Organized by the Sharjah Book Authority, the two-day international event will focus on supply chains, digital transformation, and sustainable book markets.
SHARJAH, July 2, 2026 — Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), today announced that the fifth annual Booksellers Conference will be held from September 19 to 20, 2026, at the Expo Centre Sharjah.
The prestigious global event is set to gather booksellers, distributors, and e-commerce platform operators from 98 countries. The international conference serves as a specialized forum to evaluate the current state of global book distribution, strengthen international supply chains, enhance collaborative partnerships between distributors and publishers, and navigate the accelerating digital shift within the industry.
Through a comprehensive schedule of panel discussions and specialized workshops, the conference aims to facilitate the exchange of cross-border expertise and present actionable solutions to current market challenges. Key focus areas for this edition include inventory management and optimization, fostering sustainable professional relationships with authors and publishers, and leveraging modern communication tools to maximize business growth.
Reflecting on the vision behind the initiative, HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, stated that the conference represents a cornerstone of Sharjah’s broader strategy—originally established by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah—to champion the global book industry.
“Under the guidance of Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, the conference has successfully built a vast international network connecting distributors and publishers,” Al Ameri said. “This year’s edition expands participation and deepens dialogue on the future of distribution amid rapid digital transformation and the growth of e-commerce, reinforcing the sustainability of book markets and consolidating Sharjah’s status as a leading global hub for publishing.”
Mansour Al Hassani, Director of Publishing Services at SBA, emphasized the practical focus of the event. He noted that the conference directly addresses the operational needs of industry stakeholders by providing tools for inventory management, merchandising, and e-commerce. He added that the diverse geographical representation allows participants to compare global business models, share proven practices, and open new avenues for expanding the market reach of literature.
The 2026 program places a heavy emphasis on operational efficiency. Key sessions will delve into advanced data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at improving book discovery, personalizing customer experiences, and optimizing conversion rates across brick-and-mortar and digital storefronts. Additionally, attendees will explore hybrid sales models that integrate physical retail with robust e-commerce operations.
Beyond logistics, the conference will address the shifting cultural identity of modern bookshops, focusing on how physical stores can transform into interactive community hubs through literary events, targeted youth outreach, and community reading initiatives linked to sustainable revenue models.
Official registration for the conference remains open until September 18, 2026. Interested publishers, distributors, booksellers, and digital platform operators can secure their participation via the official portal at https://sharjahbooksellers.ae/.
