"Remodelled" Cape Town Book Fair returns

The Cape Town Book Fair is to return to the Mother City in a new and remodelled format between Friday, 15 and Sunday, 17 June, 2012. This year, the fair will have a strong trade element to enhance its "marketplace appeal".

Previously an annual event, organisers last year announced that the Cape Town Book Fair would take place biennially instead. This followed a call from the publishing industry to remain in line with its production capacity. To kick off this new chapter the Cape Town Book Fair has opted for a fresh look and feel, starting with a new logo.

The last fair attracted 273 exhibitors and more than 33 000 visitors in 2010.

This year the Cape Town Book Fair will coincide with the 29th International Publishers Association (IPA) Congress, which attracts between 600 and 1000 delegates. Speakers at the congress are top professionals and policy makers in the book sector. This means that the fair will be enhanced with a decidedly international flavour of the who's who in the publishing world.

First in 100 years in Africa

According to Brian Wafawarowa, executive director of the Publishers' Association of South Africa (PASA), the value of the IPA Congress being held in Cape Town is enormous. "It will be the first time that the Congress is being held in Africa in over 100 years."

"The 29th IPA Congress will start on the 12th and end on the 14th of June, 2012, while the book fair will start on the 15th and end on the 17th. The spill-over effect for the Cape Town Book Fair promises to make it the best attended book fair ever."

Trade visitors on first morning

The first morning of the Cape Town Book Fair will be dedicated to the trade visitors. Thereafter, doors will be opened to the public from 2pm and the events will run into the evening until 10pm. This will afford trade visitors an opportunity to interact in a professional environment, to talk shop over a cup of coffee or a glass of local wine and give visitors an opportunity to enjoy the fair late into Friday evening.

Attendance will be free for trade visitors, on the premise that they register prior to the fair. To avoid disappointment, please ensure registration takes place by 1 June.

For more information on booking a stand or registering as a trade visitor, go to www.capetownbookfair.com or call +27 (0)11 549 8300.