Companies across the North West need to come and get their share of the economic opportunities provided by the International Festival for Business 2016 (IFB2016) in Liverpool, according to festival director Ian McCarthy.
Speaking at an event to mark 60 days until the three-week festival starts on 13 June 2016, McCarthy explained that the business case for IFB2016 agreed with government is that the event will create £265m of gross value added for the economy.
"£265m is big potatoes by anyone's book," he said. "The message to businesses is come and get your share of that £265m."
McCarthy also revealed that the festival now has 65 committed international delegations and is making progress towards its target of 100. This includes several European neighbours but also faraway places such as Uzbekistan, Mongolia and a growing number of Chinese city regions.
The variety of networking opportunities on offer is expected to help IFB2016 achieve its three main goals. These are to help businesses increase their sales, reinforce the UK as a great place to do trade, and benefit the residents and businesses of the Liverpool city region.
McCarthy added: "We're in really good shape in terms of planning for the festival.
"But it's important to stress that this isn't just the Liverpool business festival or even the Northern Powerhouse business festival, it's the UK's business festival."
The event also heard from Ann O'Byrne, deputy mayor of Liverpool, who told attendees that the leaders of the Liverpool city region remain fully committed to the festival.
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