Remembering Our Friend, Mark Dressler

In Feature Articles by Hannah Johnson

Mark Dressler at the Frankfurt Book Fair

Mark Dressler at the Frankfurt Book Fair

By Hannah Johnson

Just before Christmas, we lost a wonderful friend and colleague, Mark Dressler. He passed away on December 23, 2015 after living with cancer for over a year.

Mark was an international publishing expert, wine and food enthusiast, and a competitive athlete. He was widely connected and respected throughout the publishing industry. Mark programmed conferences and stages at BookExpo America and the Frankfurt Book Fair. He was also a part owner of Bon Vin, a wine store in Traverse City, Michigan.

What I remember and admire most about Mark is his enduring happiness. He always had a smile and kind words for the people around him, regardless of whether we had just worked a long, stressful day at a book fair or whether we were catching up over a good meal. His optimism didn’t seem to waver, and his happiness never failed to lift my spirits.

Mark worked hard, loved life and inspired others to do the same. We will miss him.

About the Author

Hannah Johnson

Twitter

Hannah Johnson is the publisher of international book industry magazine Publishing Perspectives, which provides daily information and news about book markets around the world. In addition to building partnerships with international cultural and trade organizations, she works with the Frankfurt Book Fair to organize and support a number of its overseas initiatives. Hannah has also worked as the managing editor for an online media company, The Hooch Life, focused on craft distillers and cocktail experts. Prior to that, she worked as a project manager for the Frankfurt Book Fair’s New York office, managing various business and marketing activities.