LBF to run as digital-only event

This year’s London Book Fair (LBF) will run as a series of digital-only events at the beginning and end of June, after having previously been rescheduled to run from 29 June to 1 July due to the Covid-19 pandemic, reports the Bookseller.

According to the Bookseller, the trade had cast doubt on the need for a physical fair, with companies including HarperCollins saying they wouldn’t attend the fair if it went ahead.

LBF organisers said digital conferences will take place in the week beginning 7 June, followed by a further series of ‘flagship digital events’ at the end of the month. The program aims to shine a spotlight on key areas of the fair, ‘creating the opportunity for a larger global audience than ever before to come together in a flexible way to do business, network, learn, and share ideas’.

‘It is with sadness that we postpone the in-person London Book Fair for 2021′, said LBF director Andy Ventris. ‘Over the last few months, we have explored every scenario for this year’s fair with our exhibitors, stakeholders and advisory board. Given the complex challenges and constraints of the global pandemic, we wanted to give as much notice as possible to exhibitors and attendees while making the best possible decision for the publishing industry. With the continued uncertainty around international travel and vaccination rollouts, it has become apparent that an in-person fair for 2021 would not be able to offer the full value to participants that we want to deliver.’

More information about the program and options for exhibitors and visitors will be released in coming weeks.

Category: International news