2025 will be the seventh time in two decades that the Labour Party Conference has been held in Liverpool. It is its fourth consecutive year at the waterfront venue.

From hospitality to supply chains, from visibility to long-term legacy, the impact of the Conference on the city has an economic and cultural value.

The Conference has only grown in Liverpool.

Last year, it welcomed over 20,000 attendees in their biggest and most well attended conference to date. The five-day event is estimated to have generated over £30 million economic impact.

In 2023, the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool drew around 18,000 attendees and generated an estimated £29 million in economic benefit for the city. The 2022 iteration drew around 12,500 attendees and was credited with boosting the city centre economy by roughly £20 million.

Beyond direct attendees spending, Liverpool’s Accommodation BID (ABID) — a vehicle partly designed to support major events — has estimated that over 12 months it contributed £47 million in economic impact via 63,600 bed nights and activity around events.

The 2023 conference also had a social dimension: 40% of conference suppliers were social enterprises, the catering chain included local community businesses (e.g. “Homebaked” generated ~£93,500 in social value), and the organisers explicitly tried to embed “social value” in procurement decisions.

Liverpool is no stranger to hosting large national events, but it is through mechanisms like the ABID, where the city can maximise the upside.

How can you map the economic impact?

It is useful to examine different channels. For example, an obvious benefit is in hospitality and accommodation. Hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments all see higher occupancy; restaurants, bars, cafés benefit from additional footfall. If attendees enjoy their visit, they are more likely to return to the city.

Transport and local services benefit from the increased footfall and usage, and the focus on Liverpool’s ability to absorb the increased population increases its attractiveness to hold further major national events.

The repeat business from the party conference helps those along the supply chain, like catering, signage, printing, IT or staffing firms benefiting from building those relationships year after year.

News editors and planners will be looking for the best locations along the waterfront for their live business, their interviews with the Prime Minister and key members of the cabinet, of key officials in Liverpool and opinion formers. The profile raising of Liverpool as  a place for business, politics and conversation increases the city’s profile and exposure. It doesn’t hurt that the waterfront, with the Three Graces, stunning views and architecture, and the tourist attraction of the Royal Liverpool Albert Dock in plain sight helps to remind people of the city’s attractiveness.

The Labour Party Conference offers Liverpool a powerful opportunity — not just a few days of extra guests, but a platform to turbocharge its events economy, elevate its national profile, and deepen local supplier ecosystems.

If the city plays its cards well (in coordination, local inclusion, experience curation and legacy leverage), the economic boost will last far longer than after the attendees leave.

Faye Dyer CEO at The ACC Liverpool Group adds

“Hosting the Labour Party Conference for the fourth year running underlines Liverpool’s reputation as a world-class destination for major political and business events. The impact goes far beyond the millions in economic benefit, helping to strengthen local supply chains, support our hospitality sector, and contribute positively to community initiatives. At ACC Liverpool, we are proud to play a central role in showcasing the city on the national stage and in creating long-term opportunities for local people and businesses.”