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Backgrounder: BookExpo America 2015

Xinhua, May 27, 2015 Adjust font size:

BookExpo America (BEA) 2015, the largest annual book trade fair in the United States, will be held at the Javits Convention Center in New York City from Wednesday to Friday.

A leading book and author event for the North American publishing industry, the three-day expo this year offers over 600 authors, hundreds of new titles, hundreds of exhibitors, four Author Stages, and access to the latest digital technologies at a Digital Discovery Zone, according to information from its official website.

China, an emerging power in the international publishing industry, has been invited as the Guest of Honor for BEA 2015's Global Market Forum (GMF) program, which features three full days of education sessions, exhibits and off-site cultural events.

The country is sending some 500 professionals from about 150 publishing companies and groups to this year's BEA, and will host nearly 130 special events as the GMF guest of honor, including publishers' summits and forums, promotion of translated Chinese books, and art exhibitions. Twenty-five renowned Chinese authors will also have dialogue and interaction with their foreign peers and readers during the expo.

BEA, which dates back to 1947 and was then known as the American Booksellers Association Convention and Trade Show, is usually held in a major U.S. city in late May or early June. It offers the largest selection of English language titles and is also the largest gathering of booksellers, librarians, retailers and book industry professionals in North America.

Leading publishers from both the United States and other parts of the world use this occasion to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, communicate with colleagues and readers, and trade copyright. Statistics from last year showed that BEA 2014 had a total verified professional attendance of around 11,000.

BEA has been held in New York City for seven consecutive years since 2009, while its GMF program has featured Spain, Italy, Russia and Mexico as the guest of honor since 2010.

The book fair is scheduled to move to Chicago next year and Poland is taking over as the next GMF guest of honor. Endite