Masterclasses and The Hof: From AI to personal branding
From mid-May onwards, Frankfurter Buchmesse will be bringing the international publishing community together through its digital professional programme. The schedule includes practical Masterclasses as well as new events within the online networking format “The Hof.” Both formats are free of charge for participants and will take place live via Zoom. New for this year, both the FBM Masterclasses and The Hof will offer translated captions, so people can follow all live sessions in their preferred language.
Deep dives, tips and tricks: Frankfurter Buchmesse Masterclasses
Frankfurter Buchmesse’s compact Masterclasses are aimed at professionals from the international publishing and media industries. The topics of the digital sessions, taking place from 18 to 21 May 2026, include AI adoption by companies, personal branding in self-publishing, deep dives into digital publishing, and a special session for everyone planning to attend #fbm26 as a trade visitor. Each one-hour session offers expert input as well as time for exchange and individual questions.
More information and free registration: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/masterclasses(opens in a new window)
Dates and topics in May:
- Successfully Introducing AI in Your Company: Change, Use Cases & Adoption
Monday, 18 May 2026, 15:00–16:00 CEST
Language: GERMAN, with translated captions
With: Svenja Nefen (Head of Customer Success, knk Group), and Justin Brinkmann (AI Strategy Consultant, Nordic AI Solutions) - From Book to Brand: Personal Branding for Self-Publishers and Authors
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 12:00–13:00 CEST
Language: GERMAN, with translated captions
With: Deborah Klein (PR Consultant) - Your eBook Works Perfectly – Until a Real Student Tries to Use It
Wednesday, 20 May 2026, 16:00–17:00 CEST
Language: ENGLISH, with translated captions
With: Darshit Shah (Segment Lead – Marketing, KITABOO), and Pavan Modh (Business Manager, KITABOO) - How to #fbm26: Prepare Your Book Fair Visit as a Trade Visitor
Thursday, 21 May 2026, 14:00–15:00 CEST
Language: ENGLISH, with translated captions
With: Hanife İçten (Key Account Manager, Frankfurter Buchmesse), Charlotte Boschen (Key Account Manager, Frankfurter Buchmesse), and Ekrem Dursun (Founder, Clavis Aurea)
A second Masterclasses block will take place from 21 to 25 September 2026. If you would like to host a session, you can apply here: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/masterclasses(opens in a new window)
New “The Hof” events: networking and expert talks in a relaxed atmosphere
With “The Hof,” Frankfurt Book Fair offers the international publishing community a digital space for expert talks and lively networking. The one-hour live sessions are hosted by journalist and podcaster Felix Zeltner. Live music and breakout sessions create an engaging atmosphere and opportunities to make new connections.
In May, Diana Passy Yip will join as a guest. She is a literary scout and the owner of Brazil’s pop literature festival FLIPOP, which is specifically aimed at young readers. She has also curated the São Paulo International Book Fair and is considered an expert in working with literary communities. She will be joined in the session by Lukas Hoffmann, the founder of Bookie. Bookie is a German social reading platform that connects readers through shared reads, recommendations and digital and in-person community experiences. It operates in partnership with publishing houses and bookshops.
More information and free registration: https://www.buchmesse.de/en/thehof(opens in a new window)
Upcoming dates and topics:
- From Books to Experiences – The New Ways of Reading
Thursday, 28 May 2026, 16:00–17:00 CEST
Language: ENGLISH, with translated captions
With: Diana Passy Yip (literary scout and owner of Harmonia Literária), Lukas Hoffmann (founder of Bookie) - Thursday, 10 September 2026, 16:00–17:00 CEST
More information coming soon at buchmesse.de/en/thehof - The Hof live at Frankfurter Buchmesse
Language: ENGLISH
More information coming soon at buchmesse.de/en/thehof
The digital format “The Hof” has its origins in the 72nd Frankfurter Buchmesse in 2020, which was held online due to the pandemic. The name is a deliberate homage to the lobby of the Frankfurter Hof: for decades, this traditional luxury hotel has been the legendary informal meeting place for the industry during the book fair in October. What began as a stopgap solution has long since established itself as a permanent fixture – with steadily growing international popularity far beyond the pandemic period.