BookExpo America

BookExpo America (commonly referred to within the book publishing industry as BEA) is the largest annual book trade fair in the United States. BEA is almost always held in a major city over four days in late May and/or early June. Nearly all significant book publishers in the United States, and many from abroad, have booths and exhibits at BEA, and use the fair as an opportunity to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, socialize with colleagues from other publishing houses, and sell and buy subsidiary rights and international rights (although not on the scale of the rights negotiation that occurs at the Frankfurt Book Fair in October). Authors, librarians, and buyers for book retailers also attend the event.

BEA was held in Washington, D.C. in 2006, in New York City in 2007, and in Los Angeles in 2008. BEA was held at the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center in New York City 2009 to 2012. The 2012 BEA was held at the Jacob K. Javitz Convention Center from June 4 to June 7 of that year. The Javitz Convention Center is scheduled to host BEA through 2015. In past years, particularly in the 1990s and early 2000s, BEA was often held in Chicago. As the American Booksellers Association Convention and Trade Show, the book fair was held in Washington, D.C. from 1947 until 1971.