BookExpo America (commonly referred to within the
book publishing industry as
BEA) is the largest annual book
trade fair in the
United States. BEA is almost always held in a major city over four days in late May and/or early June. Nearly all significant book publishers in the United States, and many from abroad, have booths and exhibits at BEA, and use the fair as an opportunity to showcase upcoming titles, sell current books, socialize with colleagues from other publishing houses, and sell and buy subsidiary rights and international rights (although not on the scale of the rights negotiation that occurs at the
Frankfurt Book Fair in October). Authors, librarians, and buyers for book retailers also attend the event.