BEA Moves 2010 - 2012 Trade Shows to NYC

Includes Shortened Midweek Schedule

On Tuesday, February 10, BookExpo America announced that the annual book industry trade show will be held at New York City's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center through 2012. The show was previously scheduled to take place in Washington, D.C., in 2010 and Las Vegas in 2011.

Beginning in 2010, BEA will also feature a shortened, mid-week schedule.

This year's BEA, already scheduled for New York, will take place as planned, on Friday, May 29 - Sunday, May 31, with a full day of conferences and educational programming on Thursday, May 28, before the exhibit floor opens.

In 2010 the show will be held from Tuesday, May 25, through Thursday, May 27; in 2011, from Tuesday, May 24, through Thursday, May 26; and in 2012, from Wednesday, May 30, through Friday, June 1. The first day of programming each year features a Conference/Special Events and Show Preview, with exhibit hours from 4:00 p.m. - 6: 00 p.m. The exhibit floor will be open from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. the following two days, respectively.

"We feel that this is a move that is timely and responsive to industry needs," said BEA Vice President and Show Manager Lance Fensterman in a statement. "It makes sense on a multitude of levels, not the least of which is that it will provide the majority of our exhibitors with a cost reduction, as well as more flexibility in managing their presence at the show. We wanted to take decisive action in setting our future course, and this is our first major step towards a new vision for BEA for years to come."

Fensterman added, "Our goal in planning the show this year and beyond has been to focus on quality, not quantity. This has become a theme for us and shortening the show dates and trying to make the show fit into people's schedules conveniently and without being a burden is a positive step in this direction. We want to increase the quality of our programming by stripping away unnecessary sessions, and we want to extend some programming to the show floor so that we have a thoroughly interactive and engaging atmosphere from the moment the show begins to the moment it concludes."

BEA said the changes are a result of considerable discussions with a cross-section of book industry executives and professionals about what is most necessary to make the trade show relevant and that discussions will continue.

"Our recent announcement about our joint efforts with the ABA to coordinate our programming and activities at Javits is certainly an indication of the direction we're going," said Fensterman. "We want everyone under one roof, in a highly charged and stimulating atmosphere where there is enormous potential for creating influence, buzz and general excitement about books. I am confident that we have the basic game plan in place, and now we need to move forward in a number of directions to make it work." Organizers note that several more announcements reflecting BEA's strategic plan are expected in the near future.

The dates and locations for shows after 2012 remain open, according to BEA.