Why the Forum was established: Standardize products of which the key element is their uniqueness?
How can production processes be streamlined to meet the evolving demands of the industry? Klopotek hosted the first Production in Publishing Forum in 2004, together with its partner arvato systems, Bertelsmann, and with support from consultant Joachim Brunold. Many companies had their doubts in the beginning: Was it feasible to compare production processes for different types of publishing houses? In only five years, however, the Production in Publishing Forum has seen enormous success and a steadily growing number of participants. And it has helped tremendously drive progress around standardization.

Expanding the range of topics in 2009: Rethinking the entire publishing business from scratch
The Forum has fully embraced the impact of changes brought about by the digitization of information within the publishing industry: the development of the market, the effects of globalization, and the potential of new forms and models of content distribution have opened a new perspective on production processes.The operations and procedures that are necessary for producing and distributing content – irrespective of whether they are carried out in-house or by external service providers – must be managed and monitored in their entirety. This is why the Production in Publishing Forum was renamed Publishers’ Forum in 2009. It became an event targeted at everybody involved in publishing processes.

Selecting a new venue to accommodate more people for 2010: Inspiring ideas need an inspiring space
Over 190 publishing professionals took part in the 2009 ‘from editorial to market’ event – exceeding the maximum the venue could hold. So after six successful events at the magnificent Bertelsmann-Repräsentanz, adjacent to the Unter den Linden Opera House, a new location for the Forum had to be found. Klopotek managed to secure a location that has all the resources required for sparking creative thought about new ways of doing publishing – even for a large group of participants: The 2010 event was hosted at the axica conference and convention center, which was selected second best „Top International Purpose-Built Venue“ by UK magazine „C&IT – Conference and Incentive Travel“ in 2009. The axica is one of the most inspiring and exclusive conference and convention centers that the German capital has to offer and is located right next to the Brandenburg Gate.

The 2011 event (held at axica) attracted over 300 participants.

Staying on top of digitization: reasons to take part in the 2012 event (will be held at axica)
The Forum’s aim is to help participants stay ahead of the crowd. It is our firm belief that continuing doing business as you’re doing it today is just as dangerous as trying to do business the way it was done yesterday. Not thinking ahead and forward now – not investing now – will make it increasingly difficult for companies both to strengthen their current market position and to move into emerging market segments.
It is vital to experiment now, while failing and re-trying is still cheap, explains the Forum’s organizer Helmut von Berg, Director of Klopotek: “We should address the challenges imposed by digitization by being more creative: This is far more important than thinking about which technology to use and acquire and which know-how to build.”
If you’re considering fresh, innovative approaches or if you’re looking for new ways of doing business, be inspired by the Publishers’ Forum. Put ideas to the test and learn about other people’s new ideas.
Just don’t sit back and wait while others are shaping the future of publishing.