Trade Shows: BookExpo/BookCon

Trade shows are an important part of the publishing industry. Books are marketed to industry professionals, such as distributors and booksellers. Additionally, trade shows typically have seminars and presentations related to improving the industry and the business of publishers. Finally, industry professionals make contacts and network with others.

The largest trade show in the publishing industry for North America is BookExpo America. This year (2016) BEA is in Chicago on May 11–13. BEA is the best trade show to see new books and authors, meet other industry professionals, and learn about trends in the publishing industry. Publishing professionals from around the world will be attending. Those attending include professionals from publishers, including independent publishers; retailers and booksellers; libraries; and those who manage rights for motion pictures and television as well as subsidiary print and digital distribution. BookCon, which follows BEA on May 14, is a consumer trade show similar to BEA.

Tin Whiskers Publisher will be exhibiting our inaugural title The Ration Card at both BEA and BookCon via the Independent Book Publishers Association in booth U1551. Stop by to see this historical fiction that tells the story of the young war bride Josephine Troyer as she begins working in a war industry at the beginning of World War II. The Ration Card is authored by Eric K. Augspurger.

Tin Whiskers Publisher is a member of the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA). IBPA’s mission is “to lead and serve the independent publishing community by providing advocacy, education, and tools for success.” IBPA is a not-for-profit membership organization serving and leading the independent publishing community. Founded in 1983, it is the largest publishing trade organization in the United States. IBPA members pledge to uphold the organization’s code of ethics.