Former President Bill Clinton to Give BEA Keynote Address

Former President Bill Clinton

On Monday, April 26, BookExpo America (BEA) announced that former President Bill Clinton will greet thousands of booksellers and book industry professionals when he presents this year's BEA Opening Night Keynote Address on Thursday, June 3, at 6:00 p.m. President Clinton will speak to the audience about his upcoming memoir, My Life, to be published by Knopf at the end of June. It will be President Clinton's first appearance on behalf of the book.

"Speaking before our audience gives testament to the value President Clinton places on the importance of books, and the book community is eager to hear him speak at their convention," noted Greg Topalian, vice president and show director for BEA, in a prepared statement. "We're honored that the President has chosen BEA as his first public appearance on behalf of his forthcoming work, and we welcome him to our stage."

Paul Bogaards, senior vice president and executive director of media relations for Knopf, who will be overseeing President Clinton's national tour on behalf of My Life, said, "Most people know the President is an avid book reader and collector, one who is ever appreciative of the work booksellers do. He is looking forward to his appearance at BookExpo America and is certain to feel at home in the company of booksellers."

This year's BEA will be held from Thursday, June 3, to Sunday, June 6, at Chicago's McCormick Place Convention Center. The Keynote Address is open to all BEA badged participants. Registration for the Keynote Address is not required, but attendees must present their badge for entrance to the Grand Ballroom, where the event will be held.

For general BEA information, call (800) 840-5614 or visit the BEA Web site at www.bookexpoamerica.com. For information about ABA programming at BEA, including ABA's Thursday All-Day Education Program, click here.