The Sharjah Distributors Conference will start next September 19

Sharjah, July 2, 2017 – Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of the Sharjah Book Authority, announced that the fifth session of the “Sharjah Distributors Conference” will be held on the 19th and 20th of next September at the Expo Center Sharjah.

This year, the conference brings together hundreds of distributors, book sellers and electronic selling platforms from 98 countries in a specialized professional platform that discusses the reality of book distribution globally and discusses ways to develop supply chains, strengthen partnerships between distributors and publishers, and keep pace with digital transformations in the book selling and distribution sector.

The conference aims to enable those working in the distribution sector to exchange experiences and best practices and explore opportunities for cross-border cooperation, in addition to offering practical solutions to market challenges through a program that includes dialogue sessions and specialized workshops that discuss organizing inventory and display, building sustainable professional relationships with authors and publishers, and maximizing benefit from modern digital communication tools and effective business strategies.

His Excellency Ahmed bin Rakad Al Ameri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “The Sharjah Distributors Conference represents one of the basic pillars of Sharjah’s strategy set by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, towards supporting the book industry globally, as it provides a specialized professional platform that puts distribution issues at the forefront of discussion and works to develop practical solutions that keep pace with the rapid changes in readers’ behavior and sales patterns.”

Al Ameri added: “The conference succeeded, under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, in building a wide international network of relations that brings together distributors and publishers, and contributed to opening new markets and enhancing the efficiency of supply chains in the publishing sector. This year’s session comes as a continuation of these efforts by expanding the base of participants and deepening the dialogue about the future of book distribution in light of the rapid digital transformations and growth of e-commerce, which contributes to enhancing the sustainability of book markets and consolidating Sharjah’s position as a leading global center for the publishing industry.”

For his part, Mansour Al Hassani, Director of the Publishing Services Department at the Sharjah Book Authority, said: “The conference meets the needs of distributors and booksellers and provides them with practical tools in inventory management, display and e-commerce. It provides a space to build close business relationships, and the diversity of participants this year gives an opportunity to compare business models in the markets and exchange experiences and solutions that have proven effective, in addition to exploring new channels to enhance the access of books to readers, as well as empowering participants with knowledge that helps them grow and expand.”

This year’s Sharjah Distributors Conference focuses on the precise operational aspects of the book selling and distribution sector, and its sessions address methods for managing inventory and improving supply within libraries, including techniques for analyzing demand, reducing returns, and raising the efficiency of supply chains.

The conference discusses mechanisms for developing the professional relationship between distributors, publishers and authors and ways to build partnerships based on data exchange and joint planning of publications and marketing campaigns.

Digital tools are strongly present in the program through sessions examining the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics to improve the discovery of titles, customize offers for readers, and raise conversion rates within stores and electronic platforms, in addition to reviewing practical experiences in developing hybrid selling models that combine the traditional store and e-commerce.

The conference pays special attention to redefining the role of the library as an interactive cultural center through sessions that address developing activities within libraries and organizing spaces in a way that enhances interaction with books and expands the readership base, especially among children and adolescents.

The program reviews successful models for managing book clubs, stimulating the reading movement through community initiatives, and linking literary events with sustainable sales strategies.

In a related context, the conference discusses building effective e-commerce projects in the book market, digital marketing strategies, and dealing with social platforms as direct channels for promotion and influence, which reflects a clear trend towards enabling distributors and book sellers to develop their professional tools in a market environment characterized by competition and constant change.

The “Sharjah Distributors Conference” represents a specialized platform that brings together the various parties of the book sales and distribution system in a way that contributes to developing the sector’s efficiency, enhancing business opportunities, and building professional partnerships that contribute to shaping the features of the next stage of the global book industry.

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