Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), officially opened the 4th Sharjah International Booksellers Conference on Monday.
The two-day event brought together over 750 booksellers, publishers, and literary professionals from 92 countries. Participants gathered to explore innovation, sustainability, and global collaboration in the bookselling and publishing industry.
Organized by SBA, the conference aims to strengthen Sharjah’s position as a global cultural leader. It also addresses key industry challenges, including digital disruption, changing reader habits, and evolving market dynamics.
Furthermore, the event features insightful discussions, expert-led workshops, and exclusive networking opportunities. Over 60 booths are available, helping publishers and distributors connect directly with attendees.
Empowering a resilient future for booksellers
In her keynote address, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi praised booksellers as “guardians of knowledge” and vital links between authors and readers. She urged industry professionals to embrace technology, adopt data-driven strategies, and foster community engagement.
According to her, resilience depends on innovation and the ability to create value-driven experiences. Sharjah remains a committed partner to booksellers worldwide, she stated. Together, we can shape the future of this industry.
She emphasized the importance of unity, shared learning, and adapting to change for long-term success.
Keynote sessions and global insights
The first day featured several keynotes and hands-on workshops by renowned international speakers. Jeremy Cammy from Canada’s Rock the Bus Productions moderated the sessions and served as the master of ceremnies.
Bookselling keeps stories alive. It connects cultures, generations, and ideas, Cammy said in his opening remarks. A notable dialogue took place between Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief of Publishing Perspectives, and Renato Salvetti, CEO of Messaggerie Libri.
Salvetti discussed the company’s strategy for balancing digital and physical book distribution in Italy’s competitive market. He also highlighted their commitment to sustainability and use of solar energy and ethically sourced materials.
In addition, Salvetti shared insights on digital rights management and circular economic practices in publishing.
New joint venture boosts Arabic digital and audio publishing
During the event, Sheikha Bodour also witnessed the launch of a strategic partnership between SBA and Arabookverse UK.
The venture aims to expand Arabic content in the global digital and audio publishing markets. HE Ahmed Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and Ali Abdel-moneim, CEO and Co-Founder of Arabookverse, signed the agreement. The partnership includes annual production of audiobooks and e-books, along with a new Arabic audio studio.
The studio will focus on high-quality content, including podcasts and audiobooks. This collaboration also promotes innovation, protects intellectual property, and supports Arab creators.
Expert workshops and industry-focused roundtables
Throughout the day, attendees participated in focused workshops and market-specific roundtables. There were 14 sessions for international markets and 6 tailored to Arab market needs.
Topics included AI-powered sales, data management, marketing strategies, and bookstore innovation. Sessions also covered building book clubs, working with bloggers, and developing e-commerce businesses.
Additionally, discussions focused on coffee table books, youth engagement, and hosting community events. Each session offered practical insights for booksellers aiming to grow and adapt in a fast-changing industry.
