Frankfurt looks forward to 'very successful' fair

20.08.10 - Victoria Gallagher  in The Bookseller

The ash cloud chaos that marred this year’s London Book Fair has contributed to a "distinct growth" in exhibitor numbers at Frankfurt Book Fair 2010.

Fair organisers have said in terms of exhibitor numbers all signs point to a "very successful and stable" fair, which will take place on 6th–10th October.

Press officer Katja Böhne said: "The industry appears to be seized by a new spirit of optimism and interest is extremely vibrant. We continue to receive many enquiries and new booking requests are coming in steadily. Compared to last year, we have already recorded distinct growth in the categories of fiction and non-fiction, education, children’s and young adult books and in the non-book category."

Böhne added: "The ash cloud during the London Book Fair made it perfectly clear to the industry just how important book fairs are, even in the age of countless social networking platforms. Personal contact and face-to-face conversation are simply irreplaceable. This aspect, along with the gradual economic upturn worldwide, has certainly contributed to the very good exhibitor numbers."

As previously reported, bookings for the Literary Agents & Scouts Centre are up 2% year on year, making it the largest ever since LitAg was first launched over 30 years ago.

New features at this year’s fair include Frankfurt Sparks, a digital initiative to "unite the worlds of publishing, technology industries, media and the internet culture". Sparks will include Frankfurt Hot Spots, exhibition platforms for technology and digital companies, and Frankfurt StoryDrive, exploring ways that books, film, television, games and other content industries are using to get their content to consumers.