Bodour Al Qasimi Opens 5th Sharjah Booksellers Conference with 912 Participants from 99 Countries

Sharjah, The Gulf Observer: H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), on Saturday inaugurated the fifth edition of the Sharjah Booksellers Conference at Expo Centre Sharjah, bringing together 912 booksellers, publishers, distributors and e-commerce representatives from 99 countries.

The two-day conference focuses on practical challenges facing the global bookselling and distribution sector, including inventory management, in-store presentation, e-commerce, digital marketing and demand analysis. It also provides participants with opportunities to exchange expertise, establish business connections and explore new models for expanding access to books and reaching wider audiences.

In her keynote address, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi highlighted the continuing importance of booksellers in helping readers discover books that inform, challenge and broaden their perspectives. She also stressed the importance of investing in professional skills and embracing technological developments while maintaining the central mission of connecting books with readers and strengthening links between publishers and booksellers across markets and cultures.

During the opening ceremony, Sheikha Bodour, in her capacity as Founder of PublisHer, also honoured graduates of the inaugural PublisHer Pathways programme. The initiative supports women in the publishing sector by providing professional development opportunities and helping early- and mid-career professionals progress towards leadership roles.

The conference programme features keynote sessions, professional workshops, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities. Topics include inventory management, reducing book returns, improving store displays, developing e-commerce operations, strengthening relationships with publishers and authors, and using data and digital tools to improve marketing and reach readers.

Artificial intelligence is also a key focus of the conference, with sessions examining how AI-built websites and digital tools can support online sales, identify purchasing trends, improve customer journeys and enable bookstores to expand their digital presence.

The fifth edition of the Sharjah Booksellers Conference will continue on Sunday, September 20, with further discussions on the future of bookselling and distribution and opportunities to strengthen connections among Arab and international publishing professionals.