BookCon Launches With The 2014 BookExpo in The Javits Center This Month

Details

Parent Category: Expos and Conventions

Category: Previews

Published on Monday, 12 May 2014 08:23

Written by Brad Balfour

For a long time it has been suggested that Reed Exhibitions, producers of the BookExpo America held at the Javits Center from Thursday, May 29 - Saturday, May 31, 2014, drive consumer interest in the publishing industry and book culture. So to transform this trade-only event into a combined consumer/pro experience, Reed -- which also produces New York ComicCon -- has initiated BookCon as part of this year's Expo. 

The company has outlined details about a consumer-focused third day of the trade show, unveiling it as BookCon which is described as a "show within a show."

BookCon is being developed by ReedPop, a division of the company dedicated to pop culture shows including New York ComicCon (which drew 130,000 attendees in 2013). Lance Fensterman, one-time director of BEA who now oversees ReedPop as global senior VP, said his aim is to deliver “a massive audience of people interested in reading content” to publishers.

Fensterman said BookCon will have little resemblance to the “power reader” events that BEA ran on the final day of the trade show for the past two years.

“It will be a whole new ball game,” Fensterman explained, adding that ReedPop will use its experience building events that appeal to a younger, non-trade demographic--specifically those between the ages of 20 and 35--in crafting BookCon.

BookCon takes place on the last day of BEA, May 31. Publishers who take part in BookCon will be assigned to one area of the Javits Center, while exhibitors who want only the trade to have access to their booths will be in another area.

To help draw consumers, BookCon’s headline event features a panel with media stars/comedians Amy Poehler and Martin Short. Best selling author John Grisham and Marvel Comics legendary founder Stan Lee are also scheduled. The full list of  participating authors can be found on the BookExpo website: www.bookexpoamerica.com or more directly http://www.thebookcon.com/

Aside from the new public-oriented events, BookCon will not look any different from the general BEA floor from previous years. This, however, is expected to change in 2015.

Reed hopes to draw 10,000 visitors to BookCon this year, with tickets priced at $30. During BookCon, publishers will be allowed to give away, and sell, titles from their booths, and from the autographing areas. 

Bookcon
May 31, 2014

Javits Center
New York, NY

• < Prev
• Next >