene.
This integration between venue and city has created a complete experience, blending professional events with cultural discovery, while their pioneering Legacy Strategy has ensured these events deliver lasting benefits beyond the venue. By driving meaningful change within the community, through skills development, community engagement and sustainable practices, the venue has reinforced Liverpool’s reputation as a vibrant, welcoming and forward-thinking destination.
Looking ahead
As Exhibition Centre Liverpool reflects on its first decade, attention is already turning to the future. The next 10 years will bring opportunities to expand its global reach, attract new audiences and embrace innovation in the fast-changing events sector. Sustainability, technology and new event formats are likely to play a central role in shaping its evolution.
For Liverpool, the venue has become far more than bricks and mortar. It is a place where global audiences connect, and where culture and commerce come together. Its first 10 years have delivered a legacy of growth and recognition. The next decade promises to build on that foundation, ensuring that the city’s waterfront continues to be a stage for world-class experiences.
Faye Dyer, CEO of the ACC Liverpool Group said, “When we opened Exhibition Centre Liverpool ten years ago, our ambition was to create a venue that would not only attract world-class events, but also make a real difference to our city and its people. What makes me proudest is seeing how our teams, our partners and our clients have all contributed to that vision — bringing global events and audiences to Liverpool while leaving a positive legacy across the region. That’s the spirit we’ll carry into the next decade.”
