International Booksellers Organizations to Convene at Hotel ABA

The European Booksellers Federation (EBF) and the International Booksellers Federation (IBF) will be holding a combined annual conference at Hotel ABA, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn, from Monday, May 25, through Thursday, May 28. Booksellers from 21 countries, including Finland, South Africa, France, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Belgium, Ireland, and Spain, will take part in the program, which will focus on the digitization of books and its effect on bookshops. The international visitors will also take part in ABA's Day of Education on Thursday at the Javits Center, meet with the ABA Board, visit the BookExpo America trade show floor, and tour New York City bookstores.

The EBF and IBF opted for New York as their conference site at the suggestion of ABA CEO Avin Mark Domnitz. "Two years ago Avin Domnitz invited EBF to come to BEA to hold its annual conference, which EBF accepted with great pleasure," said Francoise Dubruille, the organizations' director. "Our objective is to provide attendees with a good view of what is happening on the American book market." The conference will include decision makers, mainly from Europe, directors of national booksellers associations, CEOs, and others.

"We're happy that our international bookselling colleagues decided to join ABA members at this year's BEA," said Domnitz, "and we look forward to sharing experiences and concerns."

EBF/IBF booksellers want to get a firsthand look at how the U.S. book industry is evolving, said Dubruille. "To learn what is happening in the book trade and, in particular, in bookselling in the U.S. is hugely interesting to booksellers and directors from national booksellers associations from other countries, as it is likely to help them build up strategies in their own countries."

EBF/IBF members will also be visiting several area bookstores. Dubruille said, "We are delighted to be in touch with the Independent Booksellers of New York City (IBNYC) who kindly offered to organize three short bookstore tours in three different neighborhoods around NYC in Brooklyn, lower Manhattan, and upper Manhattan.

"All this has been made possible thanks to the excellent relationship IBF has with its member, ABA, and its very efficient and committed staff," said Dubruille. "We are looking forward to meeting and thanking them in person at the end of this month."

On the conference's agenda for Tuesday, May 26, are an IBF General Assembly, an EBF General Assembly, and two education sessions -- "Digitization: Where Do Americans Stand," presented by Len Vlahos, ABA chief program officer, and Mark Nelson, digital content strategist for the National Association of College Stores, and an examination of the IndieBound movement, presented by ABA's Domnitz.

ABA members are welcome to attend the conference on May 26. Interested booksellers should make a reservation via e-mail to [email protected]. --Karen Schechner