'Frankfurt in NY' On Hold

By Herbert R. Lottman -- Publishers Weekly, 11/19/2001

The supervisory board of the Frankfurt Book Fair met November 14, but postponed until its next meeting in January a decision on whether to hold its previously announced "Frankfurt in New York" rights fair next April.

Although this meant that the fair, which has aroused some opposition in New York, was still officially on the agenda, a source close to the board said the decision to postpone made it very unlikely that it would now take place, as planned in late April, a couple of days before the BookExpo America show. To begin to organize such an event, with the necessary hotel bookings, at only three months' notice would be extremely difficult, the source suggested.

It was believed that the idea might be revived for 2003, when the BEA would not be in New York and the proximity of dates would not be such an issue. The question then arises as to how useful such an occasion would be if completely divorced from the U.S. show. BEA's Greg Topalian held a meeting with representatives from the fair last week about a possible partnership, but, he told PW, he found it "difficult to become partners with someone after they launch a show without consulting us."

The original plan, formulated by Mike Shatzkin of the Idea Logical Company and Michael Cader of Publishers Lunch, and backed by the Frankfurt fair organizers, was for a two-day tabletop rights event at New York City's Hotel Pennsylvania.