Rudy Giuliani to Welcome Attendees at BookExpo America

The "Nation's Mayor" Will Speak at Opening Night Celebration in New York City
Rudolph W. Giuliani has agreed to provide remarks at the Opening Night Welcome Reception on Thursday, May 2 at 6 pm at this year's BookExpo America to be held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, May 2 - May 5. This is the first time the annual book convention has been held in New York City in over ten years, so Mr. Giuliani's appearance appropriately sets the stage for a convention that will be celebrating its return to the publishing capital of the world.

Mr. Giuliani's comments will focus on his own new business book, Leadership, which will be published by Talk Miramax in June 2002, in which he shares the principles of leadership that proved so reliable and effective during the most testing of times. On September 11, 2001, Mr. Giuliani emerged as America's steadiest hand, leading the city and the nation throughout the worst domestic disaster in our history.

"I am profoundly honored, and deeply grateful to Mr. Giuliani for taking the time to address our convention attendees as BookExpo America returns to New York City," notes Greg Topalian, Show Director for BEA. "I can't possibly think of a more appropriate speaker. New York is the center of book publishing and many people who work within the industry were not far removed from the events of September 11. Mr. Giuliani's name is synonymous with New York and his courage since September 11 and his dedication to the city and people of New York has been inspirational. He is a model of leadership and I know that our national as well as international audience will be eager to hear his words."

Convention officials note that the return of BEA to New York this year has been met with enthusiastic support. "Despite the downturn in the economy, especially for travel related industries, BEA is doing record business," continues Topalian. "Interestingly, I think part of the reason we're doing well is because the convention is in New York and people throughout the country want to show their support. This is an industry that identifies with New York." BEA has also undertaken a number of initiatives reaching out to librarians and specialty buyers at retail outlets throughout the country to boost its attendance. In addition, convention organizers note that they have received enthusiastic comments from booksellers at Eastern regional trade shows who are eager to participate in the convention for the first time in many years.

Leadership is Rudy Giuliani's own guide to the essential principles that sustained him throughout his extraordinary career. His management and decision-making skills have proven to be outstanding through his two terms as Mayor of New York City, his years as U.S. Attorney and with the Justice Department. Whether dealing with a catastrophe, or with the many problems large and small that afflict a great city on a daily basis; whether addressing New York's $40 billion budget or issues of infrastructure; or handling complicated human issues or assembling a brilliant team, Mr. Giuliani has relied on a systematic and methodical approach that can work for any manager, in any sized business.

BEA's Opening Night Welcome reception is open to all BEA registered participants. The convention is open to the trade only. Reed Exhibitions is the world's largest organizer of business-to-business events. Each year Reed events assemble about 156,000 suppliers and over a million buyers from around the world. Today, Reed events are held in 35 countries throughout the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia/Pacific, and are organized by 30 fully staffed offices. Reed's portfolio of events serves 49 industries in 12 key sectors. BookExpo America is one of five other Reed events in the Reed Global Book Publishing Network. These include the Asia International Book Fair, London International Book Fair, Salon du Livre: Paris Book Fair, Tokyo International Book Fair and BookExpo Canada. As a member of the Reed Elsevier plc group, a world-leading business and information provider, Reed offers integrated market access programs covering exhibitions, trade publications, direct marketing and the Internet over a database of more than 9 million.

For more information concerning BookExpo America and registration for the above events, please call 800/840-5614 or 203/840-5614 (international) or visit the BEA Web Site at http:/bookexpo.reedexpo.com.