Adam Jones, Showplans CEO

Showplans has seen a rise in revenue of more than 20% over the last year thanks to an increased marketing and PR spend to boost the company’s brand equity alongside improved sales figures, a number of exclusive deals and the instant success of Showplanner, which made a splash upon its release in February. Showplans CEO Adam Jones says “we have seen a steady year-on-year increase in turnover of around 10% since the company was founded in 2009, so this big step up is a clear sign that the quality of our design solutions is starting to make an impact in the industry”. The company will use the additional income to fund further product development.

It hasn’t been all plain sailing for the premium event supplier though, with three clients going into administration in the last year– The Eye Show, The Wine Festival Reading and The Greatest Show in the Galaxy. All three were launch shows, which highlights the potential risks of such a venture. Jones adds “it’s always tough to see a show we’ve worked so hard for getting into difficulties, especially when we build a personal relationship with our clients. We are well aware of the risks of supporting launch shows as a contractor, but it’s something we are proud of and we will not stop doing it – we feel it is greatly important for us to play an active role in furthering the growth and variety that has made the UK events industry so strong.”

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The Labour Party has announced it will return to Liverpool for its annual conference in 2016 and 2018.

The party will head to ACC Liverpool in September 2016 and will return to the venue again in September 2018. Each conference is expected to generate £17m in economic impact and is the most important on Labour’s political calendar.

Labour first visited the city in September 2011 for its main gathering which was the biggest political event to have ever come to Liverpool. It contributed £15m to the local economy and hosted 11,000 delegates over five days.

Iain McNicol, general secretary of the Labour Party, said: “We are delighted to be able to confirm that we will be holding the Labour Party Conference in Liverpool in 2016 and 2018.

“Liverpool is one of our great British cities and we had a wonderful conference there in 2011. ACC Liverpool is a first class venue for conference and we look forward to returning to the city.”

Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool, said: “This news is a huge vote of confidence in Liverpool by the Labour Party. It’s clear that Liverpool is now firmly up there as one of the very best venues in the whole of the country when it comes to hosting major, world class events.

“These conferences will bring in millions of pounds to the local economy. They will fill up our hotels, our restaurants, our shops and our bars. All of that supports local jobs, and will be a real boost to our city.

“The Labour Party conference in 2011 really impressed everyone who came. It was a great event, and I remember so many people coming up to me to tell me how fantastic the city looked.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming thousands of delegates again – and hopefully, the next Labour Prime Minister!”

Bob Prattey, chief executive of ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena, added: “The Labour Party annual conference in 2011 was a tremendous success and confirmed Liverpool as a major international conference destination. The event had a huge impact on the entire region.

“It was the largest ever hosted in the city with 1,200 staff employed on the site over five days as both BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena operated at full capacity, utilising every available space.

“It attracted 2,000 press and media and hosted more than 500 fringe events at venues across the city.

“Labour’s decision to return to Liverpool comes as a result of ACC Liverpool and our city partners working together tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure this high profile event is returning for two outings.

“The announcement of our new exhibition centre and hotel will provide the Labour Party with more options to develop their events.”

The Labour Party Conference in 2011 saw maximum security procedures implemented and rigorous plans put into place in collaboration with Merseyside Police, Liverpool Convention Bureau and Liverpool City Council.

ACC Liverpool is ideally located for high-security events of this nature, being effectively surrounded by water on three sides which creates a secure campus site and enables it to lockdown quickly and efficiently.

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