Liverpool Chamber of Commerce has presented its bid to host the 2015 World Chambers Congress (WCC) in Istanbul, Turkey.
The ten-minute presentation emphasised the benefits of Liverpool as a city, from its history to its culture, and also the heritage of Liverpool Chamber itself.
The delegation, who presented to 50 members of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)’s World Chambers Federation (WCF), consisted of Jenny Stewart, bid leader at Liverpool Chamber of Commerce; Paul Cherpeau, Chamber executive officer; Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool and Tim Banfield, commercial director of ACC Liverpool; and Duncan Frazer, commercial and marketing director at Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Mike McCartney, as Liverpool’s Ambassador for Culture accompanied the delegation and gave his support.
Liverpool Chamber is one of four cities bidding to host the 2015 WCC, alongside Belfast, Geneva and Torino.
The bid book will be submitted on September 30, and the host city will be announced by the WCF Executive Committee on 26 November.
The Congress, organised by the ICC and the ICC’s WCF, is the only international forum for chamber leaders and executives to share experience, develop networks and learn about new areas of innovation from other chambers.
The Congress, which would take place at ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, could attract up to 2,000 delegates to Liverpool and generate more than £3m to the local economy. It would be the first time the UK has hosted a WCF Congress.
Jenny said: “Liverpool has an unparalleled history when it comes to world trade, commerce and industry as well as one of the oldest chambers in the UK. It is this rich heritage, culture and experience which we focused on in our presentation.
“We have the ambition and passion to bring this event to the city and welcome delegates to embrace the city’s business knowledge.”
The International Festival of Business, a major business expo taking place in Liverpool and Wirral in 2014 which is expected to attract 500,000 delegates, will commence a year of promoting international trade. The World Chambers Congress in 2015 is intended to form the finale of a year’s work.
Liverpool Chamber of Commerce is encouraging letters of support from local businesses and stakeholders. For more information on how to do this, visit http://www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk/world-chamber-congress-2015-bid.html.
