The Association for Cultural Enterprises, a charity and trade body for the arts, heritage, and cultural sector, has announced details of the 2025 Cultural Enterprises Conference, which will take place on 12 and 13 March at ACC Liverpool, UK.
In the current climate of growing costs and limited funding, commercial income generation is becoming increasingly vital to the survival of cultural institutions, making the annual Cultural Enterprises Conference a must-attend event on the cultural calendar.
The annual event brings together commercial knowledge, experience, and best practices across the spectrum of arts, heritage, and cultural institutions. The agenda features acclaimed speakers from the sector and beyond, covering all aspects of income generation, such as catering, ecommerce, events, filming and venue hire, licensing, publishing, retail, ticketing, and visitor experience. The programme will also explore data-driven insights, strategy, and leadership.
To find out more and book tickets please click here.
Keynote speakers announced
For the first time, this year’s Cultural Enterprises Conference will feature two keynote speakers from outside the sector, providing attendees with access to new, unique, and transferable commercial insights.
Tom Cassidy, director of tourism at Liverpool FC, will kick off the Conference by sharing knowledge from one of the world’s most commercially successful football clubs. This will include how the club is improving its product diversification and developing a larger suite of tourism products to drive non-match day visitor numbers and revenue.
He will describe working in an environment where tourism and the visitor economy are not the primary business, and how his team overcame these hurdles while achieving record visitor numbers and revenue, with room for future growth.
Ashley Alexander, Hasbro Entertainment’s vice president of film, will close the Conference on day two. Alexander develops film adaptations of Hasbro’s portfolio of brands, which includes Dungeons & Dragons, Cluedo, Magic: The Gathering, My Little Pony, and Tonka Trucks. She will discuss how to attract new audiences by offering a variety of products and services to build your brand and generate commercial returns.
Gordon Morrison, CEO of Cultural Enterprises, believes strongly in the importance of peer-to-peer engagement and learning from one another, in the cultural and heritage sector and beyond.
“In today’s challenging economic climate, the Cultural Enterprises Conference is an essential event for cultural organisations. It provides unparalleled opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and commercial insights from both within and outside our sector. This year’s dynamic programme and exceptional networking opportunities make it an unmissable event for anyone looking to drive income generation and ensure the sustainability of their organisation.”
With an expected audience of more than 600 professionals, the two-day conference provides excellent opportunities for networking. In addition to a full schedule of conference sessions, the event includes a trade show curated for the cultural sector.
With over 100 exhibitors offering unique products and essential services that maximise commercial potential, the show highlights emerging designer-makers and includes quickfire talks, a dedicated networking zone, and a quiet area where visitors can unwind and reflect.
Liverpool provides an excellent setting for the Conference, with social events hosted by National Museums Liverpool. Networking and socialising are key components of the event, allowing participants to meet and speak with one another, sharing ideas and viewpoints in an enjoyable and casual environment. These interactions frequently lead to collaborations, partnerships, and shared solutions.
The eagerly awaited presentation of the Cultural Enterprises Awards will take place at the Awards Party on 12 March at the Museum of Liverpool. These are the only awards that focus on honouring achievement, talent, and innovation in cultural income generation. The Awards Party honours the incredible accomplishments and creativity that cultural organisations rely on to endure and flourish. The Finalists are scheduled to be revealed in early February.
Last year, The Association for Cultural Enterprises co-hosted Museum Shop Sunday, an international initiative that brings together more than 2,200 arts, heritage and cultural attractions to spotlight their retail offerings with special events and in-store and online promotions.
