Wirral company backs Liverpool's Expo presence

A Wirral company has become the latest in a series of small businesses to put its support behind Liverpool's presence at the World Expo in Shanghai.

Destination Learning, an educationally-led bespoke event management company, is the first company in Wirral to link itself to Liverpool's international ambition and will use the Pavilion as a platform to build links with learning establishments and private sector businesses in China.

The company, which is based in Bromborough, organises bespoke programmes and packages for the education sector by coordinating partnerships between learning providers and the private sector and provides assistance with the logistics of educational trips for universities and businesses.

The company, which is run and managed by former Mersey Partnership commercial tourism manager Paul Mullins, will benefit from the event by creating partnerships with universities, education agencies and private sector businesses in China.

Mr Mullins said: "It is essential for Destination Learning to be a part of such an exciting opportunity to showcase Liverpool to the world. The chance to create even stronger links with the universities and businesses in one of the world's fastest growing economies is a natural extension of what Destination Learning already strives to achieve."

Mr Mullins is set to head out to Shanghai during August, the month of the Expo which will see Liverpool's Pavilion given a knowledge sector theme.

He will be joined by a delegation made up of six universities in the North West which have committed to a joint sponsorship package.

Mike Taylor, director of investment and enterprise at Liverpool Vision, said: "The Expo is attracting sponsorship across a range of businesses and organisations, from large, often global organisations, right through to SMEs. Whatever size a business is, Liverpool's presence at the World Expo holds major potential to build upon existing or start new relationships with the worlds emerging markets."

Paul added: "For a relatively small price we are part of an event which will secure connections with Chinese organisations and businesses and attract significant inward investment predicted to deliver up to £50m in benefits to Liverpool and the north west over the next decade."

Liverpool is the only UK city to have a dedicated presence at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai. Its participation is being led by Liverpool Vision in partnership with the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool-Shanghai Partnership.

The World Expo runs between May1 and October 31 this year and will attract around 70 million visitors.

The lead sponsor of the Liverpool Pavilion is Peel Holdings, which has interests in ports, airports, renewable energy, media and property development across the North West.