MARCH 9, 2020 — TEMPE, ARIZ. — Several international book fairs have either been cancelled or postponed in the last few weeks due to concerns stemming from the coronavirus outbreak. Over the next four months, ECPA is producing three publishing conferences, and some in the Christian publishing community may be wondering about their status.
“ECPA is moving forward with each event as scheduled,” said Stan Jantz, ECPA president. “We are carefully monitoring the timing and location of each event and at this time, our events in Nashville, Chicago and Krakow will remain.
The European Christian Rights Fair (ECRF), will take place March 16-17 in Krakow, Poland. For the second year, ECPA is producing this event for global rights professionals and their customers, with Gary Chamberlin, executive director of CLC Europe, serving as host.
ECPA’s annual executive Leadership Summit will be held May 5-6 at the Nashville Airport Marriott Hotel. “We are pleased that registrations are ahead of last year at this time,” said Jantz. “We will have several world-class speakers and panels addressing the future of publishing as it relates to evangelicalism, content, and reader engagement.” Early-bird registration continues through March 20.
The second annual International Christian Rights & Export Fair (ICREF) will be held June 16-17 in Chicago on the campus of Moody Bible Institute. “This is a wonderful opportunity for members of the international publishing community to meet with foreign publishers, retailers, and distributors to discuss licensing and international sales,” Jantz said. Registration for ICREF is now open. Pricing will remain same as last year at $399 for an exhibitor table for up to two people, with additional tables priced at $99. Attendees will pay just $49 for a two-day pass.
“ECPA is aware of the commitment many of our members are making to attend one or more of these next three events,” said Jantz. “At the present time, we are aware of no federal or state guidance about restricting travel within the United States or public gatherings at any of the cities we are meeting in. We remain committed to producing conferences that benefit the global Christian publishing industry. However, if new information comes to light, we will quickly notify the ECPA community, registrants and presenters, and adjust our cancellation policies as needed.” Jantz also stressed that measures will be taken at these and all future events to ensure the healthiest environment possible.
Jantz encourages ECPA members and affiliates to be in touch with specific questions about ECRF, Leadership Summit and ICREF.
The Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) is an international non-profit trade organization comprised of member companies that are involved in the publishing and distribution of Christian content worldwide. Since 1974, ECPA has strengthened Christian publishing by building networking, information, and advocacy opportunities within the industry and throughout multiple channels so that our members can more effectively produce and deliver transformational Christian content. For more information about ECPA: info@ecpa.org ECPA.org @ECPA
CONTACT: Stan Jantz, ECPA president and CEO, sjantz@ecpa.org, or 480-966-3998
