New Frankfurt Book Fair funding means free cancellation for exhibitors

Newly announced funding from the German government means there is no financial risk to publishers booking a stand at Frankfurt Book Fair this year, organisers say.

An undisclosed amount of funding from the German government’s Neustart Kultur programme, a scheme to boost the country's cultural sector during the pandemic, gives exhibitors financial planning security for the 73rd incarnation of the fair, which runs from 20th to 24th October.

Organisers say this means that exhibitors will bear no financial risk by booking a stand. If the fair is cancelled due to the pandemic, or if the exhibitors themselves are unable to travel due to the restrictions at the time, they will be fully refunded. Exhibitor registration is open until 31st May.

Fair director Juergen Boos said: "Thanks to support from the German government’s federal commissioner for culture and media, we can once again offer our exhibitors special conditions — something we are very grateful for. This assistance gives all of us planning security, so we can work together to realise a successful relaunch this October after a long period without physical events and face-to-face meetings.”

Plans for this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair were unveiled in March, under the motto of "re:connect", featuring "significantly" lower fees for physical stands and supported by an accompanying digital programme.