LBF announces 'substantial' international contingent

The London Book Fair has announced a “substantial” international contingent of 477 exhibitors will be attending this year’s fair from 56 countries, hailed by director Andy Ventris as “a huge vote of confidence" in the event. 

Of these, 156 US companies are currently confirmed as exhibiting at Olympia this year. There are 860 exhibitors in total.  

Organisers said there are “large country pavilions” from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, China and Turkey. All the big four UK publishers will also be hosting stands at this year’s fair, the first in-person edition since 2019. Rights and export sales representatives from several US publishers are expected. 

Last week some of the largest American publishers including Hachette Book Group and HarperCollins US said they would be attending this year’s event only in a “limited fashion”, however the majority of UK trade figures said they were “excited” about the return of the fair, running from 5th to 7th April at Olympia. 

LBF said exhibitors from all sectors of the publishing world are set to attend, including a strong presence from the children’s publishing and STM sectors. Only a handful of locations for exhibitors remain, with the International Rights Centre fully booked with a waiting list. 

Sharjah will be the 2022 Market Focus, with a programme of cultural events celebrating Emirati authors and books being organised in partnership with the British Council. A professional programme has also been designed to enable and enhance business opportunities in the region. Details of both programmes will be revealed shortly. 

Janet Fritsch, from the American Collective Stand, said: “It’s been a long two years and we are ecstatic to be back in London for LBF, as are the 70+ people attending with the USA Pavilion organised by the American Collective Stand and the Combined Book Exhibit.  Everyone we speak to is itching to get back to in-person events and those one-on-one meetings to find the next big deal, reconnect with colleagues and cultivate new contacts.” 

Ventris added: “The fact that we have so many big hitters heading to Olympia in April is a huge vote of confidence in the fair, and a testament to the power of meeting face to face to network and do business. While Covid restrictions have affected the travel plans of representatives from some territories, we are delighted to have such a strong international presence, and as always are thrilled to welcome first-time exhibitors from the UK and beyond to the fair. There is excitement building with less than a month to go until the London Book Fair, and we can’t wait to open our doors to so many international exhibitors, agents and visitors to in April.” 

The London Book Fair also recently came out in support of Ukraine, with Ventris confirming that Reed Exhibitions Limited (RX) which runs LBF, "is following government sanctions and policies in each territory where we operate" and that by "mutual agreement, there is no Russian Pavilion at the London Book Fair 2022".