Supporting Innovation and Connection at the Sharjah International Book Fair

It was an exceptional week for Shimmr at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) and Publishers Conference, with our CEO Nadim and Chief Revenue Officer Brooke Dobson leading our presence at this prestigious event. The fair was particularly significant with the attendance of Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi and Bodour Al Qasimi, who reinforced their dedication to literature's role in advancing humanity. A highlight was the completion of Sheikh Al Qasimi's comprehensive Arabic language dictionary project, marked by a signing ceremony at the fair's opening.

Brooke delivered an impactful presentation on 'AI for Book Discoverability and Marketing' which drew significant attention. The discussions revealed an evolving industry perspective, moving from questioning AI's role to exploring its practical implementation. Meanwhile, Nadim embraced multiple roles – from CEO to author – engaging in panel discussions, radio interviews about AI and publishing, and even finding time for some motorcycle adventures!

The event demonstrated the incredible value of in-person industry gatherings, fostering meaningful dialogue across publishing's diverse perspectives and markets. Special thanks to Publishers Without Borders, particularly Prashant Pathak and Emma House, for their role in bringing together publishers from around the world. We're also grateful to Markus Dohle for supporting Shimmr's growing presence in the global publishing community.

A key takeaway from our interactions with publishers, dignitaries, media, technologists, and students was clear: while publishing's future will continue to embrace innovative technology, it will remain fundamentally human-centered. We extend our gratitude to the Sharjah Book Authority for hosting such a phenomenal event that continues to create valuable opportunities for knowledge exchange and collaboration.