Members of the Independent Book Publishers Association and PubWest have voted to combine into a single association operating under the IBPA name, effective July 1, 2025.
PubWest will cease to operate on June 30, 2025. In advance of the combination date, PubWest members will be migrated into IBPA's database, and IBPA will add a new category of membership for established independent publishers. PubWest programs will be incorporated into IBPA offerings, with a portion available exclusively for established independent publisher members, and former PubWest members will continue to benefit from current PubWest programs, as well as IBPA programs and benefits.
Current IBPA members, meanwhile, will experience no changes to their current benefits while receiving new ones. IBPA members who meet the criteria will also be able to join the established independent publisher membership category.
"Now more than ever," said IBPA CEO Andrea Fleck-Nisbet, "independent publishers need a community where we can come together and, with a collective voice, push for better market access and distribution options, fairer terms and transparency from our trading partners, and the validation of diverse and legitimate publishing models."
Amy Barrett-Daffin, PubWest's board president, said: "We've been talking for years about rebranding, trying to have more of a national presence, trying to change our name, and trying to grow membership. The smartest thing to do is to join forces with another organization to have more of a national presence and expand our reach and our offerings."
The IBPA and PubWest boards approved the proposed combination in their respective meetings in August and September. Earlier this month, PubWest and IBPA membership voted separately in approval of the combination.
More information about the combination can be found here.