Frankfurt Book Fair is on, with extensive virtual programming

The 72nd Frankfurter Buchmesse will take place on the fairgrounds in accordance with a detailed health and hygiene plan which will reflect the regulations mandated this autumn by the State of Hesse, guaranteeing the safety of visitors, exhibitors and staff attending the fair. The hygiene plan developed jointly by Frankfurter Buchmesse and Messe Frankfurt has been approved by Frankfurt’s health officials and other public authorities.

“Frankfurter Buchmesse is the showcase for the international book industry, which is one of the reasons why it has become increasingly popular in recent years – not only with trade visitors and for the rights business, but also with readers. It has become an international forum for intellectual exchange. We want to make use of this potential for discourse despite the pandemic, maintaining it on behalf of the book industry and its future,” said Siegmar Mosdorf, chairman of the supervisory board.

“This year, it is more important than ever that Frankfurter Buchmesse takes place,” emphasised Juergen Boos, director of Frankfurter Buchmesse. “Thanks to activities on the fairgrounds and to book events on site and virtually, we are putting a spotlight on our authors, industry and trends. Because of the Corona pandemic, Frankfurter Buchmesse 2020 will be a special edition – an on-site programme combined with a forward-looking digital offer.”

Frankfurter Buchmesse expects exhibitors from throughout Europe to participate in the event in Frankfurt and, depending on future travel restrictions, from further abroad as well. Details on programme planning and this year’s campaign will be made available at the end of June.

“Frankfurter Buchmesse is part of the DNA of this city and also an icon of the trade-fair sector. We are very pleased that the industry has decided to hold the book fair in 2020, thus sending a very positive economic signal. As is always the case at Messe Frankfurt, the safety and health of all participants are being given top priority. We have developed detailed measures for social distancing, visitor flow and hygiene and will adapt them to the latest developments and requirements. The implementation will be very structured and we will support Frankfurter Buchmesse with all the resources at our disposal,” said Uwe Behm, member of the executive board of Messe Frankfurt.

Digital programme

Frankfurter Buchmesse’s digital programme addresses the needs of both participants on-site and those joining the fair online from all over the world, offering a range of options: company and product presentations, events and venues for initiating business deals, making contact with business partners, identifying market trends and engaging in further training. “We are currently developing a range of digital formats that respond precisely to these customer needs, enabling individuals and companies from the publishing industry and related sectors worldwide to participate in Frankfurter Buchmesse 2020,” explained Juergen Boos.

To inform book fans worldwide about new publications appearing in autumn 2020, Frankfurter Buchmesse will also take place virtually for one week.

Many initiatives have also been proposed by the book industry, which intends to contribute ideas for creating additional digital and physical formats and which has also been engaged in an active exchange with Frankfurter Buchmesse.