26 June 2009

World Expo has global a-Peel

Peel Holdings is to be the lead sponsor of the Liverpool Pavilion at the World Expo 2010, it was announced today.

The company is to invest more than £100,000 in the deal to be the headline sponsor for the Pavilion during the six-month event next year.

The World Expo in Shanghai runs between May 1 and October 31 and will attract around 70 million visitors. It is regarded as a once-in-a-generation opportunity to consolidate existing and forge new relationships in the world’s emerging markets and is predicted to deliver upto £50m in benefits to Liverpool and the North West over the next decade.

Liverpool is the only UK city except London to have a dedicated Pavilion at the event. Its presence is being led by Liverpool Vision in partnership with Liverpool City Council, the Liverpool-Shanghai Partnership and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

Lindsey Ashworth, Development Director at Peel, said: “The range of our group’s activities in ports, airports, renewable energy, media and property development across the North West makes the Liverpool Pavilion at the Expo an excellent fit for our organisation.

“We will use the event as a platform to position investment opportunities and to showcase our expertise and credentials to a global audience.

“We are confident our Liverpool Waters and Wirral Waters proposals, plus the range of opportunities presented by Media City and by our ports and airports businesses, will attract significant interest at the event.”

Steven Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Development Agency (NWDA), said: “Peel’s involvement demonstrates that this is a truly regional opportunity, supported by Liverpool’s positioning at the Expo as the Gateway to the North West.

“Liverpool’s brand is a unique calling card on the international stage, driving attention to the Pavilion and those organisations with the foresight and vision to get involved in this opportunity.”

Coun Warren Bradley, leader of Liverpool City Council, said: “The impact of Liverpool’s presence at World Expo 2010 will be felt beyond the city region, and Peel’s involvement clearly demonstrates the value this event will deliver to the whole of the North West.

“More than 140 countries will be represented at Expo and we now want other regional businesses to speak to us about how we can help them in their objectives to connect with global markets.
“We want as many local firms as possible to join us at World Expo 2010 and benefit from the incredible opportunity that it presents.”

Mike Taylor, Investment Director for Liverpool Vision, added: “We are delighted Peel has come on board as our lead sponsor. It is a reflection of their commitment to the region and their far-sighted and strategic view of the importance of international relationships to the future prosperity of the North West.”

The Liverpool Pavilion sponsorship opportunities include a package of professional business support that includes:
• meetings with Shanghai government officials
• identification of and introduction to business prospects
• translation services
• the processing of visa applications
• provision of meeting venues
• targeted publicity
• complete Shanghai side care package

A number of themes will be addressed by Liverpool’s Pavilion during the Expo. They are:
• Urban regeneration, energy, sustainability and the environment
• Advanced technology and science
• Culture, health and sport
• The Knowledge Sector
• Professional services
• Liverpool: the gateway to the North West (ports, airports and property development)

Businesses wishing to obtain further information on sponsorship packages should contact Graham Miller at Liverpool Vision on 0151 600 2900 or email gmiller@liverpoolvision.co.uk
Further information is available at www.liverpoolshanghai2010.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

Liverpool is the only UK city to have committed to a dedicated presence at the World Expo in Shanghai.
The Expo takes place every four years and is an opportunity for participants to showcase investment opportunities and cultural distinctiveness to an international audience.

Organisers of the Shanghai 2010 Expo estimate that 70 million people will visit the Expo during its six month run from May 1st to October 31st 2010.

Liverpool’s presence at Expo 2010 is being led by Liverpool Vision in partnership with Liverpool City Council, The Liverpool Shanghai Partnership and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
The NWDA has committed £1.25m to support Liverpool’s presence, whilst Liverpool City Council has committed £300,000.

At the Expo, Liverpool will represent the whole North West region’s cultural and business assets and will celebrate the tenth anniversary of its twin city relationship with Shanghai.

The Liverpool Pavilion will be housed within the Urban Best Practice Area of the 5.3 sq km Expo site which overlooks the Huangpu River.

For more information please contact Jon Brown at Paver Smith on 0151 239 5000 or 07811 451184. brown@paversmith.co.uk