Book & LIBRARY Expo America? UPDATE
Update: “ALA is most definitely not selling its trade show to Reed.” ALA Exec. Director Keith Fields told Library Journal, but did say, “BEA and ALA have been talking about ways in which we might work more closely together in the future.”
Initial reactions by librarians on Twitter to the idea of a combined show were positive.
Rumored for years, but intensifying in the last few months, it’s now official that Reed Exhibitions is in talks to take over both ALA shows, Annual and MidWinter, as reported by Publishers Weekly. Several years ago, Reed bought the former American Booksellers Association show, turning it in to Book Expo America. The Association continues to run educational programs in conjunction with Book Expo.
Further, the PW story says that the ALA Annual and BEA shows may be joined. PW notes the shows are “very different.” Well, there’s an understatement. BEA, of course, is dominated by publishers, while ALA floor space features library vendors, many of them technology companies.
If this comes to pass, ALA would gain much-needed revenue from the sale, librarians would have access to a wider range of big-name authors, more galleys, and would not have to choose between attending the two shows. BEA, which has been downscaled over the years, would stand a better chance of surviving. If there are losers in the deal, it’s independent booksellers, who will compete for attention with the 15 to 20 thousand librarians who regularly come to ALA.
The two shows have a different approach to choosing locations. BEA has been sticking to New York, to make the show less costly for the majority of publishers, while ALA changes venues, to make the event more accessible to a broader range of libraries. The PW story says, “If a deal is reached, Reed is believed to favor locating BEA and the ALA annual meeting in 2012 in Chicago.”
Nothing is definite yet; Reed’s only comment is that talks are in progress. Library Journal reported on the PW story, and is seeking comment from ALA.