Even as the city's year as the European Capital of Culture now looks like it is winding down to a close after its most famous son, Sir Paul McCartney played to an ecstatic Anfield, Liverpool's reputation as one of the Europe's hottest conferencing destinations just keeps on growing.
Just weeks after the Tourism Society headed up to Merseyside for its annual national conference so as to learn from the region's recent successes in attracting a number of high-profile and lucrative events, it has been announced that Liverpool is to host the 2010 International Association of Congress Centres (APIC) conference.
This means the north-west city will follow on from the likes of Quebec, Edinburgh, Montpellier, Graz and, in the case of this year's event, Singapore, in welcoming the chief executives and senior managers from some of the world's biggest and best conferencing venues.
In total, 160 members from more than 53 different countries will head to Liverpool's £164 million ACC Centre, home to the BT Convention Centre as well as the Echo Arena, to discuss the latest developments and future trends within the corporate conferencing world.
Commenting on the announcement, Jacquie Rogers, general manager of the BT Convention Centre, told the city's Daily Post newspaper: "AIPC is an organisation which puts excellence in the industry at its very heart. To be a member of such a prestigious body is an honour in itself. To be chosen as the host venue for its conference is quite something else.
"ACC Liverpool has been open for just a few months and we have strived to make the facility world-class in every way. It is a real vote of confidence that after such a short time we’re able to make an announcement of this magnitude."
Though the news has been welcomed by Liverpool's business leaders, it is hardly likely to come as a complete shock, given the city's conferencing credentials, which are serving to attract major business events all year round and stave off tough competition from nearby Manchester.
Above all, the city offers a unique character that most other destinations would struggle to match.
As well as The Beatles and its strong football heritage, the city is famous for its two cathedrals, with delegates invited to events at the Liverpool Science Park benefitting from excellent views over the Catholic Cathedral as well being right in the heart of the city centre.
Likewise, the Philharmonic Hall, located right in the middle of the two cathedrals, does not just play host to the city's world-famous orchestra, but is also capable of giving up to 800 guests a memorable conferencing experience showing just why Liverpool's cultural richness is currently being celebrated.
Away from the arts and religion scene, the Liverpool John Moores University prides itself on being one of the first venues in the country to gain the industry Accredited in Meetings (AIM) standard, with events hosted all year round and some of the world's leading academics on hand to offer expert insight into all business and scientific areas.
And for those wanting to benefit from hosting their event in one of the most historic ports in Europe, the Museum of Liverpool offers conferencing facilities in its venues, all of which – including the Merseyside Maritime Museum, the Walker Art Gallery and the International Slavery Museum – are located in the heart of the old docks, designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. 
