She emphasized that the pandemic highlighted the importance of cooperation to face challenges
Bodour Al Qasimi for Publishers and Distributors: Together we go further
President of the International Federation of Publishers: "Distributors spare no effort to find creative ways to enhance reader interaction with writers."
The participants discussed the best ways to develop their business.
From the source
Ahmed Al-Amri: "We look forward to opening a platform to present experiences and dialogue between pioneers of book distribution."
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Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the International Publishers Association, sent a message to book distributors and bookstore owners around the world, hosted by Sharjah, during the first international distributors conference of its kind in the world.
She said: "You are not alone in your great efforts to promote the culture of reading and build the awareness of societies and individuals towards the importance of reading. Publishers stand by you and provide you with full support to complete your journey to reach greater results," citing the African proverb, "Alone we go faster, but together we go further." .
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, in her speech opening the two-day conference organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, with the attendance of more than 385 distributors, publishers and booksellers from 56 countries added: Efforts in light of the challenges of keeping pace with readers’ changing needs and behaviors, in addition to the growth in the use of digital means in daily life, since the beginning of the pandemic, the role of cooperation has emerged in ensuring our flexibility to meet these challenges,” noting that, through her interaction with workers in the publishing industry around the world, she sensed their desire to Cooperation and solidarity with peers.
For his part, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority Ahmed Al Ameri said: “By organizing this conference, the first of its kind in the world, we look forward to opening a platform to present experiences and dialogue between the pioneers of book distribution, embodying the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah. And His Highness’s directives to enhance the volume of the book’s contribution to making our future.”
He added: "At the Sharjah Book Authority, we proceed in our various programs from a well-established cultural platform with an international presence and impact, in which we believe that promoting cultural mobility by supporting translation, honoring creators and investing in the infrastructure of the publishing industry is an integrated process that starts from Sharjah and its impact extends to various countries of the world." .
Participants discussed best practices, successful case studies, and new and innovative steps they are taking to grow and develop their businesses.
They listened to a number of experts about best practices of community engagement and their impact on sales volume and the importance of digital channels that include websites, social media platforms, e-newsletters and e-commerce.
Successful experiences
The first day of the International Distributors Conference witnessed a panel discussion that reviewed the requirements for running a successful bookstore or bookstore.
She provided valuable advice on benefiting from partnerships with stakeholders in the publishing sector.
This was followed by a session in which the participants listened to Egyptian book distributor Nadia Wassef, who shared the lessons she learned, the challenges she faced and the opportunities she benefited from while running a successful bookstore in the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
The opening day of the conference concluded its activities with an introductory tour during which participants in the conference were briefed on the experience of the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone.
They participated in a series of communication sessions in which they exchanged their expertise and experiences and explored new opportunities in the markets and ways to enhance joint cooperation.
• 385 distributors, publishers and booksellers from 56 countries are participating in the conference.
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