September song for BookExpo Canada in 2009? Have your say
An idea that’s been tossed around for the past couple of years got another push today, as BookExpo Canada owner Reed Exhibition Companies unveiled a proposal to move the convention and trade show to the fall.
At a morning meeting with exhibitors and association representatives, Reed management suggested several changes to the trade show: that it run in early September, that the program include public events with high-profile authors, and that the trade show be devoted to the public for one designated day. Reed plans to consult with the industry over the next month and a half before making any firm decisions, but if the mixed reaction on the trade show floor Monday was any indication, consensus will be a longshot.
In any case, the proposal does reflect a dissatisfaction with the current state of BookExpo Canada, on the part of Reed as well as exhibitors. BookExpo managing director Scott Temple says this year’s show has shrunk by 8% in terms of floor space, and that if the show shrinks another 10% to 15%, it will be a money-loser for the firm.
The proposal raises a huge number of questions, both philosophical and logistical; watch Q&Q Omni’s news page this week for a full report, with more details and reaction.
In the meantime, we want to hear from publishers and booksellers in the comments section of this post. Is a September show a good idea? What needs to change about BookExpo – or not? What do you get out of the show, and what do you want that you’re not getting? What would make the show more useful to you?
close the lights the party is over.
I attended and worked the show this past four days…I found that people were of mixed minds about the show. Some of the booksellers I know on the floor were a little bored, they were distressed over the fact that the trade show has shrunk the past few years, and some of the attendees (and even some of the convention centre staff) commented on how disoirganized the show was. Volunteers evaoporated, there were few giveaways and contests, and show management had a very bad habit of hiding upstairs in their show office or somewhere onsite, while leaving outside agencies to handle irate people at registration, with no one to appeal to for help. This show can and must be run better than it is. It’s a shame Reed owns the show; I would recommend a different management team otherwise.
I think we’re all asking ourselves (again!) what the purpose of the show is. We all know that not much buying happens on the show floor these days, and it’s definitely not the venue for rights sales. Costs make it hard for booksellers outside of Toronto to attend, and our limited supplies of expensive galleys often get scooped up by floor staff rather than buyers. So it becomes an industry obligation and social event more than anything else - and a very pricey one at that.
I’m all for moving the show to September and for adding a public component (err, something other than Booked). Throwing open the doors to the public may help to raise the profile of the industry in this country; showing people what happens behind the scenes might just get them excited about publishing. Lord knows we need all the help we can get.