Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority, inaugurated the fifth edition of the Sharjah Distributors Conference today at the Sharjah Expo Centre. The event sees participation from 912 attendees, including distributors, publishers, booksellers, and representatives from e-commerce platforms across 99 countries, alongside industry specialists in the book sector.
The opening ceremony was attended by Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, the CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, members of the Authority’s Board of Directors, and several officials and representatives from cultural institutions, publishers, and libraries from the United Arab Emirates and around the globe.
Exploring Challenges in the Book Industry
Over the course of two days, the conference will explore practical challenges associated with delivering books to readers, covering topics from inventory management and in-store display organisation to e-commerce and digital marketing analysis. It provides a platform for participants to exchange experiences from different markets, engage in direct business meetings, and learn about models that can help libraries and distributors enhance their operations and connect with a broader reader audience.
In her opening speech, Her Highness Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi stated, “As technology transforms the way content is produced, discovered, and trusted, the question of what makes distributors and booksellers indispensable becomes increasingly urgent. I believe the answer starts with our promise to deliver the right book to the right reader, ensuring that readers find books that enrich their knowledge, challenge their thinking, surprise them, and open new avenues for understanding the world. In Sharjah, we take pride in this promise and uphold it as we embrace the opportunities that technology offers.”
Building Bridges in the Publishing Industry
She continued, “Our mission remains to connect books with readers and build bridges between publishers and book distributors across markets and cultures so that ideas and stories reach further. Therefore, investing in people and developing their capabilities is not an option but a fundamental part of our preparedness for the future of this industry.”
During the opening ceremony, Her Highness recognised the first graduates of the “Publish Her” programme, presenting them with completion certificates. Ian Ver Service, Managing Partner and Executive Editor of Motivate Media Group, which collaborated with “Publish Her” on this pioneering initiative, was also present.
Empowering Women in Publishing
“Publish Her” is a global platform aimed at enhancing women’s visibility and professional development within the book publishing sector by connecting women in the industry across various markets and expanding learning, collaboration, and career advancement opportunities. As part of this mission, the platform launched the “Publish Her Pathways” programme to support women in the early to mid-stages of their careers, providing them with the experiences and tools needed to progress to leadership roles in publishing and media organisations.
Jaime Dais, founder and General Manager of Fully Booked in the Philippines, delivered a keynote address detailing his journey, which began with selling specialised architecture books and gradually expanded into a network of bookstores featuring a diverse range of titles. He highlighted the importance of understanding local readers and adapting to market changes, enhancing store efficiency, and meeting the rapid growth of e-commerce.
Sharing Resilience Amidst Challenges
The conference also featured Oleksii Erinchak, founder of the Sense Library in Ukraine, who shared his experiences of opening his first library in Kyiv just two months before the war. He discussed how the library evolved into a community space and cultural centre, despite challenges such as air raid sirens and power outages. Erinchak expressed his commitment to establishing a larger library on the city’s main street to promote reading and Ukrainian culture, stating, “Continuing the library’s operations amid these conditions was a daily challenge, but we wanted to ensure that books, reading, and culture remain visible and present in the heart of the city.”
The session also explored the use of artificial intelligence in developing library websites, transforming them into more effective sales channels reaching readers. Expert Sarah Arbuthnot stated, “AI can assist booksellers in enhancing the online selling experience, understanding purchase patterns, and improving customer journeys, thereby expanding libraries’ reach to a broader audience through digital channels.”
Workshops and Professional Development
Throughout the conference, the “Publish Her” pavilion hosted a session titled “Voices from the First Cohort of the Publish Her Pathways Programme,” featuring participants Fathima Al Maqreb Al-Muhairi, Mariam Al Rifa’i, Pahal Khanna, Maha Qatish, and Janan Gulshan.
Additionally, a session titled “Beyond the Shelves: Building Demand for Print Books in a Digital World” explored the evolving relationship between print books and digital platforms, offering insights on engaging readers and generating demand for printed books in an increasingly digital marketplace.
The “Publish Her” pavilion also provided a professional programme to support women in the publishing sector, featuring panel discussions, practical workshops, and professional photography opportunities. The “Meet a Career Mentor” programme allowed participants to book individual sessions with female leaders in the sector to discuss their career trajectories and gain practical insights in areas such as management, editing, marketing, sales, and business development.
The first day of the conference launched a series of professional workshops, which attendees selected based on their business needs and the nature of the markets they operate in. The workshops covered topics related to inventory management, demand analysis, optimising book displays in libraries, reducing returns, enhancing e-commerce, building professional relationships with publishers and authors, and leveraging data and digital tools for marketing and reaching readers.
These workshops provided attendees the opportunity to discuss the challenges their businesses face directly with experts, comparing solutions implemented in various markets and exploring actionable strategies in sales, distribution, and library management. The first day concluded with one-on-one business meetings between distributors, booksellers, and publishers.
The fifth edition of the Sharjah Distributors Conference will continue tomorrow with a professional programme aimed at further discussing the challenges of book sales and distribution and enhancing direct communication among professionals in both Arab and global book markets.