Saying Goodbye to Publishing Business Conference & Expo, Hello to New “Live” Events Series
Like so many other industry trade shows, the Publishing Business Conference & Expo has seen many iterations. More than a decade ago it was a shrine to the power -- and profitability -- of print. The show took up three floors at the New York Hilton Hotel showcasing the latest and greatest equipment pressmakers, finishers, and printers had to offer publishers looking to drive their ink-on-paper-based publishing businesses forward.
A little over four years ago, Apple's iPad officially changed the publishing game -- throwing our industry into a constant state of flux -- and became the latest in a series of disruptive technological advancements affecting the content business. But publishers had already begun diversifying, evolving, reorienting, and adapting to the future -- a future that increasingly relied on digital readerships and revenues and the never-ending pursuit of the next new revenue channel.
As the industry changed, so, too, did the Publishing Business Conference & Expo. In past years we went to great lengths to present a cross-sectional view of the challenges and opportunities affecting publishers in the book, magazine, and STM sectors.
But, more recently it's become increasingly clear to us what this industry thirsts for: highly relevant peer-to-peer education, interaction, and networking in a targeted, intimate environment.
With that in mind, and armed with the overwhelming feedback of many of PBC's loyal sponsors, exhibitors, and attendees from over the years, we're announcing the launch of a series one-day events consisting of very targeted, vertical content and audiences.
Our two Book Business Live! Events in Q4 of 2014 will present strategies and insights that will help book publishers make their print and digital products more profitable. Whether it's growing ebook revenues or cutting costs through digital printing, these will be must-attend events for leaders in book publishing.
Our two Publishing Executive Live! Events will take a deep dive into profitable digital publishing, disruptive technological advancements on the horizon, and new revenue models media companies are adopting to thrive in this landscape.
"I'm optimistic about the future of publishing, which seems to be finding its footing once again, and optimistic about our ability to better serve our audience with these one-day events," says Book Business and Publishing Executive magazines Editor-in-Chief Denis Wilson.
"These new, more targeted events will allow us to explore the issues of the day with more depth than a horizontal, buffet-style event. I look at it like a deep dive article, where I can devote more attention to hand-picking the best sources that will inspire our audience. Also, a more intimate setting will offer one thing our audience is always hungry for: face time with the industry peers that are paving the way for a very bright future for the publishing market and content brands."
If you have questions about attending or sponsoring upcoming events, please contact Matt Steinmetz, publisher of Book Business and Publishing Executive magazines, at msteinmetz@napco.com.
Matt Steinmetz is the publisher and brand director of Publishing Executive.