March 24, 2008 08:00 ET

Digital Book 2008 to Present eBook Standards and Global Markets

IDPF Conference Convenes International Digital Publishers and Technologists

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - March 24, 2008) - The emerging global eBook market and the adoption of the EPUB digital publication standard will top the agenda at the IDPF Digital Book 2008 Conference on Wednesday, May 14, 2008. The conference will be held at the McGraw-Hill Auditorium in New York City, the one-day conference is part of the International Digital Publishing Forum's acclaimed spring educational series. In prior years the event has been consistently sold-out as it provides opportunities for attendees to network with global publishing and technology leaders focused on eBook market growth. Information and registration for the conference is available at www.idpf.org/digitalbook08.

The program will include "The eBook Industry in Japan," a presentation by Mikio Amaya, President and CEO of Tokyo-based Papyless Co. Ltd., the largest eBookstore in Japan. Mr. Amaya will provide details and statistics on the download and mobile eBook market in Japan. Dawn Bruno, Team Leader and Senior International Trade Specialist from the U.S. Department of Commerce Global Publishing Team, will present industry data during a session entitled "Global eBook Initiatives & International Markets."

"Attendees to Digital Book 2008 will learn first-hand how the new EPUB publication format is being utilized by leading publishers, and technology leaders including Hachette Book Group, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Adobe, DNAML, eBook Technologies, Mobipocket, OverDrive, and others," stated Michael Smith, executive director of the IDPF. "Additionally, executives from Harlequin, HarperCollins Publishers, Random House, Google, Ingram Digital Group, LibreDigital, and iRex Technologies will discuss and demonstrate how digital book technologies are driving book sales and creating new consumer experiences."

eBook sales in the U.S. and abroad have surged following the introduction of the Amazon Kindle and increased sales of the Sony Reader. Digital Book 2008 will also present new mobile reading applications coming to market in Europe, Australia, and Asia. The program will feature speakers and exhibitors from the United States, Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Event sponsors and exhibitors include: Adobe Systems, Inc., Astak, codeMantra, Dnaml Pty, Ltd., Ingram Digital Group, Innodata Isogen, LibreDigital, LiveInk, MBS Direct, OverDrive, Inc., Rosetta Solutions, Inc. and VPG Integrated Media.

A full conference agenda, confirmed speakers, registration, and exhibitor opportunities can be found at www.idpf.org/digitalbook08.

About the International Digital Publishing Forum

Digital Book 2008 is presented by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF), the trade and standards association for the digital publishing industry. Further information about the organization and industry, including membership information, can be obtained by visiting www.idpf.org.