Daunt, Sturgeon and Miller to headline Scottish Book Trade Conference

Waterstones m.d. James Daunt, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and anti-Brexit campaigner Gina Miller will deliver speeches at the Publishing Scotland and BA Annual Scottish Book Trade Conference 2019.

The conference will take place at Surgeon’s Quarter in Edinburgh on Tuesday 26th February, and will be chaired by Jenny Brown, of Jenny Brown Associates.

Booksellers Association m.d. Meryl Halls said: “We are delighted to be working once again with Publishing Scotland on our annual joint Book Trade Conference; it’s a unique occasion, bringing together the whole Scottish trade, and we know how much booksellers benefit from the time spent together with their bookselling peers, and with the key Scottish publishers.  This year’s programme is better than ever, with relevant, punchy and topical sessions, great authors and social events, and outstanding keynote speakers.  We know how important collaboration across the industry is, and this event is sure to cement collaboration and partnerships for the coming year.”
 
Marion Sinclair, chief executive of Publishing Scotland said: “This is the main event for us to bring booksellers and publishers together during the year. More than ever, we see the need for a united front on the importance of books and ideas in our lives and society. The line-up of speakers reflects the need for increased cultural activism, as well as for running sound, sustainable businesses.”

Key topics discussed at the conference will include retail market trends for the past year (Nielsen Book UK), reaching diverse audiences (Harper Collins) and publishing from page to screen (BBC Scotland and Stuart Cosgrove of Channel 4). Other sessions will cover green bookselling, researching archives, and The Retail Trust. There will also be a Fever Pitch session sponsored by Gardners, in which publishers pitch directly to booksellers. 

The full programmes and booking form can be found here.