If a little is good, is more better?

We are putting the theory that if a little is good, then a lot must be better to the test with all that will be happening at BEA this year.   BEA has long been the gathering place for publishing, sort of like being the Big Top - there is something for everyone.   That can be as much of a strength as it is a weakness. The strength being that there is something of subtance for every part of the industry that can benefit by participating in BEA.  The potential weakness is being jack of all trades, master of none for specific niches around BEA.  I will circle back to this....

....First the the big announcement yesterday of the co-location of the BlogWorld East event with BEA.   "By co-locating BlogWorld East with BookExpo America, we are creating the first real convergence of new media and traditional media. The capital of traditional media is playing host to the largest gathering of social media professionals and new media content creators in the world. Both communities have a truly unique opportunity to learn from the brightest minds each has to offer.” explained BlogWorld CEO Rick Calvert. “It’s exciting to think about the potential for new ideas and business opportunities that will result from BlogWorld and BookExpo America happening side by side.”  From my perspective, this is a perfect fit for BookExpo America. We have been building our blogger base and social media has emerged as a powerful force in book publishing and marketing in recent years. We expect this association will strongly benefit our respective attendees and exhibitors for many years to come.

Getting back to my original point, specifically that this can be a strength or a weakness.  BEA's vision is to bring in partners that can truly serve their core audiences complete needs while they can also benefit in all the peripheral opportunities that abound at BEA.  That is why we have the IDPF presenting their Digital Book 2011 program at BEA.  We are equally thrilled to welcome back the super organized Book Bloggers Convention.  The Audio Publishers Association will be holding their program at BEA.  How can I forget the ABA?  They are the foundation and fabric of BEA and deliver a tremendous program.  The Indpendent Book Publishers Association Publishing University is also a terrific program that provides a great service to their members and then has all of BEA available as their dessert.  Lest I forget the great programs delivered by the AAP and the BISG at BEA.  The AAR also delivers a super program.  BEA's focus on international through our Global Market Forum continues to grow in depth and prominence.  We are thrilled to honor Italian publishing for the focus of this year's Global Market Forum.  Not to be forgotten is the CIROBE Remainders Pavilion with the special hours we provide to serve the needs of this important group of buyers and exhibitors at BEA.

This was a  a rambling post, but wanting to share all that will be happening at BEA is a rambling task.  Having so many strong partners that serve the core interests of unique attendee and exhibitor groups that can ALSO create and find opporunities among the whole BEA audience is a great strength.