Sharjah: The 14th Sharjah Publishers Conference, organized by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), will take place at Expo Center Sharjah from November 3 to 5, 2024. This event serves as a precursor to the highly anticipated Sharjah International Book Fair.
As a major event on the global publishing calendar, this three-day event will be a significant gathering for the international publishing industry, bringing together professionals, experts, and thought leaders to discuss trends, challenges, and innovations in the field.
The conference will host 1,065 publishing professionals from 108 countries, marking the first participation of the Central African Republic.
Over three days, attendees will engage in 30 insightful roundtable discussions led by esteemed speakers and experts, aimed at providing valuable perspectives on current industry trends and promoting collaboration among participants.
The opening day will feature keynote addresses from key figures in publishing, including Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, and John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group. Additionally, Chantal Restivo-Alessi from HarperCollins will engage in a live discussion with Porter Anderson of Publishing Perspectives.
A significant highlight will be the announcement of the winners of the 3rd Sharjah Rights Connection Awards, which honor excellence in rights trading, with cash prizes of $2,500 for two Rights Professionals of the Year.
The conference’s opening day will also announce the winners of the “She’s Next in Publishing” initiative, created by Visa and PublisHer, founded by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi. This award honors innovative female voices in publishing, granting the winner a $50,000 cash prize and a Sharjah Publishing City license. All finalists will join a 3-month mentorship program to enhance their business and creative skills.
The second and third days will feature discussions on industry challenges, trends, and networking opportunities through workshops.
The conference will provide valuable networking opportunities and professional development through small-group workshops focused on key publishing topics, including content marketing, audiobook production, AI integration, digital distribution strategies, and sustainability practices.