Old and New Mix at BEA '06

by Staff -- Publishers Weekly, 5/29/2006

Technology's evolving role in book publishing and selling, a potentially strong fiction fall list and the future of rights in the open market were some of the issues that emerged from this year's BookExpo America. The return to Washington, D.C., was greeted favorably by most convention-goers, although the split-level layout of the hall—with the major trade houses downstairs and children and religion publishers on the second level—drew many complaints.

The lure of Washington is reflected in attendance figures. According to show organizer Reed Exhibitions, 22,366 "verified" attendees made the trip to D.C., down from 27,421 last year in New York, but considerably better than the 18,213 industry professionals who attended the 2004 show in Chicago. Book buyer numbers were off—7,324 compared to 7,701 in New York and 7,492 in Chicago.

Next year's BEA is set for June 1–3 in New York City; 2008 will be in Los Angeles; it's back in N.Y.C. in '09—and 2010 could see a return to Las Vegas.