5/31/2009 |

More author programming provides more “buzz” opportunity; Content and connectivity are critical to event “purpose and viability” says Fensterman.

Norwalk, CT, May 31, 2009:  BookExpo America (BEA) officials have released attendance numbers for this year’s convention which took place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, May 28 – May 31, 2009.  The final number of registered visitors including booksellers, media, authors and exhibitors is 29,923.  The final number of verified attendees, which does not include exhibitor personnel, is 12,025.  The final book buyer number for 2009 is 7,066.  The remaining verified attendees (4,959) fall into the following categories: licensing and rights professionals, non-editorial media, authors, and film and TV production personnel.  The verified attendee number represents a 30% increase over the equivalent number when the show was in Los Angeles in 2008 and it represents an 11% decrease in the equivalent number when the show was in New York City in 2007.

Additionally, officials note that a record 1,700 members of the media attended the show this year, which is up by 41% when the show was last in New York City, and which sets a new record in this critical area.  Media presence at BEA has been an important priority as organizers have heard from a number of sources that the convention is an important and effective publicity and promotional opportunity for them.  The show has put in place a number of changes to increase awareness for its authors and publishers, facilitate communication for the media, and position itself for future growth in this area.    

Organizers also note that participation from ABA member stores has remained consistent over the last 2 years, showing only slight variations of approximately one or two dozen members.  Additionally, large attendee contingents from the three major national retailers (Borders, Barnes & Noble and Books-A-Million) were in attendance, as was Amazon.com.   Buyers from Hastings, Urban Outfitters, Target, Costco, Wal-Mart and other major nationwide retailers also attended the convention. 

BEA officials are enthused by the response to its efforts to extend the storyline for Fall breakout books.  As was noted in the trade media, the show has created many new venues enabling greater discovery of new authors and titles.  Nowhere was this more evident than the new Author Stages.  "Our Author Stage initiative proved successful in our attempt to create buzz for a greater a number of titles," states Lance Fensterman, Vice President and Show Manager for BEA.   "We want to continue to build on the experience of meeting authors by creating more platforms where people can connect and discuss issues that are important to them.  We are all about content and connectivity and this is critical to the event’s purpose, viability, and mission. Most importantly, we want this interaction to be taking place on the show floor and I think we took some major steps in this direction this year."

One of the most significant changes to BEA in coming years, which was a direct outgrowth of conversation with the Advisory Board as well as a range of other book industry professionals, will be a shift in date and format.  BEA will remain in New York City through 2012 and will now occur on a shortened schedule during the work week.  The next BEA in 2010 will begin on Tuesday, May 25th with a full day of conference and special events, and with exhibit hours from 4pm – 6pm.  Show hours on Wednesday, May 26th will be 9am – 6pm and on Thursday, May 27th 9am – 5pm.  Officials note their commitment to making BEA an even higher level meeting ground in future years by providing even more focus in a shortened schedule.

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