Shanghai Home to Bold New Children's Book Fair to Promote Copyright Trading

The inaugural China Shanghai International Children's Book Fair (CCBF), to be held at the ShanghaiMart Exhibition Center from November 7 to November 9, 2013, will be 'trade only' for the first two days.Day 3 will be open to the public.Managed by Reed Exhibitions and supported by the General Administration of Press and Publication, Radio, Film & Television, this event is dedicated to the copyright trading, publishing, printing and distribution of content/books aimed at 0 to 16 year-olds.

Home to more than 230 million people under the age of 16, China boasts a flourishing children's publishing sector that is currently valued at USD $5 billion, of which USD $340 million comes from licensing.These figures illustrate why children's books are the most dynamic, competitive and fastest growing sector in China's publishing industry. Between 2011 and 2012 the number of children's publications grew by 35%, with 20% of total rights sales in China's book industry coming from this segment.

"The purchasing power of young Chinese parents is huge.Over 52% prefer buying books to borrowing them from libraries. In fact, 70% of this market segment buys books for their children on a monthly basis," says Randy Wang, Senior Project Manager at Reed Exhibitions, the exclusive event manager of CCBF. At the same time, 90% of the children's book content in China is imported. "Statistics from China's biggest online book retailer, Dangdang.com, show that 80% and 90% of the top 10 children's bestsellers in 2012 and 2011, respectively, were imported titles. While Chinese educators are expressing a dire need for new local educational materials, parents and children are expressing a clear preference for imported titles as a means of diversifying their reading lists and broadening their understanding of various world cultures."

Mr. Wang continues, "Driven by the theme of 'Content Without Borders', CCBF is focused on facilitating closer interaction between local and international industry practitioners. We will be that bridge that connects publishers with copyright traders; authors and their fans. Exhibitors and visitors will, through this platform, discover a huge range of original printed and digital contentbooks, e-books, educational software and other edutainment products.Our hope is that they will go away wanting more and looking forward to the next CCBF.

"Having this event in Shanghai makes perfect sense. This is one of China's busiest publishing hubs and cultural centers, as well as its innovation and financial core. The timing is particularly appropriate too, with Disneyland Shanghai opening in 2015. This will cement Shanghai's position as China's capital of children's culture and entertainment."

Asia-Pacific's active copyright trading accounts for 20% of the global children's book market. The launch of CCBF will do much to better serve and upgrade children's content copyright trading in the region.

Currently, China's leading children's book publishers, who together dominate 70% of the local market, have committed their full participation in CCBF. However, the show will also feature a distinct international blend. Of the 200 exhibitors expected to feature at, 30% will come from outside China. Jon Malinowski, President of the Combined Book Exhibit and Founder of Pubmatch.com, will be among them. One aspect of the show, the Shanghai New Title Showcase, is a collaboration between CCBF and Combined Book Exhibit. "The showcase provides publishers, including self-publishers, with a low-cost avenue via which to explore the Chinese children's market, and have their books front and center in one of the most active rights-buying markets in the world," says Mr. Malinowski.

Reed Exhibitions will leverage global resources and expertise of its serial publishing events gained via the production of international event that include the London Book Fair, BookExpo America, TIBF (Tokyo), Bienal do Livro Sao Paulo and Salon du Livre, to facilitate bilateral copyright trading with China. Reed will also strive to give participants direct access to professionals at every level of trade along the entire industry chain. Through the event, participants will also be able to better access diversified content and the flourishing China publishing market.

A comprehensive collection of on-site events will run concurrent to the fair.These will include The International Children's Book Publishing Summit, The Best Children's Book Award, The International Children's Publication Copyright Trade Summit, The International Children's Book Promotion Events, the International Promotion of Chinese Children's Literature Author Workshops and more. These collocated events and activities will do more than simply enhance the Fair's influence over children's reading culture, the children's publication industry and the market.They will also provide participants with rich opportunities to significantly boost their business; amplify their brand to the market; network and