U.S. Book Show draws 700 pros

Publishers Weekly said on May 15 that about 700 agents, publishers and other industry professionals are expected to gather in New York City for the 2026 U.S. Book Show, a two-day conference the trade outlet hosts each year. The event is scheduled for June 2 and June 3, according to the show’s official website. Publishers Weekly said this year’s edition will be the sixth annual show and its largest yet, with 19 panels, workshops and talks on the program. ### Why does the date matter here? The dates in the preliminary summary do not match the current event materials. The official U.S. Book Show website says the 2026 conference will run June 2–3 in New York City, not June 22–23. Publishers Weekly’s preview published May 15 also says the show opens on Tuesday, June 2, with an afternoon of programming and continues on Wednesday, June 3. (publishersweekly.com) Publishers Weekly’s preview described the gathering as “two vital days to talk shop” and said the event is aimed at discussion, collaboration and the industry’s current pressures. The official event site says the conference is in-person and pitched to publishers, editors, marketers, agents, booksellers, librarians, media leaders and technology companies. (usbookshow.com) ### Who is expected to attend? The official event site says the U.S. Book Show expects 700-plus professionals from across the book business. Publishers Weekly’s preview gave a similar figure, saying some 700 publishing professionals are expected to attend. The site says attendees include book publishers and executives, editorial staff, literary agents and rights professionals, sales and publicity teams, media and entertainment professionals, and publishing technology companies. (publishersweekly.com) Jonathan Segura, Publishers Weekly’s senior vice president and editorial director, said in the preview that organizers were planning “a bigger and better show than last year.” Segura said the 2026 programming would examine AI, the use of data, talent retention and development, and “how to get more books into more readers’ hands.” (usbookshow.com) ### What is on the program? Publishers Weekly said the conference will feature 19 panels, workshops and talks. The show opens on June 2 with “Navigating Publishing Careers Today,” a 2 p.m. workshop for early-career professionals led by Alan Smagler of the Smagler Group, according to the preview and the program page. Topics include workload, burnout, hybrid work and self-advocacy, the program page says. (publishersweekly.com) At 4:30 p.m. on June 2, organizers scheduled two concurrent sessions: a Women’s Media Group conversation moderated by Jodi Brockington of NIARA Consulting, and “BookTok: Inside the Creator Economy,” a panel on book discovery and sales on the platform, Publishers Weekly said. The first day closes with a 5:30 p.m. reception and a 7 p.m. afterparty at The Shakespeare, according to the preview. (publishersweekly.com) ### Which executives are on the main-stage lineup? Wednesday, June 3, begins with a 9:45 a.m. session titled “CEOs in Conversation,” Publishers Weekly said. The discussion will be moderated by Segura and will feature Madeline McIntosh, chief executive and publisher of Authors Equity, David Shelley, chief executive of Hachette Book Group, and Dominique Raccah, chief executive of Sourcebooks. (publishersweekly.com) The same session is set to address AI, volatile market conditions and publishing strategy during upheaval, according to Publishers Weekly. A later panel, “The Data-Driven Publisher: Turning Insights into Hits,” will include Keith Riegert of Stable Book Group and Ulysses Press, Ben Sevier of Grand Central Publishing, and David Walter of Circana, the preview said. (publishersweekly.com) ### How are organizers describing the event this year? The U.S. Book Show website says the conference is designed around “candid, forward-thinking conversation, strategic insights, and meaningful connections.” The site says last year’s conference sold out and that 92% of attendees said they would recommend it to colleagues. Publishers Weekly’s preview said the 2026 program would focus on “the most consequential challenges facing the trade.” Segura said organizers were also trying to recreate the energy of the 2025 show, saying there had been “a great buzz in the halls last year.” (usbookshow.com) (publishersweekly.com) June 2 is the next key date for the event, with workshops and opening sessions scheduled that afternoon in New York City. June 3 will bring the CEO panel and the rest of the full conference program, according to the official site and Publishers Weekly’s preview. (usbookshow.com) (publishersweekly.com)