Here at BookNet Canada we're proud to have gathered a lineup of knowledgeable and reputable speakers for the 2020 Tech Forum conference and we want to keep on sharing the exciting new additions to the program with all of you.
Tech Forum will take place in Toronto from March 23-25. Visit the Tech Forum website to learn more about the conference, see who else is speaking, and more. Ready to register? Click here.
Already got tickets but now you see an interesting session on a day you haven’t registered for? No worries, we’ve made it easy for you to upgrade your existing ticket: See how to add a day or two here.
Day two: March 24
The Testaments: A sales, marketing, and supply chain case study
Athmika Punja works closely with sales, fulfillment, and customer service on projects to improve their supply chain. Her team at Penguin Random House Canada covers customer operations, sales assistance, publisher operations, as well as co-op processes. Prior to her four years at PRHC, she was in operations at ECW Press for four years.
Erin Kelly has worked in publishing for more than 15 years, in both Publicity and Marketing. She has been at Penguin Random House Canada for seven years, where she currently oversees Marketing for McClelland & Stewart and Strange Light.
Sarah Howland is the Imprint Sales Manager for McClelland & Stewart and its imprints Signal and Strange Light, as well as for Penguin Random House Audio, and a selection of Penguin Random House US imprints and client publishers distributed into Canada. Prior to joining Penguin Random House Canada in 2014, Sarah completed a Master’s Degree from the University of Edinburgh in Literature & Transatlanticism. She loves reading books, talking books, and solving book-related problems.
The value of digital in public libraries
As the VP of Content Strategy for Midwest Tape, Brad Rose is responsible for directing content strategy for the market leader in media distribution to public libraries in North America. This includes directing publishing relationships, new business development, and content acquisitions. Previously, Brad launched Midwest Tape’s publishing arm, Dreamscape Media, which now publishes audiobooks, produces children’s animated video, and provides feature film and audiobook distribution services. Brad also currently serves on the Audiobook Publisher’s Association board of directors. Prior to joining Midwest Tape, Brad worked in multiple roles at Paramount Pictures; most recently, as Director of Sales, responsible for their home entertainment business with the largest retail and distribution clients in North America.
Day three: March 25
Pre-publication trends: Using early data to refine launch strategies
Kristina Radke is the VP of Business Growth at NetGalley, a service to connect publishers and authors with a community of early influencers. She has more than 10 years of experience in book marketing, publicity and client relationships, serves on the board of directors for the IBPA, and is a proud graduate of the NYU master’s program for book publishing.
Jennifer Gauthier is Associate Publisher at Greystone Books where she oversees worldwide sales and marketing. Her prior publishing roles have included Sales Manager at D&M Publishers and Account Manager at BookNet Canada. She is currently the chair of the board of the Association of Book Publishers of British Columbia. Under Jen’s direction, Greystone Books has achieved multiple New York Times bestsellers, launched a successful children’s book imprint, and was named one of the fastest growing Independent publishers by Publishers Weekly.
Creating caring spaces: A panel about sustainable community care in publishing
Jessica Johns is a nehiyaw aunty and member of Sucker Creek First Nation in Treaty 8 territory in Northern Alberta and is currently living and learning on the traditional territory of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples. She is the Managing Editor for Room Magazine and a co-organizer of the Indigenous Brilliance reading series. Her short story, “The Bull of the Cromdale,” was nominated for a 2019 National Magazine Award in fiction and her debut poetry chapbook, How Not to Spill, won the 2019 BP Nichol Chapbook Award.
Watch Tech Forum recordings for the first time or re-watch them at your leisure.