NEWS


Early call for WLIC delegates and exhibitor opportunities


POTENTIAL delegates and exhibitors are being advised to start making plans early to avoid clashes with budgets and schedules. In an interview published in CILIP’s Spirng Buyers’ Guide, Hel-


en Mandl, Deputy Secretary General, Director Member Services at IFLA and Alain Zayan, IFLA Conference & Events Manager, explain why planning for WLIC 2027 in London needs to start now. Helen said suppliers and delegates need to make sure WLIC


is in their budget forecasting for 2027: “What we’re hearing from around the world is that due to economic circumstances, many libraries can only support their librarians to go to one international conference a year. In 2027 WLIC is going to be the one that people will do. We want librarians to think ‘if I’m attending one thing in 2027 for my training and development, it’s going to be this.’” She said: “In 2027 we are expecting a strong turnout from the


host country because there is such density of librarians in the UK.” Alain noted: “In general, IFLA’s European congresses are very successful in terms of numbers” adding that the combination of being English speaking and its proximity to Europe, with the sig- nificant 100th anniversary of IFLA, there is potential to attract bigger global audiences.” IFLA said 75 per cent of WLIC delegates have budget responsibi-


lities and around 15 per cent are library directors. The number of UK-based delegates with budget power at the conference is likely to be higher than at any other UK library conference. Not only does this make it a valuable networking opportunity for dele- gates, but attractive to suppliers.


Buyers meet suppliers in style


THE CILIP Supplier Showcase, a one-day event connecting library professionals and suppliers returns to 113 Chancery Lane, London, on Thursday 30 April. The Showcase is a focused day of market insight, networking and hands-on product exploration, giving delegates the chance to meet the leading suppliers shaping today’s library and information landscape in per- son on product exploration This year’s lineup includes Axiell, OpenFifth (previously PTFS Europe), Bibliotheca, IS Oxford, and many others. Event Manager Louise Greener highlights the value the Showcase continues to offer: “The CILIP showcase remains a popular event for both browsing and targeted one- to-one meetings. We often see whole teams in attendance, with colleagues keen to com-


February-March 2026


pare and road-test products and receive bespoke advice ahead of their next procure- ment cycle. “We took the event on the road to Man- chester last Autumn, and we had the same response there – it’s brilliant to see how useful the event is for our professional community to test products and receive bespoke advice ahead of their next procurement cycle.” Louise said the Law Society venue was also


an attraction for anyone attending, saying: “I think it’s important that a buying event feels quite treat-like, so we make a huge effort to match that with the venue, and it always feels rather grand, making the way up the


marble staircase to the wood panelled exhibi- tion space. We also put on breakfast, lunch and coffee – the full works – to facilitate network- ing and ensure delegates can stay for the full day to connect with everyone.”


For suppliers, the Showcase offers a


rare opportunity to engage directly with decision-makers in a relaxed yet purposeful environment. For delegates, it’s a chance to explore the market in one place, gather insight and build relationships that support future planning.


For more details visit www.cilip.org.uk/page/ SupplierShowcaseLondon26


INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 9


Helen Mandl.


Alain Zayan.


Helen added that alongside a larger British audience than usual there will be an opportunity to extend beyond the local audience. A prospectus for potential sponsors and suppliers will be pub- lished in November. If you’d like a copy send your details and a message about WLIC 2027 to ifla-sponsorship@kit-group.org for general enquiries email wlic2027@cilip.org.uk.


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