BookExpo America announced that event director Steve Rosato has left after 18 years to explore a new venture within the publishing industry. Brien McDonald, director of publisher & studio relations, will assume Rosato’s duties for the upcoming Chicago event.
During Rosato’s tenure with BEA, he introduced a range of innovations, including the Global Market Forum guest of honor program, the Digital Discovery Zone, UPubU, and Blogger’s Conference. He was also essential in creating the IDPF Digital Book Event.
American Booksellers Association CEO Oren Teicher said, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Steve Rosato for many, many years—dealing through all the myriad changes that have confronted the book business. Through it all, Steve’s high degree of professionalism coupled with his commitment to always solving problems was paramount. Steve’s become a good friend to me, to ABA, and to hundreds of indie booksellers all across the country.”
