Publishing Perspectives Forum at Frankfurt 2026
October 7-9, 2026 at Frankfurter Buchmesse:
Publishing Perspectives Forum is returning to Frankfurt Book Fair. Our events will take place on the Dialogue Stage, just off the Agora on the ground floor, Hall 4.0.
This year, our program focuses on expanding the conversation around global publishing, audio, and digital publishing, and the future of the industry.
The Publishing Perspectives Forum Program at Frankfurter Buchmesse 2026
Wednesday, 12:00 – 1:00pm – Global 50 CEO Talk, Presented by Bookwire
Presented in partnership with the Global 50 Publishing Ranking, this session will feature Rüdiger Wischenbart presenting the 2026 edition and discuss its main findings and the trends transforming the international publishing industry. Then, Carlo Carrenho will interview this year’s guest Tobias Wann, CEO of tonies, whose interactive audio system combines an intuitive player with collectible figurines carrying stories, music and educational content. The event is presented by Bookwire and co-sponsored by Kobo.
Wednesday, 4:00 – 4:30pm – Creating a Space for Global Publishers to Communicate
In this panel discussion, Publishing Perspectives and Publishers Without Borders will discuss their new initiative which aims to create an ongoing global conversation around key challenges facing the global publishing industry as well as creative initiatives and opportunities. This project will provide publishers and industry professionals with a deeper understanding of how common issues are experienced across different regions of the world, or will delve into issues that are particular to only some regions. Topics to be discussed on the panel will include supply chain, access to resources, AI/technological advancement, book discovery and reader engagement, gender inequity in the workplace, and more.
Speakers: Sherif Bakr, General Manager, Al Arabi Publishing and Distributing; Simon de Jocas, consultant and founder of Publishers Without Borders; Olivia Snaije, journalist and editor
Moderator: Erin L. Cox, Publisher, Publishing Perspectives
Thursday, 12:30 – 1:30pm – What’s Next for the Digital Public Library Market?
Over the last decade, digital public library lending—ebooks,audiobooks, periodicals, and video content—has skyrocketed in popularity. But the rise of digital lending has also come with a host of thorny issues to be worked out. This panel will candidly explore the role of public libraries in the 21st Century reading and writing enterprise, the challenges in the massive yet still developing digital library marketplace, and the opportunities for publishers, authors, and libraries to reach more readers than ever before.
Speakers: Micah May, Director of Business Development, Lyrasis/the Palace Project; Heather McCormack, Director, Digital Content, OCLC CloudLibrary; Brad Rose, VP, Content Strategy, Hoopla Digital
Moderator: Andrew Richard Albanese, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives; Co-founder and editor, Words & Money
Thursday, 1:30 – 2:00pm – Developing, Supporting, or Directing: The Role of Global Audio Platforms in Emerging Markets
Over the last several years, large audiobook platforms have expanded into less well-developed markets around the world with the desire to build new audiences of listeners. This growth can bring enormous opportunity, but also raises important questions about local ecosystems, local-language content, and what it means for smaller domestic players. In this panel, we will look closely at both sides of this discussion.
Speakers: Ali Abd El-Moneim Ahmed, CEO & Co-founderArabookverse International; Ama Dadson, Founder & CEO AkooBooks Audio Ltd
Moderator: Erin L. Cox, Publisher, Publishing Perspectives
Friday, 10:00 – 11:00am – The Future of the International Publishing Industry
Publishing Perspectives Editor-in-Chief Andrew Albanese will sit down with incoming Director of Frankfurter Buchmesse Joachim Kaufmann to talk about his view on the changing international marketplace for books, the role of the book fair in the industry, and his ideas for the future.
About Publishing Perspectives Forum
Join the international trade news medium Publishing Perspectives in our ongoing series of online events, including the in-person stage program every at the Frankfurt Book Fair, where we highlight people, issues, and trends shaping the world publishing industry.
Past speakers have included Nihar Malaviya, Charlie Redmayne, David Shelley, Jonny Geller, Juergen Boos, Núria Cabutí, Peter Warwick, Arnaud Nourry, Kim Chongsatitwana, Markus Dohle, Amanda D’Acierno, Lee Jarit, Trip Adler, Sven Fund, Tom Kraushaar, Nelleke Geel, Nina von Moltke, and many more.