575 publishers from 92 countries participate in the International Distributors Conference in Sharjah

Sharjah, March 24 / WAM / Sheikha Badour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, announced the fourth session of the “International Distributors Conference” on April 7 and 8 in the “Expo Center Sharjah”.

The event is the first of its kind in the world and brings together more than 575 participants from distributors, publishers and book sellers from 92 countries in the region and the world providing them with a platform to discuss a number of central issues in the publishing and distribution industry in addition to enhancing communication and consolidating partnerships as well as exploring business opportunities and exchanging visions.

The conference aims to enhance cooperation and cognitive exchange, explore new opportunities in the book distribution sector and develop innovative strategies for the growth of international book markets through a set of dialogue sessions, workshops and letters offered by a group of experts and specialists in publishing and distribution worldwide.

His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakad Al -Amiri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said that although modern technologies have summarized the distances and approached the markets, the book distribution sector is still facing great challenges, which seeks the “International Distributors Conference” to address it since its inception by offering effective solutions and enhancing dialogue between distributors, publishers and book makers in the world, and thanks to the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, member of the Supreme Council The directives of Sheikha Badour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, the conference has become a global platform that contributes to the development of the book distribution sector, expanding the horizons of publishing, providing opportunities for publishing houses and distributors to reach new readers in various markets.

Al -Amiri added that the organization of the conference comes within the framework of Sharjah’s commitment to enhancing the book industry and providing a stimulating environment for the growth of the publishing and distribution sector and keeping pace with the rapid digital transformations and represents an important opportunity to enhance cooperation and acquaintance between the various actors in the book distribution system and find innovative solutions to ensure the sustainability of the global book of the book, which contributes to the prosperity of the publishing industry and the consolidation of Sharjah’s position is a major incubator for cultural and cognitive industries at a level the world.

The conference this year focuses on the most prominent trends that make up the features of the book market and discuss the role of artificial intelligence in the book selling sector and how it can be used to enhance the discovery of books, increase sales, improve operational processes, and deals with modern marketing strategies through social media and the role of books on Instagram in promoting literature and enhancing readers’ association with literary content.

In light of the changes taking place in the book industry, the conference discusses the importance of data management in the publishing and distribution sector and how to use it in improving customer experience and developing sales strategies, as well as reviewing the mechanisms of diversifying offers and activities within libraries to attract new groups of readers and highlight the importance of books that are placed in waiting halls and on reception tables and their role in building new cultural societies.

The conference also discusses ways to enhance the role of cultural events in supporting the publishing sector through a dedicated session on the impact of literary festivals in stimulating the cultural movement and its role in creating a deeper interaction between the public and writers, as well as providing workshops on the development and management of book clubs as an effective tool to enhance interactive reading and ways to encourage children and adolescents to read through innovative strategies in libraries and schools.

Since e -commerce has become one of the main axes in the publishing sector, the conference discusses how to build successful and sustainable electronic trade projects in the book market and reviews best practices to organize successful cultural activities in libraries and their role in promoting public presence and enriching the experience of librarians.

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