London Book Fair has scrapped plans to run an in-person event this year and will run an online event in June that will be free to visitors, with a return to a physical event postponed to 2022.
LBF 2021 will be a digital-only event, offering opportunities for the publishing industry to meet online. The Online Book Fair will bookend the month of June, with conferences taking place during the week of June 7, and a further series of flagship digital events running at the end of June.
More information on the digital event will be released in coming weeks, including options for exhibitors and visitors, as well as details on the content programme, which will address themes relevant to publishers, booksellers, authors, the rights community and more.
LBF Director Andy Ventris says, “’It is with sadness that we postpone the in-person London Book Fair for 2021. Over the last few months, we have explored every scenario for this year’s fair with our exhibitors, stakeholders and Advisory Board. Given the complex challenges and constraints of the global pandemic, we wanted to give as much notice as possible to exhibitors and attendees while making the best possible decision for the publishing industry. With the continued uncertainty around international travel and vaccination rollouts, it has become apparent that an in-person fair for 2021 would not be able to offer the full value to participants that we want to deliver.
‘We are deeply committed to delivering a digital event in June that offers real value and flexibility, and to broaden the reach of the fair to the widest possible international audience. The Online Book Fair will provide the industry with a dynamic digital programme packed with content and opportunities to make new connections.’
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