A successful book fair is highly subjective. For some, it means packing in as many meetings as possible; for others, it’s about securing a few meaningful new connections, landing a speaking slot, or celebrating a major book deal.
For me, success comes from a mix of new connections and reconnecting with familiar faces. My personal goal is at least 25 confirmed meetings before boarding the plane to Frankfurt. That wasn’t always the case, and sometimes having too many meetings is not always a good thing for me.
This article is for anyone looking to expand their network and strengthen existing relationships. I’ll share how I prepare, how I book meetings strategically, and how to use time at the fair wisely (and no, I don’t mean sightseeing).
Preparation and Considerations
First, think about how you’ll attend: will you have a stand, or will you walk the fair? Either way, be mindful of how BIG the Frankfurt Messe convention center is! Walking from Hall 6.0 to 3.0 can take time. Meetings are typically booked in 30-minute slots, so if your next one is a 10-minute walk away, plan accordingly and let people know you’ll only have 20 minutes. Most attendees understand.
If you have a stand, remember you’ll need to rent furniture, ship supplies, and arrive a day early to set up. Bring some basic supplies (like scissors, tape, etc) as you will need them! Also, please note, you might be the one hanging the shelves and moving furniture around, so wear comfortable clothes you don’t mind getting dirty.
Booking Meetings
If you’re walking the fair, it helps to time-block by halls. For example, spend Wednesday in Halls 6 and 5, and Thursday in Halls 4 and 3. This minimizes back-and-forth, though flexibility is key for high-priority meetings.
Start by booking with existing contacts and key prospects before calendars fill up. Then, add other meetings around those anchors.
Researching Attendees & Exhibitors
When you register, you’ll get access to the fair’s Matchmaking portal. Update your profile so people can find you, and use it to search both exhibitors and attendees. I also have luck messaging people on LinkedIn in conjunction with this.
If you can’t book a formal meeting, block time to visit booths, especially the country pavilions, which don’t always list attending publishers in advance. Reception staff are often helpful in pointing you toward the right people.
Events
Many publishers and country booths will host receptions and parties on their stands. These can be a good way to meet and mingle with people in a less formal setting. You can find the events here.
Logistics
Always check to see how long it will take to get from your hotel to the fair and plan a little bit of extra time to get to the right Hall/entry. It’s a huge facility and takes time to navigate.
The lines to get in can be long in the morning, so it’s good to plan your first meetings at 9:30 instead of 9:00.
A few practical tips:
- Bring a notebook, pens, and a printed copy of your calendar.
- Prepare notes for each meeting in advance.
- Plan to walk a lot – that means wear shoes you’re comfortable walking in. I also find it’s good to have layers, so a blazer or sweater that I can wear if I need, but I can also take off if I get warm.
- It can rain and be cold in Frankfurt in October. I’m coming from Southern California, so I WILL be cold in Frankfurt in the Fall! I always bring a raincoat and usually an umbrella.
- Even with the cold weather, do not forget to get hydrated!
- Transit options include metro, taxis, and Uber. The fair has a taxi stand, though queues can be long.
- It’s easy to get around Frankfurt on the metro, on foot, and with Uber/taxi. They have a taxi stand right outside the fair, but there can be long lines. So, plan for this!
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially around the main train station after dark.
Would you like to meet?
I will be at the bookfair representing Pickatale, Cricket Media, and Storybox Hub. I am also happy to discuss international business development consulting if you are looking to grow your international business.
I’m happy to meet with you at the fair to discuss any of these brands or if you’d like to discuss consulting services to grow your brand globally.
I help PK-12 and ELT companies to find and establish distribution/reseller networks, license their content to publishers and edtechs, and find strategic international partners.
Take a read of my previous blog post, where I talk more about How to Grow Your EdTech Business with Strategic Partners.
Hope to see you in Frankfurt!
