Seminar on International book fairs – benefits & best approach

-Spotlight on the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair

A seminar on International Book Fairs – Benefits & Best Approach, was recently organised by All About Book Publishing and German Book Office (GBO), New Delhi – jointly. With a rapid pace of technological advances, the reading culture of students and other readers has been altered in a positive way. New avenues have cropped up that have enhanced the popularity of printed publications worldwide. Research indicates that the new avenues have added readership by nearly three percent of the printed books. Infact, more books are being read now. Recently, there was a research by publishing services company, Publishing Technology, that millennials are more likely to read printed books than e-books. And what’s more? The personal touch is still of vital importance for millennials who would rather acquire printed books from chain book shops (47 percent) as opposed to online retailers (39 percent).

With so much happening in the industry, book fairs form a critical marketing event for not just launching of books, but also to facilitate the negotiation of the international sale of rights and licences. Book fairs play a great role in not only encouraging the reading habit among people of all age groups, but also helps in wider readership for our books. Exhibitors can take the opportunity to obtain information about the publishing market, to network, and to do business. Prashasti R astogi and Shabnam Srivastava from GBO, New Delhi, gave a spotlight on the upcoming Frankfurt Book Fair, scheduled to be held from October 14-18, 2015. Shabnam shared the new hall structure and the new fair concept with the attendees and also outlined the various options available to publishers/ printers to exhibit in the fair.

Anuj Chawla from Dreamland shared his experience at the Frankfurt Book Fair. “Frankfurt Book Fair is one of the biggest international fair. I first visited the fair as a visitor and later exhibited in the India Pavilion. We now exhibit as an independent publisher,” he said. Giving a few tips to the newcomers to the show, Anuj shared that prior planning and punctuality is very important to meet prospective clients at the fair. He also appreciated the new hall structure which will bring Indian publishers close to rest of the show. “Indian quality and pricing is very comparative and hence Indian publishers can truly benefit from this fair,” he said.

Ramesh Mittal, chairman, CAPEXIL, outlined the various options how publishers/ printers/pre-media service providers can exhibit at the fair efficiently. There was an interactive Q&A session, where Prashasti and Shabnam clarified the queries of the participants.

The event was attended by around 35 people, including publishers, printers and pre-media service providers.