In the wake of event cancellations and uncertainty over the continuing global spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus, Reed Exhibitions issued a statement confirming that BookExpo and BookCon will proceed as planned May 27-31, 2020, at the Javits Convention Center in New York City.
In a prepared statement BookExpo and BookCon event director Jenny Martin said “We do not anticipate any changes or delays to our event.”
Martin continued: “we plan to provide a place for you to conduct business in these difficult times,” adding that “We will continue to be take necessary precautions to facilitate an environment for the entire community to unite, make meaningful new connections, and discover new titles.”
Martin said that Reed Exhibitions, parent company of BookExpo and BookCon, and its partners “are monitoring the COVID-19 virus situation daily. We are collaborating closely with the Javits Center and following guidelines and precautions suggested by the U.S Center for Disease Control,” and local New York state and city agencies.
Martin’s statement follows the cancellation of the London Book Fair, which is also managed by a Reed company, and the postponement of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, originally scheduled for the end of March, now rescheduled to be held May 4-7.
“First and foremost, we want to express our concern for everyone impacted,” Martin said, emphasizing that “the publishing industry is a global community, and the well-being of that community is of the utmost importance to us."
“We will continue to monitor the status and guidelines closely. Should anything change we will, of course, promptly keep our customers informed of the action to be taken,” Martin said.
