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Saturday 4th February |
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Record Numbers Turn Out For IPG ConferencePosted at 10:02AM Thursday 18 Mar 2010 The Independent Publishers Guild's Annual Conference will host a record number of delegates this weekend — proof that despite the difficult economic climate independents are not just surviving but thriving.Some 225 delegates are booked to attend the three-day Conference—an increase of more than 10% on 2009's total and the highest turnout in the 48-year history of the annual event. Membership of the guild is also currently at an all-time high. Delegates at the Conference will have a busy weekend of practical, business-focused content to get their teeth into. Digital issues will be high on the agenda, with Friday sessions lined up on XML, digital contracts and e-book strategies. Saturday's keynote speech comes from Bill Thompson, one of the country's leading experts on new media, while 'Beyond the Book' sessions from Six to Start's Dan Hon and Bloomsbury Academic's Jonathan Glasspool will help delegates to sharpen their digital thinking. Other Conference highlights include a 'Question Time with the Retailers' slot, this year welcoming Dominic Myers, who became the new managing director of Waterstone's early this year, as well as Amazon's Gordon Willoughby, Blackwell's Andrew Hutchings and Foyles' Sam Husain. A 'Burning Issues' panel will consider some of the industry's most pressing concerns, while there will be insights into sales trends from Nielsen BookScan, advice on working with libraries from CILIP chief executive Bob McKee, and 'How To' sessions offering top tips for working with retailers. The Saturday night of the Conference will host the Gala Dinner for the fourth annual Independent Publishing Awards, run by the IPG in association with The Bookseller and the London Book Fair. IPG Executive Director Bridget Shine says: "We are delighted that our Conference will welcome both record numbers of delegates and an outstanding list of high profile speakers. It shows that independent publishing is in great shape and is highly valued by retailers—and that IPG members appreciate this opportunity to meet and talk now more than ever."
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