Prime Minister David Cameron today announced the launch of the UK’s International Festival for Business 2014, the global gathering of the world’s most inspiring businesses, which will take place in Liverpool and Wirral in June and July next year.
The festival will be a global showcase of business, where the city region will play host to hundreds of world-class events. The festival will attract more than 250,000 visitors from across the globe to take part in 61 days of events, exhibitions and celebrations, in order to realise the potential of global economic recovery.
Strongly endorsing plans for next year’s festival, the Prime Minister was in Liverpool today for his first day of public engagements in 2013. Mr Cameron also met with business leaders at the Museum of Liverpool to take a temperature check on business in the region and to discuss how to boost growth and increase exports in the coming year.
With approximately £6 billion of major investment since 2000, Liverpool’s economy has grown faster than that of the UK. Having established itself as a globally recognised brand, the city has been appointed to deliver the International Festival for Business 2014, where it will showcase its vibrant economy and celebrate the very best in business.
Speaking at the launch, Prime Minister Rt Hon David Cameron MP, said: “We are in a global race in our world today, a race in which Liverpool is not just competing with Barcelona and Hamburg, you’re competing with Beijing and Jakarta. Some countries will make it and others will fall behind, and I am determined that Britain, and cities like Liverpool, will make it.
“If 2012 showed us anything, it showed us that we can achieve great things in this country – we can achieve our personal best, go for gold, put on a show that will amaze and dazzle the world. That is what we did in 2012 and that is what I know you will do in 2014.
“I am absolutely delighted to be here today to give my full support to the International Festival for Business that you are going to be hosting here in Liverpool in 2014. I think it’s an absolutely excellent idea, you have my full support, and the Government will be right behind you every step of the way.”
The International Festival for Business 2014 will deliver:
- Hundreds of world-class events
- 61 days of business celebrations
- 250,000 visitors to Liverpool
- £100 million of inward investment
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson commented: “We are delighted to welcome the Prime Minister to Liverpool today to join the launch of the countdown to the International Festival for Business 2014.
“Our city is no stranger to spectacle and has proved over the last few years its first class ability to host major global events.
“We look forward to showing the world the very best of Liverpool and the UK and what’s more, the very best in international business.”
Max Steinberg, Chief Executive of Liverpool Vision, added: “We are immensely proud that Liverpool will host such a world-class event as the International Festival for Business 2014.It will highlight the city region’s transformation as a dynamic location and as a visitor destination and create a legacy that will be built on for years.
“Liverpool City Region has grown to become again a gateway to international markets, boasting a vibrant economy and an international hub for trade. Quite simply, Liverpool is Britain at its best and is the perfect venue for next year’s festival.”
Guests at the launch also heard from Simon Kimble, Chief Executive of Clarion, who have been appointed as event partners and who have a worldwide reputation for delivering large scale events.
With plans for the International Festival for Business 2014 well underway, the city of Liverpool will this year host Accelerate 2013 – a three-day celebration of the very best in fast-growth business, which will take place from 26-28 June 2013. Accelerate will mark the road to 2014, further consolidating Liverpool’s position as a globally renowned hub for business.
For more information, please visit the International Festival of Business website here
