The Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland (ASGBI) has committed to holding its annual International Surgical Congress at ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, on a 3-year rotating contract until 2020. Following ASGBI’s successful 90th anniversary Congress in 2010 at the venue, the Association has confirmed it will return to Liverpool in 2012, 2016 and 2020, the Association’s 100th anniversary.
The flexibility of ACC Liverpool inspired ASGBI to commit to a three-year deal and the venues capacity to host large delegate numbers was an important factor for ASGBI when shortlisting potential venues. With delegate numbers growing consistently each year, the venue had to be within a city that could also accommodate and entertain the Association’s membership.
The ASGBI International Congress currently attracts around 2000 delegates of which 25% attend from over seas, all keen to share best practice and engage in discussions of new developments within their field.
ACC Liverpool has worked closely with Liverpool Convention Bureau to bring the ASGBI Congress, which has an estimated £1.7m economic impact on the local economy, to Liverpool.
Professor Nicholas Gair, Chief Executive of ASGBI said, “ACC Liverpool was one of the few venues to be considered which could, from the outset, accommodate the projected increase of delegate numbers for each year up to 2020. I am confident that each of the Association’s International Surgical Congresses in Liverpool will be individually memorable due to the variety and flexibility both the venue and City can offer. The strong links the venue has with Liverpool Convention Bureau and the tourist board have made it easy to manage our events via one contact. We wanted to be in a venue that breathes with us and, with the recent news of the exhibition and events complex, it shows just how adaptable and accommodating ACC Liverpool will be by 2020.”
Bob Prattey, Chief Executive ACC Liverpool said, “The collective factors that have resulted in ASGBI’s decision to commit to three years at ACC Liverpool proves our partnership with the Bureau is a winning formula. ACC Liverpool has an exacting record of hosting medical conferences, with facilities suited for large conference groups, as well as destination support in terms of tailored social programmes, further confirming the city’s appeal to this sector.”
