PW launches new US trade fair to 'fill BookExpo void'

Publishers Weekly has launched a new US publishing trade fair, following the retirement of BookExpo at the end of 2020.

The US Book Show will debut virtually from 26th to 28th May this year, with attendees to include booksellers, librarians, publishers and literary agents from the US and internationally, according to the US trade magazine.

There will be around five hours of programmed content a day, it said, to facilitate networking and parties as well as to accommodate those tuning in across different time zones.

The pandemic forced ReedPop to retire BookExpo, the largest annual book trade fair in the United States, in December. Organisers said then that they needed to "take the necessary time to evaluate the best way to move forward and rebuild our events that will better serve the industry and reach more people than we were able to before".

Cevin Bryerman, executive vice-president and publisher of PW, said of launching its new trade fair it hoped to fill the "void" that had been left.

"Publishers Weekly brings the leadership, brand and marketing reach into the global industry that will set the stage for the success of the new fair," said Bryerman. "The event fills a void left in the US book publishing industry. PW has the experience, 150 years of book industry expertise and dedication to excellence."

Jim Milliot, editorial director of PW, added: "Having everyone under one ‘roof,’ so to speak, will go a long way toward unifying the industry around an annual US-based event we have all come to rely on for networking, learning about the forthcoming big fall titles and one-to-one connection with booksellers and librarians."

Run via a new, proprietary digital platform, PW said it will be able to facilitate online exhibitors, presentations and networking. There will be events for authors, librarians and booksellers, and a professional programming series to specifically discuss "the state of the industry as the nation begins to emerge from the grips of the Covid-19 pandemic".

PW said it aims to make the event as "inclusive as possible", to be achieved with a "reasonable" price point "on the low end", according to Bryerman. Those interested can sign up for updates about the 2021 show at publishersweekly.com/bookshow.

The new trade show will precede the London Book Fair, which is to take place from 29th June to 1st July in 2021. It was announced in November as Andy Ventris was named the fair's new director that it would move from its usual spring slot "to "provide the best possible opportunity of creating a live event where the publishing industry can reconnect and do business".