BookExpo, Unbound and BookCon Cancelled for 2020

ReedPop has officially cancelled the 2020 editions of BookExpo, UnBound and BookCon, which were originally scheduled to be held May 27-31 at the Javits Center in New York City and were postponed until July 22-26 because of the Covid-19 crisis. "As the pandemic has continued to escalate in the United States and we see the challenges it has brought for the book industry, it is clear that 2020 is no longer a viable option for this community," the company said. The shows will next take place in spring 2021 in New York City.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce that we will not be holding BookExpo, UnBound and BookCon in 2020," event director Jenny Martin said. "From our publishers, booksellers and sidelines exhibitors to our authors and librarians to our book loving fans, we know how many people are impacted by this decision and we continue to stand with you all to help bring the book community together and support one another. We are now looking forward and can't wait to return with a stronger show than ever in 2021."

The shows were dealt a strong blow when the Javits Center was recently converted into a temporary hospital, and the Big Five publishers and Ingram said they would not be attending the postponed events. New York City has been the epicenter of the pandemic in the U.S.

In the meantime, the shows are creating new and different ways to connect with exhibitors, attendees and readers to celebrate books virtually. ReedPop recently produced a BookCon Read-a-Thon, which offered readers live author readings of their work and discussions, each to benefit independent bookstores through donations to the #SaveIndieBookstores campaign.

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