BookExpo Canada 2009

Reed Exhibitions Canada announces it will close the annual trade convention and exhibit, BookExpo Canada, effective immediately. At the same time, the company affirmed continuation of Collections by JCK in Vancouver and INTERPHEX Canada in Toronto, following their successful debuts in 2008.

“The decision to close BEA Canada was not easy,” said Greg Topalian, Sr. Vice President, Reed Exhibitions. “But our primary focus has always been serving the needs of our customers and the market. Over the last 18 months, it has become clear that the dynamics of the publishing industry in Canada is no longer best served by a traditional trade event. Our focus on the publishing industry now centers on our event in New York and we look forward to serving the needs of our customers in North America most effectively with a singular event.”

At the same time, Topalian said, Canada remains a focus for continuing innovation and he pointed to the successful 2008 launch of Collections by JCK, a niche jewelry event in Vancouver and INTERPHEX Canada (a pharmaceutical manufacturing event which rotates between Montreal and Toronto) as evidence of Reed’s interest in finding new opportunities to build its Canadian business.