The Bookseller.com

1st December 2008

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Environment high on BA agenda

07.05.08 Graeme Neill

The changing nature of the book industry will be the "underlying theme" of this year's Booksellers Association conference, according to its chief executive. This year's two day event begins on Monday in the De Vere Grand Hotel in Brighton. Among the speakers are Borders new chairman Luke Johnson, who will deliver the keynote speech, and Waterstone's m.d. Gerry Johnson who will discuss environmental issues at the industry event.

BA chief executive Tim Godfray said that digitisation and the environment were the key issues facing the publishing industry. "We will look at what we are doing, and could do, as an industry to be more environmentally responsible," he said. "The discussion will cover the type of paper used by the industry and it would not be surprising if the subject of returns was discussed, bearing in mind the announcement by a number of houses to change their arrangements on backlist titles."

Godfray said that change was the "underlying theme" of this year's conference, adding that there will be research by Book Marketing Limited and the Henley Centre into consumer behaviour. "And, most importantly, [we will look at] how do we reach these changing consumers, taking into consideration the new marketing techniques that technology is putting at our disposal?" he said. "What should be our strategies for growth and re-invention?"

Independent bookshops will be in Brighton from Sunday for a special Small Business Forum event.

Graeme Neill Booksellers Association BA Conference Home Tim Godfrey