On 9 November 2026, the GBD Innovation Club Asia Centre in Beijing CBD hosted its first event following its inauguration: the Beijing–Liverpool Economic and Trade Cooperation Meeting. A Liverpool business delegation led by Bill Addy, Chief Executive of Liverpool BID Company and a member of the Club’s Board of Directors, met Chinese companies and institutions to explore commercial partnerships and investment opportunities.

The meeting was the first member-led business matchmaking initiative under the Global Business Districts Economic and Trade Cooperation Network Mechanism, signed by eight Club members during the Beijing CBD Forum in June 2026. Liverpool BID Company and Beijing CBD were among the founding signatories. This initiative put the framework into practice, using member districts as gateways for companies seeking to enter international markets.

Organized with the Beijing Investment Promotion Service Centre, the Beijing CBD Administrative Committee and Liverpool BID Company, the event brought together organizations from professional services, urban development, sports, culture and tourism, food and beverage, and property.

Beijing’s investment promotion authorities outlined foreign investment policies, followed by presentations on the business environment and development prospects of Beijing CBD and Chaoyang District. The Liverpool delegation presented potential areas of collaboration and shared experience in district management, tourism and sports. Company introductions and sector-based, one-to-one discussions allowed participants to explore specific interests.

Participants included Ms Chen Dai, Deputy Mayor of Chaoyang District and Chair of GBD Innovation Club; Mr Meng Fanyong, Deputy Director of the Beijing Investment Promotion Service Centre; and Mr Bill Addy.

The wider Liverpool delegation brought together Liverpool BID Company, Everton Football Club, Ki Partnerships and Mowgli Street Food. Chinese organisations represented at the meeting included Beijing Automotive Group, Beijing Chaoyang Culture & Tourism Development Group, Crazy Sports, Deloitte China, The Executive Centre, HKI Group, Kreab, Pop Mart, Reignwood Group and Sino-Ocean Group.

The event followed the inauguration of Liverpool’s China Desk in London in September 2026. The next phase will focus on following up on the business discussions and establishing regular exchanges between Beijing and Liverpool.

Liverpool BID Company’s visit illustrates how the Asia Centre can support members’ international activities by bringing delegations, institutions and businesses together in one location. As GBD Innovation Club’s first physical office and meeting space in the Asia-Pacific region, it provides a base for professional exchanges and project development.

For Club members and their business communities, the Centre offers an opportunity to explore markets in Beijing and the wider region. Its facilities, local institutional connections and business matchmaking functions can support investment discussions, partnerships and joint initiatives.