NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 04/10/12 -- The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) announced today the preliminary program and speakers for Digital Book 2012 at BEA (idpf.org/db12). The conference, held in partnership with BookExpo America (BEA), will be held June 4-5, 2012, in New York City's Javits Center, and is expected to draw global leaders in the publishing industry, including technologists, marketers, retailers, solution providers, publishers, authors, and agents.

The world's longest-established executive and professional conference focused on digital publishing, IDPF Digital Book 2012 will provide attendees with the opportunity to network with trailblazers and leaders in the digital publishing industry through keynote sessions, expert panels and in-depth demonstrations. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the accelerating digital transformation of the book publishing industry, and will receive the necessary tools to achieve success during this time of tremendous change.

Featured speakers at Digital Book 2012 will include best-selling authors Seth Godin and Bella Andre, as well as publishing CEOs and senior executives including Jane Friedman (Open Road Media), Madeline McIntosh (Random House), Otis Chandler (Goodreads), Matt MacInnis (Inkling), Vikram Savkar (Nature Group), Ken Brooks (Cengage), Samantha Cohen (Simon & Schuster), Tom Turvey (Google), Kent Freeman (VitalSource), George Coe (Baker & Taylor), Ian Singer (Library Journal), Dominique Raccah (SourceBooks), Richard Nash (Small Demons), Eric Hellman (unglue.it), and Ernie Sander & Laura Owen (paidcontent.org). Noted technologists presenting at Digital Book 2012 include Liz Castro, Peter Meyers, Liza Daly (Safari Books Online), Bill Kasdorf (Apex), Woody Sears (iStoryTime), Micah Bowers (Bluefire), Roger Webster (Barnes & Noble), and Dave Cramer (Hachette Book Group).

"In 2012 eBooks have not only become mainstream, but a business imperative for everyone in publishing," said Bill McCoy, Executive Director, IDPF. "The conversation is rapidly evolving from digitizing lists into finding new ways to deliver and monetize content to reach more readers, and engage more deeply with them. The challenges are immense, so IDPF Digital Book 2012's program will provide up-to-the-minute information on everything going on in our industry, helping to give executives and professionals critical tools they need to navigate in these turbulent times."

Topics covered in the one-and-a-half day program will include "indie" authors parlaying eBooks sales into best-seller status, publishers marketing and selling directly to readers, and startups enabling breakthrough business models and new forms of book and content-focused online communities. Enhanced, interactive, and high-design eBooks will be covered in-depth from both business and enabling technology perspectives. The latest digital book delivery options will be reviewed -- including e-Readers, tablets, apps, websites, and formats -- as well as the latest tools -- including HTML5, EPUB® 3, Kindle KF8, Apple iBooks Author, Inkling Habitat, Adobe InDesign CS6, and more. You'll get exclusive real-world case studies, not vendor pitches, including a first-person report from a high school finishing its first year as an e-textbook-only campus. You'll learn about direct distribution, and who and what you need to know to get your content distributed in North America and globally.

In addition to networking breaks and sponsor exhibits, this year's program has been enhanced with two all-new participatory, interactive events. "Table Topics," an interactive round-table session Monday afternoon will feature experts leading interactive conversations on specific subject areas and today's burning issues. And, a first-ever "Ignite@BEA" on Monday evening will feature startups and innovators giving rapid-first 5-minute talks where slides auto-advance every 20 seconds. Digital Book 2012 also adds a third track of breakout sessions focused on education, STMS & professional publishing going digital, in addition to tracks on business & marketing and technology and production.

The preliminary program is available online at http://idpf.org/digital-book-2012/program, and the preliminary speaker list is available at http://idpf.org/digital-book-2012/speakers.

Paid admission to IDPF Digital Book 2012 includes free admission to the BookExpo America trade show and exhibit hall, including the Digital Discovery Zone by IDPF. Early bird rates are in effect through April 27, 2012. Registration is an incredible value at $349 ($229 for IDPF members / $289 non-profits). To register, please visit: http://idpf.org/db12. Follow show information on twitter at #digitalbook2012. Another new feature is a limited-availability "Super Saver Combo Pass" that enables you to attend both IDPF Digital Book 2012 and Publishers Launch BEA for $624 ($504 for IDPF members / $564 non-profits) during the early bird period.

IDPF Digital Book 2012 sponsors include Baker and Taylor, Ingram Content Group/VitalSource, Overdrive, SPi Global, Apex CoVantage, Aptara, Evident Point, Copia, Gutenberg Technology, Attributor, BlueFire, Book Business Magazine, Publishers Weekly and Book Industry Study Group (BISG). Limited sponsorship opportunities remain. Please contact Wendy Erman Wels for details at digitalbook2012@idpf.org.

About the International Digital Publishing Forum
The International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) is a non-profit trade and standards organization for the digital publishing industry with a membership of over 300 companies and organizations from 35 different countries. IDPF is responsible for the EPUB open standard interchange and delivery format for digital books and publications and related technical information to promote the development and growth of the global digital publishing market. Proceeds from Digital Book 2012 conference directly support the organization's mission and work. Further information about the IDPF, including membership information, can be obtained by visiting idpf.org. EPUB is a registered trademark of IDPF.