On Tuesday this week, trade show organizer ReedPop announced that its book publishing shows BookExpo and BookCon are being “retired.”

ReedPop, the pop culture event–focused subdivision of Reed Exhibitions, said that uncertainty surrounding in-person events related to the coronavirus pandemic had led to the decision to “retire” the current iteration of events.

“Show director Jenny Martin noted that the pandemic arrived ‘at a time in the life cycle of BookExpo and BookCon where we were already examining the restructure of our events,’” , reports Andrew Albanese, Publishers Weekly senior writer.

The move hardly comes as a complete surprise to the industry, though it leaves New York City – the nation’s publishing heart -- without a major trade publishing event.

“Post-COVID,I hope we can find a way to create a publishing event that will work,” Albanese tells CCC’s Chris Kenneally. “I enjoyed seeing everyone here in New York every year. It was always hectic, but always fun.”