Welcome to BEA

Simply put, Bookexpo America is what happens when the world’s number one publishing market holds the world’s second largest international book fair.  But there’s something more that has to happen to attract over 35 thousand people and 2 thousand exhibiting companies than just simply stating the simple facts.

Bookexpo America is a unique fair for the publishing industry.  Much more than just a fair to get business done, BEA is as much a pop culture event as it is an educational experience; the show will cater as many rights deals as it will bookstore orders; the exhibit hall will be filled with as many librarians getting arcs as it will excited fans getting signatures.  Simply put, Bookexpo America is a big event.

Taking place from May 29^th to June 1^st at the Los Angeles Convention Center in California, BEA has a full slate of educational events, panels geared towards all facets of the industry, author signings, and a full exhibit hall with over 2 thousand exhibits.  There’s also a fully booked International Rights Center.

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The 2008 Bookexpo America might just be the best BEA yet.  Once again at the helm of the whole extravaganza is show director Lance Fensterman. Lance was kind enough to answer some questions for us recently regarding the show itself, the show planning, and some of the more pressing issues the public wants to know about.  With no further delay, here’s what Lance wanted to share:

Combined Book Exhibit:  Welcome back for your sophomore Bookexpo America!!  Has some of the stress been lifted since you’re now a seasoned pro at this?

Lance Fensterman:  Far be it from me to correct you, but in fact this is my third BEA at the helm, and I can’t say it’s gets easier but I’m less freaked out!  This is like throwing a big party and then worrying if everyone is going to come.  The third time around I feel more confident that indeed a few people will show up!

CBE:  BEA obviously changes a little each year as the industry continues to evolve.  Were any of the changes for this year’s BEA prompted because there were things that just didn’t work last year?  If so, any examples?

LF:  We do our best to create a show that is a reflection of our industry each year, and you see that reflected in our conference programming in particular.  This year we will have a number of sessions highlighting the Chinese market, Graphic Novels and of course more digital developments.  I don’t know if I’d say we changed anything because it didn’t work, but yeah, I am always looking at improvements.