Future Beijing book fairs will be hybrid, say organisers

Organisers of the Beijing International Book Fair say future editions of the event will be a hybrid of digital and physical elements after the 2020 online Smart BIBF was hailed as a success.

According to organisers, trade agreements between Chinese publishers and overseas presses, including intentions, rose by 13.2% to hit 6,788 this year at the online-only fair. Nearly 38,000 books were uploaded using the Smart Rights Link tool, allowing publishers to present titles, network and negotiate.

Fair director Liying Lin (pictured) said: “In future, BIBF will make full use of offline and online opportunities to form a new diversified, innovative and versatile ecosystem.”

Around 1,400 exhibitors from 97 countries and regions took part in the digital-only event, 200 of which were new to the fair. The UK had the biggest contingent, with more than 40 companies registered and 1,000 titles were uploaded.

Publishers The Bookseller spoke to during the event, which kicked off on 26th September, were generally positive about their experiences though some complained of technical difficulties making business occasionally difficult and time-consuming.

Lin said: “This has been a unique experiment in marrying the best of the physical fair with world-beating online technologies, enabling us to offer a holistic, year-round fair. 

“We have used virtual reality, augmented reality and other technologies to create superb panoramic exhibitions where visitors can enter the real-life exhibition hall to take part in activities without leaving home. We have also made full use of network interconnection to create a complete ecosystem covering the entire publishing industry. We have used all these new technologies for effective international co-operation and exchange, bringing a true transformation to BIBF and the way it interacts with its audience." 

She added: “It has been a difficult year for everyone in the publishing industry but we have been buoyed by the success of BIBF online and the transactions done as a result.
 
“Business in China is virtually back to normal — publishers are meeting face to face once more — but we know that this isn’t the case for the majority of our exhibitors.  We are therefore pleased to have provided this service at such a difficult time.”

The Smart Rights Link will remain open all year round and is free until 31st December 2020.