they were even ready to sell outside of Korea. But they got an enormous amount of feedback. Every librarian I spoke to who’d seen it said, ‘Go there and see them. This is just amazing.”
Home and away Helen said: “In 2027 we are expecting a strong turnout from the host country because there is such density of librarians in the UK - we would hope to get at least a 1000 to come, similar to the national audience in Malaysia.” Alain noted: “In general, IFLA’s European congresses are very successful in terms of numbers” adding that the combina- tion of English speaking and proximity to Europe, with the significant 100th anniversary of IFLA, there is potential to attract bigger global audiences. This means the number of UK-based delegates with budget power at the conference is likely to be higher than at any other UK library conference. Helen said: “The number one attraction for your UK suppliers might be a larger British audience than normal, but obviously it’s not just a great chance to meet their local buyers. If you are thinking about selling into Europe there will be a huge number there from Europe. Or if you want to sell into other English language speaking countries they will be coming from across the world. All those markets are available for people if they want to expand. There will be a large proportion of people from nearby countries and Commonwealth
feedback from the potential clients. Librarians are naturally curious.” He said “The cost of the minimum three metre by three metre booth is €3,780 (indicative prices based on 2026 event) which could be a wonderful investment.” Helen also pointed out “That’s to get the space but then they’ve got to think about what they’re going to do with it – the furniture etc. Some suppliers do keep it fairly minimal.”
She said librarians could highlight WLIC to suppliers from other sectors that might be of interest: “For example there can be cross over from the education sphere, or computing and technology, particularly as we get people from all of the different sec- tors of librarianship from school libraries, parliamentary libraries, universities and national libraries.”
Alan Zayan.
English speaking countries, so that opportunity to extend beyond their local audience to something broader will be available.”
Feedback loops
“So we’re also looking for companies in the UK that are doing interesting things in the library and information technology environment,” Helen said. “They may be looking for exposure, sales, or feedback from librarians who can say, ‘well, we can see this is really good, but what if it did this or that?’” Alain added: “Especially startups, they can improve the products with direct
Sponsorship and products IFLA has a professional conference or- ganiser (PCO) that deals with sponsorship and already has relationships with major sponsors and international suppliers. New potential booth or sponsorship leads can also come in via the national committee – the British National Committee – which CILIP is currently setting up, one of whose roles will be looking at new suppli- ers and sponsors. Alain said: “The prospectus for the event will be ready to go out in around Novem- ber 2026 when the exhibition layout is known and suppliers will be asked what type and size of booth they would like.
16
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62
