Solid NYC Art Book Fair Despite Early BookExpo, Heavy Rain
Calvin Reid -- Publishers Weekly, 6/14/1999
The second annual Art Book Fair had to overcome both BookExpo America's early scheduling and a weekend of pouring rain, but exhibitors were generally satisfied and look forward to next year's show.Dan Farrell, of Antique Collectors Club, organizer and co-sponsor of the Art Book Fair, told PW that this year's attendance was about 730 -- very close to last year's number -- with around 100 registrations left unclaimed. Farrell noted, however, that there were fewer European publishers exhibiting because of the long time gap between this year's BookExpo (early May) and the Art Book Fair (May 23-24). "The overseas people couldn't hang around," he observed, "and the weather didn't help," pointing to lengthy torrential downpours on both Sunday and Monday to explain the unclaimed registrations. Next year the ABF will be held the weekend following BookExpo, and Farrell expects European attendance to rise.
Exhibitors at this year's fair were positive despite some complaints that both traffic and business were "slow." Most acknowledged that the weather had hampered turnout; nevertheless, they all expect to return next year when the fair will move to a larger hall within the Metropolitan Pavilion on W. 19th St. in Manhattan. Exhibitors were also quick to point to the number of national buyers for chain and online retailers, museum store buyers and even textile manufacturers who appeared.
Avery Lozado of Distributed Art Publishers, a distributor and publisher of a wide range of books on art and culture, told PW that the fair was "an important meeting place." Megan Mayo of Sterling said, "We're doing high-end art books, and we need this market." Charles Whang, sales director at Watson-Guptill, noted, "We want to have a presence here. This show will be very big in a few years." Most of the European exhibitors who did come seemed pleased. According to Stephan Gotz of the Stuttgart-based Daco Verlag, "We have U.S. distribution, but this gives us direct contact with stores and museum buyers. It's a good occasion."
Once again exhibitors suggested to PW that the fair could use more promotion and advertising. Some proposed the show go to a Monday/Tuesday schedule and consider longer hours for each day. Farrell's response to PW: "Well, there always should be more promotion." He noted that "out-of-towners like the Sunday start. The New York City crowd -- and they're a sizable and important crowd -- want a business-week start. We're trying to give everybody something."
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