ADSO Conference and Awards 2025

ADSO Conference and Awards Evening 2025
& IIMC International Symposium

Thursday 11 September (arrive 10.45am)
Friday 12 September (depart 3.45pm)

Venue: Hilton Liverpool Central, 3 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool L1 8LW

About the event

This year’s conference includes a full programme of events offering opportunities for personal development, knowledge sharing and networking.

You can take part in facilitated discussions, workshops and our very popular Q&A panel, with a team of experts giving their opinions on topics chosen by you. This year we have Sue Gray, Baroness Gray of Tottenham and Jacqui McKinlay, Chief Operating Officer of Liverpool City Council, as our plenary speakers.

Our sponsors will be exhibiting over the two days of the conference, giving you an opportunity to talk directly to them about the services they offer. We will also be joined by a delegation from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), who are attending as part of their 2025 Study Abroad tour and annual symposium. This brings an international element to this year’s conference experience.

You can enjoy an evening drinks reception followed by our ADSO Awards evening, with three course dinner. We will be saying farewell to John Austin, ADSO’s inaugural Chair, and welcoming Peter Sass and Katherine Harclerode as our new Chair and Vice Chair. A Beatles tribute band will provide post-dinner entertainment, followed by access to a stunning late bar area exclusively for ADSO delegates.

Early bird rates available now

Book your place

Conference Programme

Information for IIMC delegates

About the ADSO Awards

The ADSO Awards 2025 are an opportunity for us all to get together and celebrate the great work that people in our Democracy teams are doing.

This year, we have some new categories to celebrate – Rising Star and Democracy Project of the Year. You can also nominate for our Team of the Year award and the John Lynch Distinguished Service award.

We’ve also made it easier for you to nominate.

Find out more and make your nomination by Monday 9 June 2025 at midnight:

ADSO Awards 2025

About our venue

The Hilton Liverpool Central, 3 Thomas Steers Way, Liverpool L1 8LW

Built on the site of the Old Customs House, with a design that represents the meandering River Mersey on the Albert Dock, The Hilton Liverpool Central is in the centre of the Liverpool ONE retail and leisure complex. The location has easy access to transport links and cultural attractions.

The hotel has a bright, spacious, self-contained conference hall and suite with breakout rooms for our workshops, facilitated discussions and for our evening drinks reception, dinner and awards ceremony. The spectacular Imagine space adjoins the hotel, with exclusive late bar facilities for ADSO delegates.