The Online Book Fair by LBF to run in June, with full-scale in-person event postponed to 2022.
The organiser of the London Book Fair has confirmed that the 2021 event will go ahead as a digital only event.
The in-person format will return next year to its usual spring dates of 5-7 April, 2022.
The Online Book Fair will bookend the month of June, with conferences taking place the week of the 7th, and a further series of flagship digital events running at the end of June.
The focus will be to shine a spotlight on key areas of the fair, creating the opportunity for a larger global audience than ever before to come together in a flexible way to do business, network, learn and share ideas.
More information on the digital event will be released in coming weeks, including options for exhibitors and visitors, as well as details around the content programme, which will address themes relevant to publishers, booksellers, authors, the rights community and more.
“It is with sadness that we postpone the in-person London Book Fair for 2021,” commented Andy Ventris, director at The London Book Fair. “Over the last few months, we have explored every scenario for this year’s fair with our exhibitors, stakeholders and Advisory Board. Given the complex challenges and constraints of the global pandemic, we wanted to give as much notice as possible to exhibitors and attendees while making the best possible decision for the publishing industry.
“With the continued uncertainty around international travel and vaccination rollouts, it has become apparent that an in-person fair for 2021 would not be able to offer the full value to participants that we want to deliver.”
Andy continued: “We are deeply committed to delivering a digital event in June that offers real value and flexibility, and to broaden the reach of the fair to the widest possible international audience. The Online Book Fair will provide the industry with a dynamic digital programme packed with content and opportunities to make new connections.
“We want to do whatever we can to support the international publishing trade as we transition to a post-pandemic environment and The Online Book Fair will allow us to that this year, but we look forward to celebrating the resilience and creativity of our industry with you all in-person at the 2022 fair in London.”
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