Between 19 and 20 April 2026, around 300 booksellers from 34 countries gathered in Verona, Italy, for the 4th edition of the RISE Bookselling Conference, organised by the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) team. 

As tradition goes, we began with a cultural tour on the Saturday before the official start of the conference, where attendees discovered the host city by foot. Participants explored a selection of bookshops nestled in Verona’s historic centre, from major national chains such as Mondadori, Feltrinelli and Giunti to independent gems like Pagina Dodici and Gulliver. Around 150 attendees took part, discovering not only the city’s rich history and charm, but also gaining insight into the local bookselling landscape. 

The tour was followed by a welcome reception at the charming Biblioteca Capitolare, the oldest library in the world still functioning to this day. Guests enjoyed a glass of wine and aperitivo in the stunning cloister, while also having the opportunity to visit the library and explore some of the oldest texts in Italian history. 

Day 1 

The conference opened with a keynote by Stefan Carsten, German futurologist and lecturer, who invited participants to rethink the spaces surrounding bookshops and consider how stronger neighbourhood synergies can benefit their businesses. 

Sessions throughout the day explored key themes such as foresight in bookselling, the development of digital learning hubs, and insights into the Italian book market. Workshops provided hands-on learning opportunities, alongside bookseller-to-bookseller conversations on practical topics including self-censorship in bookshops, learning from failures and overcoming challenges, and effective people management. 

Additional sessions focused on how young booksellers envision the future of the profession, as well as community initiatives that make a meaningful impact. A recurring highlight of the conference, the Ignite Talks, once again inspired attendees, with booksellers sharing one idea that has worked exceptionally well in their stores. 

One of the most emotional and inspiring moments came from the second keynote, Jorge Cabezas Montañana, a bookseller from Valencia, Spain. After losing his bookshop, Somnis de Paper, in the devastating floods of 2024, he spoke about resilience, determination, and rebuilding both a business and a community. 

The final keynote of the day was delivered by Espérance Hakuzwimana, Italian author and activist of Rwandan origin. Her talk explored representation in literature and the important role bookshops can play in fostering inclusivity. 

The day concluded with a networking aperitivo and a dinner featuring Italian delicacies, offering further opportunities to connect and exchange ideas. The event also provided a special moment to celebrate the 80th anniversary of EIBF long-standing member, the Italian Booksellers Association (Associazione Librai Italiani, ALI). 

Day 2 

Monday’s programme opened with a talk by Jasmine Darban, a Swedish influencer and BookToker, who examined how young audiences engage with literature on social media and how bookshops can tap into these conversations in meaningful ways. 

Subsequent sessions covered a wide range of topics, including curating international representation beyond Western narratives, managing successful bookshop succession, using the Thema classification system for the benefit of bookselling, sustainability in bookshops, and promoting inclusivity within teams. Reading promotion also featured prominently. 

Afternoon panels explored bookselling perspectives on artificial intelligence, strategies for building diverse and profitable event offers, and the challenges bookshops face in an increasingly complex political landscape, including risks, responsibilities, and the power of civic engagement. 

The conference closed with a conversation led by Dr Jessica Sänger, Director for European and International Affairs at the Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels. She interviewed Georgian author Iva Pezuashvili, winner of the European Union Prize for Literature for The Garbage Chute. Their discussion addressed freedom of expression in the context of political pressure and government influence. 

To wrap up this inspiring edition of the RISE conference, participants gathered for a final round of drinks, one last opportunity to celebrate, connect, and reflect. 

In total, the conference featured 6 workshops, 5 presentations, 13 panels, and 5 keynote speeches, bringing together 71 speakers. Out of the 300 attendees, we were pleased to welcome 168 first timers. 

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who made this edition unforgettable: from our conference coordinator to the AV team, caterers, photographer and videographer, illustrator, graphic designer, the Chamber of Commerce for hosting us, our sponsors, and, of course, the book sector professionals who travelled from all over the world to join us. 

Whether this was your first RISE conference, you’ve joined us before, or you plan to attend in the future, we look forward to seeing you at the 5th edition, which will take place in Galway, Ireland, on 18–19 April 2027. 

See you there!