Word surfaced on Tuesday that Apple would be making its first appearance as an exhibitor at BookExpo America later in May. Attendees hoping to check out Apple’s big booth, however, will be in for a disappointment because the Mac and iPad maker isn’t actually exhibiting at the expo at all.
No Apple booth at BEA
paidContent originally reported that Apple would be hosting a booth in the same area as Random House, Disney and Scholastic, and that the iBookstore’s Scott Simpson would be on hand. The BookExpo America Web site even listed Apple as an exhibitor, at least temporarily.
Later, references to Apple were removed from the BEA Web site, and an expo representative clarified the company’s involvement by saying Apple representatives would be meeting with publishers in a private room, and won’t be exhibiting.
Apple’s presence at the event — which happens to be the largest book publisher’s event in the United States — makes sense if the company is looking to draw more titles to its iBookstore. Apple uses the iBookstore to distribute ebooks to iPad, iPhone and iPod touch owners, but offers a limited selection compared to Amazon and its Kindle bookstore.
BookExpo America runs from May 23 through May 26 at the Javits Center in New York City.