Sharjah Booksellers Conference opens tomorrow, Sheikh Bodour to deliver keynote address

Publishing and book distribution professionals from around the world will turn their attention to Sharjah on Saturday, as the fifth edition of the Sharjah Booksellers Conference gets underway at Expo Centre Sharjah. The two-day event will bring together 912 participants, including distributors, booksellers and online platforms for booksales from 99 countries.

The conference will open with a keynote address by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority, as part of an opening programme featuring leaders from across the book industry.

The fifth edition presents a diverse agenda comprising four keynote addresses, two innovation showcases, four panel discussions and presentations, as well as 14 international workshops and six Arabic-language workshops.

Together, these sessions will explore practical solutions to contemporary challenges, while sharing international experiences and new approaches by distributors and booksellers.

Digital heft

The conference places digital transformation at the forefront of its agenda, with a focus on helping distributors strengthen revenue streams. Its innovation showcases will explore ways to ‘Maximising Sales with AI Built Websites’, in a session led by experts Lisa Byrnes and Sarah Arbuthnot. Alongside this digital focus, the conference will also explore ways to grow print book sales through a dedicated session moderated by Nour Jarrar, titled ‘Beyond the Shelf: Building Demand for Physical Books in a Digital World’.

The session will offer booksellers strategies that combine the flexibility of e-commerce with the enduring appeal of traditional bookselling.

Recognising the importance of transforming bookstores into vibrant social destinations, Dr. Brigitte Boulad will highlight innovation in physical spaces through a presentation titled ‘Where Books Build Communities: Reimagining the Bookstore as a Cultural Hub’.

The presentation will examine how physical bookstores can attract audiences and strengthen their role within their communities. It will be complemented by a discussion on business expansion through ‘Scaling Without Losing Your Soul: Growing with Purpose, featuring Nadia Wassef and Dr. Boulad, who will share insights from their experiences with participants looking to expand their businesses while preserving their distinctive identity.

The conference will further explore international perspectives on market volatility and business development. Industry leaders will take part in key conversations moderated by Cyrus Kheradi, including Jaime Daez from the Philippines and Adi Ekatama from Indonesia, alongside a session featuring Oleksii Erinchak from Ukraine, moderated by Nadia Wassef.

As part of its focus on professional empowerment, the first day will see the graduation of the first cohort of the professional accreditation pathway under PublisHer, the global initiative launched by Sheikha Bodour Bint Sultan Al Qasimi to help women overcome the professional challenges they face in the publishing sector.

The graduation will be attended by Ian Fairservice, Managing Partner and Editor-in-Chief of Motivate Media Group.

To turn these insights into tangible partnerships, the conference will conclude with practical business development opportunities, including dedicated time for one-to-one business meetings and ‘Meet a Mentor’ sessions. Together, these opportunities will provide participants the opportunities to build connections, exchange knowledge and explore new business partnerships.