discussions on a range of topics concerning the international market. In
addition, the Audio Publishers
Association will hold its annual
conference on Wednesday at Javits,
and all 400 spots have already sold
out.
Reed’s aim, says event director
Brien McDonald, “is to create a
more concentrated and focused B2B
environment for everyone. The new
format allows for more education
sessions on Wednesday, which cre-
ates more time for attendees to be
on the show floor on Thursday and
Friday. The event is structured to
allow you to do more business in
less time.”
With an eye toward maximizing
publishers’ interactions with their
most important business partners,
Reed instituted a more rigorous professional application process
this year, something McDonald says has elevated the quality of
BookExpo attendees. “We’re committed to having the right
people, companies, and content represented at the event,” he
explains. In addition to booksellers, retailers, and librarians,
McDonald expects a healthy turnout from the media, rights
agents, film and TV personnel, digital solution providers, and,
of course, authors.
McDonald says Reed’s approach of building BookExpo
around “the pillars of discover, engage, and learn has resonated
with booksellers, librarians and retailers,” and he is confident
attendance by these key participants will surpass the numbers
in Chicago last year.
Reed is expecting a record turnout for BookCon, which will
run June 3–4, with projections calling for more than 20,000
consumers attending. While millennial women are expected to
be the largest group at BookCon, Reed has added features to
draw a broader audience.
The reconfiguration of BookExpo and the expansion of
BookCon is intended, McDonald says, to build “an end-to-end
solution where publishers can launch their titles to the trade
and consumers in one place. BookExpo is being recrafted as a
focused professional environment that’s full of opportunities for
trade professionals to connect and have meaningful interac-
tions. BookCon connects fans, brands, and authors through
authentic face-to-face interactions and unique experiences.”
McDonald says more and more publishers and other exhibi-
tors are excited by the new vision, but acknowledges, “We have
more work to do as this evolution continues. We are taking a
very established event with a long history and trying to radi-
cally evolve it in real time. That takes patience to assure all of
our customers are along for that ride.” ■
