The Online Book Fair by LBF to run in June, with full-scale in-person event postponed to 2022.

The London Book Fair 2021 will go ahead as a digital only event, creating opportunities for the publishing industry to meet online, following the impact of the global pandemic. The in-person format will return next year to its usual Spring dates of April 5-7 2022.

The Online Book Fair will bookend the month of June, with conferences taking place the week of the 7th, and a further series of flagship digital events running at the end of June. The focus will be to shine a spotlight on key areas of the Fair, creating the opportunity for a larger global audience than ever before to come together in a flexible way to do business, network, learn, and share ideas. More information on the digital event will be released in coming weeks, including options for exhibitors and visitors, as well as details around the content programme, which will address themes relevant to publishers, booksellers, authors, the rights community and more.

Andy Ventris, Director at The London Book Fair said: “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.

“We want to do whatever we can to support the international publishing trade as we transition to a post-pandemic environment and The Online Book Fair will allow us to do that this year, but we look forward to celebrating the resilience and creativity of our industry with you all in-person at the 2022 Fair in London.”

Exhibitors:
All contracted exhibitors for 2021 will have options to choose from regarding their 2021 investment. For maximum trade visibility, exhibitors can put a portion of this year’s investment into participating in the Online Book Fair and roll over the remainder into 2022, when it can be then topped up as appropriate. Alternatively, exhibitors may decide to roll over their entire investment into the physical 2022 event with a price freeze applied.

Visitors:
Visitors will be able to access The Online Book Fair free of charge.
The LBF sales team will be in touch directly with exhibitors to discuss their exact requirements and the opportunities across The Online Book Fair.

Submissions to the Insights Seminar programme have been kept open given the announcement. For more information visit:
https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/forms/seminar-submission.html
Registration will open for visitors and press in coming weeks; attendees can register interest at https://www.londonbookfair.co.uk/en-gb/forms/register-interest.html
LBF will return to its usual Spring dates on April 5-7 2022.

ENDS

Dates
29 June - 1 July 2021
THE LONDON BOOK FAIR, OLYMPIA, LONDON
For further information, and to request interviews, please contact: Amelia Knight Amelia.Knight@midaspr.co.uk

Notes to editors:
THE LONDON BOOK FAIR (LBF)
The London Book Fair (LBF) is the global marketplace for rights negotiation and the sale and distribution of content across print, audio, TV, film and digital channels. Taking place in a fully digital format for 2021 as The Online Book Fair by LBF, it is a unique opportunity to explore, understand and capitalise on the innovations shaping the publishing world of the future. LBF brings you direct access to customers, content and emerging markets. The Online Book Fair by LBF 2021, the 50th Fair, will take place throughout June, with a series of flagship events running from 29 June - 1 July 2021 at www.londonbookfair.co.uk.

About Reed Exhibitions Global
Reed Exhibitions is a leading global events business. It combines face-to-face with data and digital tools to help customers learn about markets, source products and complete transactions at over 400 events in 22 countries across 43 industry sectors, attracting more than 7 million participants. Our events leverage industry expertise, large data sets and technology to enable our customers to connect face-to-face or digitally and generate billions of dollars of revenues for the economic development of local markets and national economies around the world. Reed Exhibitions is part of RELX, a global provider of information-based analytics for professional and business customers. www.reedexhibitions.com

About RELX
RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. The Group serves customers in more than 180 countries and has offices in about 40 countries. It employs over 33,000 people, of whom almost half are in North America. The shares of RELX PLC, the parent company, are traded on the London, Amsterdam and New York Stock Exchanges using the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.
The market capitalisation is approximately £33.1bn, €38.4bn, $46.7bn.
*Note: Current market capitalisation can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors