Letter to BEA's Steering Committee

I sent the note below to BEA's Executive Steering Committee earlier last week.  After a number of positive exchanges, I thought it would be worth sharing with anyone that is participating in BEA.  I hope this is helpful news. 

Dear BEA Executive Steering Committee:

I am writing with an update for what to expect at BEA 2012.  I am extremely pleased with our key initiatives, feeling that BEA is pointed forward to better serve the industry and provide more value for your investment. 

¡  BEA & Consumers:  The concept of having consumers is more important than the number of consumers, providing a new angle for press coverage, opening the door to readers everywhere to follow BEA, discovering titles at BEA through our video efforts and social media outlets.

o   1,000 consumers attending (Thursday only) are being titled: Power Readers.  

o   There will still be 7,000 to 8,000+ librarians, booksellers, retailers and professionals in attendance at BEA on Thursday 6/07. 

¡  BEA Video Streaming:  BEA will ‘broadcast’ events that include the Book & Author Breakfasts and from the Downtown Stage. The player will have an interactive chat feature and buy buttons to purchase or pre-order titles featured in the Buzz Panels or the Breakfasts.

¡  BEA’s Targeted Attendee Program:   The focus for 2012 was on delivering Museum Store Buyers, Hospital Gift Stores & ABA stores that have not attended in the past 2 years. 

¡  Digital: BEA’s partnerships with the IDPF, PublishersLaunch and revamping the BEA Educational Program will deliver world class content at BEA to educate your staff to bring innovation along with the latest trends into your organizations.

¡  BEA Conference Program:  The on-line tool for BEA Education & Author Search is vastly improved, simpler to navigate, easy to make a custom agenda and find what is useful for individual interests. 

¡  BEA Bloggers Conference:  Moved to Monday June 4^th with new promotional opportunities for authors.  

¡  BEA Global Market Forum Program: Russia:  Russia is presenting an ambitious program at Javits and all over NYC.  CEO’s from the 10 largest Russian publishers will be attending as well as 50 authors and 100+ Russian booksellers and librarians.  Russian GMF Program

¡  There are happenings and events around New York City through New York Book & Media Week, BlogWorld and the ABA.   

There are still minor construction issues with Javits.  Our attendance is tracking well and I am hoping that familiarity with Javits with render this a non-issue. The construction at Javits will be completed by 2013, so this only impacts BEA for this year.

I am eager for the first week of June to arrive and will look forward to seeing you at BEA. I am available anytime - e-mail or call with any questions, comments or concerns

Regards, Steven Rosato Event Director - srosato@reedexpo.com