It’s Day 2 of the fair and the buzz is also all about us today! We’re in the news and the photo with the Canadian, Australia and NZ ambassadors is in today’s fair edition of The Bookseller with the headline Not Born Free. It says that the three countries have voted to pursue closer cooperation and, “free themselves from the proprietorial attitudes of the US and UK that continue to dominate the publishing world”. Phew! It isn’t easy to get down under content at Frankfurt but we have!
Our new stand is working well. Our new signage can be seen from the other end of our aisle which is quite a distance and the new layout flows well. Exhibitors have asked whether we have a larger space this year – we don’t but there is more room for visitors to browse without disturbing the meetings in progress. We have good walk-on traffic and the booths ensure privacy for meetings.
The mood of the fair is very much “business as usual” although perhaps quieter than usual for the first day yesterday. Today has more of a buzz of activity in the aisles! Our team reports good positive meetings and all are busy both on and off the stand maximising the opportunity to visit other halls and continue the networking which began at the Canadian Australian NZ Summit on Tuesday.
The Summit was certainly a success and I have met today with my equivalent from the Canadian Publishers Association to talk about reciprocal possibilities for publishers in each country. A report of the Summit will be available shortly also. Many thanks to both Kevin Chapman, Past President of BPANZ, and Teresa Garnett, Export Manager from Pearson Education NZ, for their significant contributions as panelists — I know the time they each spent preparing for the event and both gave addresses that were informed and engaging.
So tonight we celebrate with the Australians for their stand party and tomorrow is ours. This year looks bigger than ever and we look forward to sharing our shipment of Hunters wines with many thirsty guests — a great way to continue the networking in a relaxing and convivial atmosphere.
To quote one kiwi, “If I ever say I mightn’t bother with Frankfurt this year remind me that it’s essential. I’m picking up so much extra information and seeing opportunities just by being here.”
— Anne De Lautour, BPANZ Executive Director
Main View of the New Zealand stand at Frankfurt 2008 (below).
Anabel Langbein and Doris Mousdale on the New Zealand stand (below).
