The two-day conference opens September 19 with a keynote by Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi and a focus on AI, digital transformation and the future of bookselling

Publishing and bookselling professionals from 99 countries will gather in Sharjah from September 19-20 for the fifth Sharjah Booksellers Conference, with technology, business growth and the changing role of bookstores among the key themes.

The conference, taking place at Expo Centre Sharjah, will bring together 912 participants, including booksellers, distributors and online book-selling platforms.

The event opens on Saturday with a keynote address by Her Highness Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Sharjah Book Authority. The program includes four keynote addresses, two innovation showcases, four panel discussions and presentations, along with 14 international workshops and six Arabic-language workshops.

AI and the changing bookselling landscape

Digital transformation is a central theme of this year’s conference, with sessions looking at how technology can help distributors develop new revenue streams.

An innovation showcase titled ‘Maximising Sales with AI Built Websites’ will feature experts Lisa Byrnes and Sarah Arbuthnot.

The conference will also examine how booksellers can strengthen physical book sales as consumer behavior becomes increasingly digital. The session ‘Beyond the Shelf: Building Demand for Physical Books in a Digital World’, moderated by Nour Jarrar, will explore strategies combining e-commerce with traditional bookselling.

Another session will look at the changing role of bookstores as community spaces. Dr. Brigitte Boulad will present ‘Where Books Build Communities: Reimagining the Bookstore as a Cultural Hub’, examining how physical bookstores can attract audiences and strengthen their cultural role.

Business growth will also feature through ‘Scaling Without Losing Your Soul: Growing with Purpose’, with Nadia Wassef and Dr. Boulad discussing expansion while maintaining a business’s identity.

International perspectives

The conference will bring perspectives from several international markets, including the Philippines, Indonesia and Ukraine, with discussions examining market volatility and business development.

Professional development is another focus. The first day will include the graduation of the first cohort of the professional accreditation pathway under PublisHer, the global initiative launched by Sheikha Bodour to support women working in publishing.

The conference will close with one-to-one business meetings and ‘Meet a Mentor’ sessions, giving participants opportunities to exchange knowledge and explore potential partnerships.

Sharjah Booksellers Conference 2026

Dates: September 19-20, 2026
Venue: Expo Centre Sharjah
Participants: 912 from 99 countries