Liverpool has reinforced its position as one of the UK’s leading destinations for international association conferences, according to the latest International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) global rankings.
The 2025 ICCA rankings, which will be officially announced at IMEX Frankfurt this month, show that Liverpool hosted 22 ICCA-qualifying international association meetings during the year.
Liverpool is now ranked:
- 120th globally
- 66th in Europe
- 5th highest-ranked UK city
The city continues to perform strongly in an increasingly competitive international marketplace, following a landmark rise in last year’s rankings which saw Liverpool move from 173rd to 112th globally.
ICCA rankings are regarded as one of the most significant international benchmarks for conference destinations, measuring cities based on the number of rotating international association meetings they host.
Only London, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Manchester currently rank ahead of Liverpool within the UK, underlining Liverpool’s continued strength as a destination for major conferences and knowledge-led events.
International conferences generate significant economic impact for Liverpool City Region, bringing high-value visitors into the destination, supporting hotels, venues, restaurants and local businesses, while also strengthening the city’s reputation in key sectors including health, science, innovation, education and advanced manufacturing.
Business events also create long-term opportunities for investment, collaboration, research partnerships and talent attraction, helping position Liverpool on the global stage as a centre for expertise and innovation.
Natalie Wyatt, Managing Director of Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership, said:
These results demonstrate Liverpool’s growing reputation as an accomplished destination for hosting world-class international conferences and events across a wide range of sectors.
To maintain this level of performance following our strongest-ever year is a significant achievement and reflects the collaboration and ambition of partners right across the city region.
International conferences bring substantial economic benefits to Liverpool, supporting jobs, businesses and investment, while also creating opportunities for research collaboration, innovation and global profile-building for our institutions and sectors.
Many international conferences are secured several years in advance and often begin with academics, clinicians, researchers and industry leaders using their networks and influence within international associations to champion Liverpool.
We know there is enormous, untapped potential across our universities, institutions and professional communities, and we would encourage organisations to get in touch with us early to explore how we can work together to bring future conferences to the city region.
Liverpool City Region Destination Partnership is encouraging universities, research institutes, healthcare organisations, cultural institutions and professional associations to work more closely with the city’s conference and events sector to help identify and secure future international meetings. An award-winning team at the Liverpool Convention Bureau connects organisers with world-class venues, accommodation, and a trusted network of local partners.
Liverpool Experience Campus, formerly ACC Liverpool, continues to play a central role in the city region’s business events success as a world-class waterfront campus of interconnected venues hosting major national and international conferences and exhibitions.
Adrian Evans, Director of Sales at Liverpool Experience Campus, said:
Liverpool Experience Campus helps position the city region as a destination that is adept at hosting major conferences and events on an international scale. The unique combination of our interconnected venues, central location and integrated accommodation offering enables us to deliver world-class experiences for delegates and organisers alike.
The city is aiming to increase the number of ICCA-qualifying meetings hosted to between 26 and 28 by 2026, helping Liverpool move closer towards the ICCA global top 100.
Bill Addy, CEO of Liverpool Business Improvement District, who oversees the Accommodation BID said:
The ambition of our hotel sector when it pushed for the establishment of an Accommodation BID was to achieve exactly this kind of success. Liverpool was the first city to have an operating ABID, and the overnight visitor levy delivers its success because it is driven by a single metric; to increase overnight stays.
Supporting global conferences, alongside major events, is part of the core role of the subvention fund, which the overnight levy generates. This circular and sustainable visitor economy helps to illustrate the real benefit of the private sector working so passionately and determinedly for the city.
A key part of Liverpool’s success is driven through Club Liverpool, the city region’s ambassador programme, which supports academics, clinicians and industry leaders to bid for and attract prestigious international conferences. Club Liverpool provides participants with access to bid support, strategic advice, networking opportunities and citywide partnership expertise to help secure major events for Liverpool.
Natalie Wyatt added:
Club Liverpool offers an outstanding platform for individuals and organisations who want to raise both their own international profile and Liverpool’s reputation on the global stage.
The programme has already helped attract major conferences to the city and we would love to hear from more people who are involved in international associations or considering future event opportunities.
If you want to find out more information about joining Club Liverpool as an ambassador, email conferences@liverpoolcityregiondp.com.