The Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi opens the fourth Sharjah Booksellers Conference on April 7. Image: SBA, Nabs Ahmedi
By Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief | @Porter_Anderson
‘The Ability To Evolve and Adjust Is Not Just a Skill’
Those world publishing players and news-media members who have not seen the Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival (this year set for April 23 to May 4) will not have realized that the cavernous hall at Expo Sharjah in which they were seated this morning (April 7) is the great hall in which the Sharjah Animation Conference (May 1 to 4) will place its brilliantly colored exhibitions, instructional workshops, and live orchestral concerts.
Instead, this Sharjah Book Authority‘s biggest Sharjah International Booksellers Conference yet was convened by the SBA chair Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi with an audience of more than 750 participants from 92 nations.
Sharjah Booksellers Conference is one of the SBA’s growing portfolio of relatively young events that offer both focused instruction and guidance and top-level views of an international industry in flux during times of enormous political, economic, and cultural upheaval—a lifeline to those who are new to the fray and carefully programmed trend-and-issue analysis to experienced leaders in their own national and regional markets.
As Al Qasimi said, the fast-growing annual attendance figures for this event “reflect more than just growth. They speak to the real and growing need in our industry for a space like this.
“We in Sharjah are proud to provide it, a place where experience meets innovation, where global perspectives come together, and where the future of bookselling is actively shaped.”
Among challenges faced by the bookselling world, she said, are:
- “Discoverability
- “Competition from online retailers
- “Digital disruption
- “Supply-chain issues
- “And evolving consumer habits that demand constant agility and sharper insight.”
Al Qasimi went on:
“In moments like this, I am reminded of the words of Japanese philosopher Kakuzo Okakura, who wrote, ‘The art of life lies in a constant readjustment to our surroundings. This idea speaks directly to our time.’
“For booksellers, the ability to evolve and adjust is not just a skill. It is a necessity.”
‘So Many Good Stories and Inspiring Examples’
The Sharjah Booksellers Conference assembly listens to host Jeremy Cammy’s welcome on April 7. Image: SBA, Nabs Ahmedi
Before the Milan-based CEO of Italy’s Messaggerie Libri, Renato Salvetti, would take the stage to speak with Publishing Perspectives in a keynote conversation on that company’s newest innovations in distribution, Al Qasimi would clarify that one of the challenges for all publishing, not just bookselling and distribution, is to find and nourish “this spirit of adaptation” requiring “that we must recognize the other side of the story, one that is full of opportunity and promise.
“Around the world,” she said, “booksellers are finding new ways to strengthen their positions by building vibrant communities around their spaces.
“Many are thriving by carving out niche markets and curating thoughtful, distinctive offerings,” she said. “Others are successfully blending the physical and digital, using omni-channel strategies to meet readers where they are. We are also witnessing a steady and sincere return to the emotional experience of physical books. And those who understand how to turn that experience into something immersive and memorable are transforming it into lasting value.”
Of signal importance to Al Qasimi and her support team—led by SBA’s CEO Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, with Mansour Al Hassani, the director of publisher services, programming specialist Emma House, and communications coordinator Tony Mulliken—are positive stories of progress, new depth, and enduring focus.
“There are so many good stories and inspiring examples,” she told her intently listering audience, “and over the next two days, you will have the opportunity to hear from many of them.
“We will talk about how to handle pressure without compromising identity, and how to lead with clarity, innovation, and empathy. In Sharjah, we remain committed to supporting you.“Bodour Al Qasimi, Sharjah Book Authority
“These success stories remind us that bookselling today requires more than a love for books and culture. It requires strategic thinking, financial literacy, digital fluency, customer insight, community leadership, and yes, a deep and enduring passion for the written word.
“We designed this year’s program with all of that in mind,” she said.
“We will talk about how to handle pressure without compromising identity, and how to lead with clarity, innovation, and empathy. In Sharjah, we remain committed to supporting you. Supporting booksellers and publishers around the world is central to our mission. We are your partners in success and in progress.”
She left the stage and joined the house to hear Renato Salvetti speak, offering—in the crisp, concise format that she honed during her years as president of the International Publishers Association (IPA)—a quick list of suggestions:
- “Make the most of this moment
- “Learn from one another
- “Share generously
- “Challenge assumptions
- “Push boundaries
- “Build new friendships.”
“Together, we can shape a future for bookselling that is not only sustainable but essential, vibrant, and inspiring.”
Bodour Al Qasimi, Ahmed Bin Rakkad Al Ameri, and Sharjah Book Authority board members listen at the Sharjah Booksellers Conference opening, April 7. Image: SBA, Nabs Ahmedi
More coverage is to come from Sharjah Booksellers Conference. Thalia’s Michael Busch of Germany is in conversation on April 8 at the conference with Publishing Perspectives.
More from Publishing Perspectives about the Sharjah Booksellers Conference is here, more on PublisHer is here, and more on Sharjah and its market is here.
Publishing Perspectives is the International Publishers Association’s world media partner.