Sharjah: The Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) has revealed plans for the second annual International Bookseller Conference, building on the triumph of the debut event. The conference aims to provide a comprehensive program for global ecosystem stakeholders, enabling professionals to enhance their skills, discover new commercial prospects, and explore emerging opportunities in the Arab region.
The two-day International Bookseller Conference is scheduled for May 1st to 2nd 2023 at Expo Centre Sharjah, concurrent with the 14th Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (SCRF). The conference will host 383 book distributors from 17 Arab countries and 52 countries worldwide, with a total of 160 and 223 representatives, respectively.
The keynote address at the two-day International Bookseller Conference will be delivered by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, the CEO and Founder of Kalimat Group. Other prominent figures expected to speak at the conference include SBA Chairman Mr. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, businessman Mr. Marcus Dohle, former CEO of Penguin Random House, and Mr. Steve Jones of Kinokuniya UAE.
Attendees can also participate in 18 workshops and roundtables, as well as choose from 15 publisher pitches, all aimed at enhancing skills and exploring specific areas of commercial interest. The conference theme will focus on “Global Perspectives on Shaping a more resilient, prosperous future for Booksellers,” with the added benefit of a matchmaking and networking platform for attendees.
In addition to the workshops and roundtables, the 2nd International Bookseller Conference has created a specialized platform to enable direct sales and facilitate publisher pitches between 15 well-known Arab and international publishers and distributors. The platform will feature prominent names such as Penguin Random House, Wonder House, Austin Macauley, Bonnier/Igloo, Kogan Page, Pan Macmillan, Difference Engine, MMS, Avicenna, Bookland Press, Lightning Source, Aseer Alkutoob, Estifan, Alshamel, and Dar Amnah.
Attendees of the International Bookseller Conference will have access to the program of workshops, roundtables, and pitch presentations on both days of the event. These offerings will be in addition to the networking sessions introduced at last year’s conference.