BEC task force named
Reed Exhibitions has officially announced the names of the industry players on the task force looking into the future of BookExpo Canada. According to a news release issued on June 28, the members are: “Paul McNally, McNally Robinson Booksellers; Steve Budnarchuk, Audreys Books Ltd.; Carolyn Reid, Indigo Books & Music, Inc.; Susan Dayus, Canadian Booksellers Association; Claudio Pascucci, McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited; Linda Scott, Random House of Canada Ltd.; Colleen O’Neill, Canadian Publishers’ Council; Jackie Hushion, Canadian Publishers’ Council; Judy Brunsek, Kids Can Press Ltd.; Kim McArthur, McArthur & Company; Krys Ross, Association of Canadian Publishers; Elaine Smith, Reed Exhibitions; and Dahlia de Rushe, Reed Exhibitions.” McNally will chair the task force.
The news release also laid out some of the task force’s goals, inlcuding increasing overall attendance, improved “cost-benefit balance” for publishers and booksellers, and increased media coverage. All of this has come about because some publishers have been unhappy with the return on their investment in the annual trade show. Some of the rumoured ideas for changing the fair range from moving the event to the fall to opening the show to the public.
We should have a better idea of what might happen after July 12. According to the release, the task force will issue “an industry-wide survey on June 30 and review survey findings and develop recommendations during the Task Force’s next meeting scheduled for July 12.” As always, Q&Q is deeply interested in any and all information our loyal readers may have on this story, especially the survey due out on Friday. Drop us a line at drowe@quillandquire.com or call 416-364-3333 x.3113.
Related links:
Click here for the first story about the potential BookExpo changes from June 2
Click here for our June 6 story on the pre-BookExpo debate
Click here for our June 14 story on the creation of the task force
