BookExpo America 2009 Seen as Productive Show
By Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly,06/01/2009
With the nation still in a recession and book sales sluggish, the publishers, booksellers and other industry members did not know what to expect from this year’s BookExpo America, but most came away feeling the trip to the Javits Center was worthwhile. “We did what we came to do,” said Michael Kerber, president of Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari. “We even wrote a couple of orders,” his partner, Jan Johnson, chimed in.
Fears by some exhibitors that the Javits would be empty were unfounded, as total attendance was put at 29,923. Excluding exhibitors, total “verified attendees” was 12,025, up 30% from last year in Los Angeles, but down 11% from the 2007 New York show. The verified attendee category includes book buyers (7,066), plus licensing and rights professionals, non-editorial media, authors, and film and TV production personnel. (The perception that the aisles were narrower this year than in the past, an observation reported in Show Daily, was incorrect. BEA executives said the aisles were the same width.)
The changes implemented by BEA executives this year met with generally favorable reactions, including the two Author Stages which added more interaction between authors and booksellers on the convention floor. The education panels, especially the Thursday slate, met with good reviews, and the jump in media attendees was appreciated by exhibitors.
Despite all the discussion about e-books and other digital initiatives that has dominated the industry in recent months, the chatter on the convention floor was largely about books. The upcoming fall season is considered to be the strongest in years, with a book buyer at one of the major chains declaring, “there’s something for everyone in the seasons to come.” The fall lineup features titles from both commercial and literary authors.
Another reason for the lack of digital talk on the floor was that technology is already a part of trade publishing. Google’s Tom Turvey noted that at earlier BEAs he was focused on recruiting publishers into the Google Book Search program but, with most BEA exhibitors already part of Book Search, the 2009 convention was devoted to explaining upgrades to the service, including plans to offer e-book sales by the end of the year. One of the new exhibitors at the show, Interead, was using swim-suited models to promote its new reader Cool-er. Despite some tepid reviews, Gary Ling, operations director for Interead, said the company will begin shipping devices to the U.S. this week. Ling said that, given the positive conversations he had with retailers at BEA, he expects stores to be carrying Cool-ers before the end of the year.
HarperCollins’s decision to use e-catalogues and (mostly) e-galleys met with a generally favorable response, said president of sales Josh Marwell. HC was still handselling the Symtio e-galleys on Sunday, he noted. Marwell was happy with this year’s event. “I think Lance deserves a lot of credit for re-energizing the show,” Marwell said, adding that 2009 was clearly “a transitional year.”
More change is planned for 2010 with the most drastic being a switch to a mid-week event. The show, which will remain in New York, will begin on Tuesday May 25 with a full day conference and special events; the exhibit hall will be open from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Exhibits will be open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday.
Click here for more BookExpo America 2009 coverage from PW.
Post a comment Return to article View other article discussions
| Submitted by: | Robin Walsh 6/4/2009 1:25:33 PM PT |
| Location: | Stone Ridge NY |
| Occupation: | Librarian |
I must agree with Gail that I was disapointed by no-show authors and running out of books at ticketed lines but I found plenty of positive energy. Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America and Harlequin Press booths were vibrating with positive energy. Ronald Damien Malfi was getting pretty feisty pushing Shamrock Alley at the Medallion Press booth. No celebrities? I saw Julie Andrews, Craig Ferguson, Emeril Lagasse and Julianne Moore (who btw looks totally stunning in person). Since before there was a recession or Kindles I have been bringing my own water and granola bars to BookExpo. I spend my money on books.
| Submitted by: | Ellen Richmond 6/2/2009 12:42:36 PM PT |
| Location: | Maine |
| Occupation: | bookseller |
I was at BEA. I arrived on Thursday for the Day of Education which is always interesting, energizing, and useful. I love the give and take of ideas. Through the weekend, I attended several great events where I had the opportunity to listen to and/or meet and talk with authors, illustrators, publishers, and other booksellers about books. I did hear some kvetching on the floor about there being fewer hand outs; but after 30 years of book selling and a dozen shows (since before it was BEA), I don't care about the freebies. They're heavy and hard to carry. Most of what I carry home is in my head: wisdom (gleaned from the wonderful people who share my love of books and book selling); enthusiasm (I'm so lucky to do what I do!); and recharged batteries. I had a very successful BEA this year because of all the wonderful people with whom I chatted. THANK YOU!
| Submitted by: | Torsten Adair 6/2/2009 5:57:31 AM PT |
| Location: | NYC |
| Occupation: | Bookseller |
There were fewer books at this show (no orphans left
behind in the shipping area Sunday evening). Booth and
table signings moved quickly (fifteen minute wait at
most).
For attendees... the map is available online two
months ahead of schedule. There's a nice electronic
planner, and if you like paper, the program book has a
map inside. (I'm die-hard... I walk every aisle of the
show.)
As for food... I think all convention centers
overcharge. Myself, I buy a box of breakfast bars and
snack on them during the show, so I do not have to stop
for lunch.
The big publishers need to return to the sales floor,
preferably in open square booths. Harlequin had the
best, with a big signing table that had five authors
autographing at one time. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
gets the "remainder" award... their meeting room
display was packed up Saturday night.
| Submitted by: | GAIL FOSTER 6/1/2009 3:00:50 PM PT |
I found that the lack of ARCs i.e. running out of them even at ticketed events was awful....too many long lines everywhere..too many really good events scheduled at the same time and not enough galleys...no show authors... too many hard cover books....outrageous prices for horrible quality of food (we got food poisoning from chinese food!!!). The 2007 BEA was crowded but well run...much more so than this year's fiasco! This was not a happy BEA...there was a lot of positive energy missing!
| Submitted by: | LISA PELTO (lisa@conciergemarketing.com) 6/1/2009 1:03:00 PM PT |
| Location: | Omaha, NE |
| Occupation: | Publishing consultant |
Although I agree that Sunday was kind of a bust at BEA, I don't think having the exhibits open only on Wednesday and Thursday next year will be a good thing for the attendees. This is going to mean that Friday becomes another weekday travel day for most, other than the all important New York attendees, and will preclude some librarians and stores from coming or sending someone. Yes, Sunday was horrible... but rather than making the show only convenient to those from New York, they could have come up with a more creative solution. Also, this year's floor was confusing and had no flow. Many of the exhibitors to the right of the remainders area were having trouble getting anyone to visit their booths. From where I stood, I didn't see anything beyond the remainders area. Fortunately, I heard the speakers and made my way back there, discovering more booths of interest.
I loved the stage and panel discussions... Quite interesting every day and a nice addition. Why don't they make Sunday open to the public (complete with signings, but without the giveaways-- make them buy the books!)
Post a comment Return to article View other article discussions
