Innovation meets publishing in Hall 4.0: Science, education, business information and publishing partners
Diverse specialist programme on the Innovation Stage, Librarians Day on the Friday of the fair, micro-conferences with the Society for Scholarly Publishing, Bookwire and the Charleston Conference
This is where the future of the publishing and information industry comes into focus: international academic publishers, providers of specialist information and educational media, and publishing service providers present their programmes and solutions in Frankfurter Buchmesse’s Hall 4.0. On the Innovation Stage (4.0 H106), future-oriented industry topics will take centre stage in product presentations and micro-conferences.
Science, business information and librarianship
The international scientific and specialist publishing sector occupies the aisles C to F in Hall 4.0. They all have something in common when it comes to topics such as open access, artificial intelligence and new forms of scientific communication. Libraries play a key role as consumers and mediators of information – something that is also reflected in the stage programme in the hall: on Friday, Librarians Day will provide inspiration on open access models and library services on the Innovation Stage (4.0 H106).
Publishing Partners make their mark
Publishing Partners – service providers to the international publishing and information industry – also have a strong presence in the hall. Their exhibition area is located at the front of the hall, primarily in aisles E to H. They offer, for example, software solutions, consulting services and digital tools, and support publishers and libraries in their digital transformation and other challenges.
In digital masterclasses, in the week leading up to the start of the fair, they will be providing insights into topics such as artificial intelligence, e-bookand audio production, and digital distribution channels. (https://www.buchmesse.de/en/highlights/professional-programme/digital-formats/masterclasses ) At the fair itself, this group of exhibitors will be taking to the Innovation Stage, particularly on Thursday afternoon. (See below for event tips.)
International educational media and EdTech
In addition to science and publishing services, Hall 4.0 is also an exhibition area for international education providers, which are primarily located in aisles A and B. The group of exhibitors from Singapore has grown. The school system there is internationally regarded as particularly effective and is strongly oriented towards global standards. That is why its learning materials are in demand internationally. In the field of educational technology (EdTech), providers offer innovative, technology-based educational content, including for teaching foreign languages.
German-language educational media providers are spread across Hall Levels 3.0 and 3.1. This is also where the Education Forum (Forum Bildung, 3.1 D12) is located, offering a German-language programme on issues relating to education policy, pedagogy and didactics, as well as the current framework conditions for educational media publishers. New this year is the ‘Praxis-Forum Bildung’, which will feature panel discussions and workshops on Friday of the fair aimed at teachers and other educational professionals. The Education Forum is a collaboration between Frankfurter Buchmesse and the Association of Educational Media (Verband Bildungsmedien e. V.).
Innovation Stage – with the new Friday Innovation Talks
The former Stage 4.0 will now be known as the Innovation Stage, powered by Digital Science, from 2025 onwards. It is located in aisle H, stand 106, directly adjacent to a networking area. Here, the topics of the hall are condensed into a curated programme: AI, Open Access and freedom of research and publication are the top topics that will be discussed in lectures, micro-conferences and networking formats. New this year are the ‘Friday Innovation Talks powered by Frankfurter Buchmesse, Bookwire and Pondus’ (17 October 2025, 2.30–5 p.m.). The Society for Scholarly Publishing, the Charleston Conference, Springer Nature, Cambridge University Press and Elsevier are among those involved in the curated stage programme. The complete programme for the Innovation Stage can be found here(opens in a new window). Programme highlights can be found further down in this press release.
Offers for young professionals and Campus Weekend
Early on Wednesday morning, bookcareers.com will kick off with a one-hour event entitled ‘How to Futureproof your Publishing Career’ (15 October 2025, 9:00-10:00 a.m., Innovation Stage) – and will be of interest not only to young professionals. This event will be complemented by a free coaching offer from the ‘bookcareers Career Clinic at Frankfurt’, which can be booked at 15-minute intervals on Friday during the fair. Advance appointments must be booked online by clicking this link(opens in a new window).
On the weekend, Hall 4.0 will focus on students and young professionals. Campus Weekend opens up new opportunities: career tips and networking at Young Professionals Day (Mediacampus Frankfurt and Börsenverein) as well as insights into science and research. The central point of contact is the Innovation Stage (Hall 4.0 H106), where a job board will be set up on both days. Additional information is available at the Azubistro (Hall 1.2 F27). The event language for Campus Weekend is German.
Programme excerpt:
Innovation Stage (Hall 4.0 H106)
Wednesday, 15.10.2025, 11.00-11.30 a.m.
The Art of the (Scholarly) Crime: Catching Authors Before They Fool Us (Digital Science)
Wednesday, 15.10.2025, 4.00-4.30 p.m.
Science in Exile and Anonymous Publishing: Risks, Rights, and Responsibilitie
Berlin Institute for Scholarly Publishing (BISP)
Thursday, 16.10.2025, 9.00-11.00 a.m.
SSP & TSK Micro-Conference: Simmering Issues with The Scholarly Kitchen Chefs
Thursday, 16.10.2025, 1.30-2.00 p.m.
Trust in science and news: navigating in the age of AI (Springer Nature)
Thursday, 16.10.2025, 2.00-6.00 p.m.
Product presentations by Publishing Partners (including Kitaboo, Klopotek, EBCONT, Fonto, Integra, MPS Limited, EDRLab)
Friday, 17.10.2025, 9.00 a.m.-1.30 p.m.
Librarians Day including the Charleston Conference (9.00-11.00 Uhr)
Friday, 17.10.2025, 2.30-5.00 p.m.
Friday Innovation Talks powered by Frankfurter Buchmesse, Bookwire and Pondus
Centre Stage (Hall 4.1 B68)
Wednesday, 15.10.2025, 3.00-4.00 p.m., Centre Stage
Beyond Diversity: Entering the Belonging & Inclusion Era (Elsevier, International Publishers Association, United Nations Publications)
Thursday, 16.10.2025, 12.00-1.00 p.m., Centre Stage
The Hof live – AI and the Battle for Reality (United Nations, IVOW AI, Springer Nature)
Asia Stage (Hall 5.1, A75)
Wednesday, 15.10.2025, 4.00-5.00 p.m., Asia Stage
How Revolutionary is Academic Publishing in Asia? With: Guest of Honour, The Philippines
Thursday, 16.10.2025, 1.00-2.00 p.m., Asia Stage
How has Generative AI changed the university landscape? With: Guest of Honour, The Philippines
Friday, 17.10.2025, 10.00-11.00 Uhr, Asia Stage
Publishing Services in Asia With: Guest of Honour, The Philippines
Frankfurt Studio (Hall 4.0, Room Europa))
Thursday, 16.10.2025, 3.00-5.30 p.m., Frankfurt Studio
“Academic Track“ in the Frankfurt Studio (with: CCC, Wiley, Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation)