A trip to the USA to promote some of Italian publishing’s best new titles, with a focus on the new trends, such as e-books, and on the renewed popularity of certain sectors, like art books and books for children. This is happening on the occasion of the Bookexpo America fair (www.bookexpoamerica.com), due to take place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York from May 23^rd to 26^th. The Italian Trade Commission, in collaboration with the Italian Publishers Association, will be coordinating a delegation composed of some of the very best companies, who will have the task of representing Italy in the important role assigned to them for the 2011 edition.

This year Italy has been chosen as the Focus Nation at the Global Market Forum, a series of meetings which will be taking place in parallel with the exhibition, and which will provide a unique opportunity for Italian publishers to promote their output. Bookexpo America is the biggest publishing fair in the USA, so what will the Italian companies be displaying on their stands? There will certainly be a wide-ranging selection, starting with books about the history of photography. Enthusiasts will be able to find many interesting publications featuring masters past and present, created by the use of very special printing techniques which bring out the qualities of both the colour and the image, and also using extremely high quality paper.

Art-lovers, on the other hand, will be able to purchase catalogues featuring the work of some of Italy’s most famous artists. There will also be displays of books on Italian culture, sociology and history, scientific and medical publications, and those literary classics that never go out of fashion. There will be an embarrassment of riches at this event and, aware of the important prospects it offers, the Italian companies will certainly be coming well prepared.

According to figures issued by the United States Department of Commerce for the year 2010, total imports of published material into the country (books, newspapers, periodicals and other printed matter) reached a value of 3,515 million dollars, up by 6.04% from 2009. With the exception of Canada and Singapore, all the major importers in the sector have registered an increase on 2009, with Italy showing the most significant overall rise in the period concerned (an excellent +16.5%).

In 2009, Italy was ranked ninth among the countries from which the USA imports published material. The “children’s books” category registered the greatest increase (+39.9%) with a value of 0.7 million dollars, followed by “books and brochures” with 50.6 million. Given the positive trend shown over the last two years, and thanks to events like Bookexpoamerica 2011, the conditions appear to be in place for Italian publishing companies to establish new business relationships with operators in the local market. The 2010 edition of the fair attracted 27,211 visitors, 1,350 exhibitors from 45 countries, and 2,334 journalists. This year it will be aiming to do even better.