The Bookseller.com

7th September 2008

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Visitors up 10% at LBF

02.06.08 Alison Flood

Attendance at this year's London Book Fair was up 10% on last year, with 25,302 visitors compared to 23,065 in 2007. The event, which took place in Earls Court for the second time following an abortive move to ExCel in 2006, saw 67 countries represented on stands, compared to 57 last year. The total number of main stand holders and sharing companies also rose, to 1665 from 1624 in 2007.

Organiser Reed Exhibitions put the growth in international visitors down to the selection of the Arab world as the market focus for the fair. "A relatively untapped market, a publishing industry jostling to sell and buy rights, and potential readership of over 200 million, proved a popular choice," it said.

Alistair Burtenshaw, Reed Exhibitions group exhibition director, added: "The second year at Earls Court has been even better than the first. Having spoken to numerous exhibitors I know that we have listened to their needs and succeeded in providing better facilities and opportunities for doing business. The expansion into Earls Court 2 gave us the extra space and amenities that this growing Fair requires. The Gourmand Cookbook Corner, Market Focus Deli, Literary Cafe and Champagne Bar were very popular innovations and will, we hope, be making a welcome return next year."

London Book Fair LBF Alison Flood