Officials at BookExpo America have designated Saturday, May 1, as "Independent Publisher Day" at the forthcoming convention set to run April 30-May 2. According to BEA show manager Courtney Muller, the purpose of the new program is to highlight the importance of independent publishers to the industry and to encourage attendees to visit their booths.
Among the events planned for May 1 is a luncheon panel to discuss the opportunities and obstacles faced by independent publishers. Panelists are to include Robert Friedman, president of Hampton Roads, with author Neale Donald Walsch; W. Drake McFeely, president of W.W. Norton, with author Michael Lewis; and Peter Osnos, CEO and publisher of PublicAffairs, with author Neil Baldwin. The Association of American Publishers will also offer independent publishers a special membership price if they join the association on that day.
BEA officials said that exhibitors will receive information about participating in Independent Publishers Day through the mail in March.
