For Exhibitors

Finding Inspiration in Every Turn

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Welcome to the Book Fair

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Whether you're a returning exhibitor or new to the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair, this page is your resource for important information you'll need to get the most out of your participation in the southeast's largest antiquarian book fair. On this page, you'll find links to download the important forms you'll need. Above, you’ll find a special video interview with several exhibitors, both newcomers and stalwart regulars at the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair. We think their perspective will be helpful for antiquarian book dealers who are considering participation in our Book Fair.

First, why should we, as a trade, support in-person book fairs?

The antiquarian book trade stands at a critical juncture, facing both the challenge and opportunity presented by an increasingly digital world. The convenience of digital platforms often obscures the true essence of our profession, which lies in the preservation, interpretation, and physical experience of genuine historical materials. We must act proactively to protect our industry, and the annual in-person book fair stands as our most cost-effective solution.

Educational Outreach:

In a digital world, the public often confuses an online image with the value of an original manuscript, first edition, or historic binding. The book fair provides a public education forum that digital marketing cannot replicate.

The book fair centralizes your audience. For the costs of booth fees, travel, and labor, you get direct access to hundreds of collectors, researchers, and students. The book fair allows you to:

Provide Context: Physically demonstrate the nuances of printing, paper, and provenance.
Mentor New Collectors: Engage directly with people to demystify collecting terminology and processes.
Validate Preservation: Tangibly prove why original materials matter, countering the myth that digital archives are "good enough."

Investing in Your Future: Recruitment & Community

Exhibiting is a direct investment in the long-term viability of the antiquarian book trade on two critical levels:

Recruiting New Collectors: Fairs turn buying into a social, theatrical event. This appeals directly to younger generations who prioritize experiential commerce. New collectors are built through conversations, not clicks. Face-to-face interactions provide the trust, enthusiasm, and guidance needed to turn a casual browser into a lifelong client.

Strengthening Professional Bonds: The fair is a vital hub for peer-to-peer networking, mentorship, and knowledge transfer. Consulting with colleagues, authenticating items, and discussing market trends provides essential professional development that maintains the integrity of our profession.

Upfront costs like inventory transport and staff travel can be daunting. However, the Return on Investment for future-proofing your business remains unmatched. The decision to participate in book fairs should be viewed as a mandatory operational cost, however, akin to insurance or inventory management, but with the unique benefit of directly investing in the future human capital of the trade. By maintaining a vibrant, in-person presence, we leverage the fair's high-efficiency platform to educate the public on the importance of original materials and cultivate the next generation of collectors, ensuring the continuity and relevance of the antiquarian book trade for years to come.

Thank you for your interest and have a great fair!

DOWNLOAD
the 2027 Dealer Packet

Alcove Application

Some dealers wish to take advantage of the unique architecture in The Coliseum by exhibiting in the alcoves that line the main floor on the east and west sides. Alcove spaces are 15 feet by 14 feet and come with up a combination of up to six 6-foot and 8-foot tables, an exhibitor sign, ID badges, two chairs, bags and seals, for a fee of $1,200. It is very important that you fill in both pages of your Alcove Application as soon as possible. Changes in Name Badges, Program Listings, and Table Numbers should all be made before February 1st. Please ensure that you've signed the form in the appropriate place. Please keep an extra copy of this form for your personal records.

Booth Application

Florida Antiquarian Book Fair provides booths for exhibitors on the floor of The Coliseum. Booths are 10 feet by 8 feet and come with two curtained, covered 8-foot tables, (a third 6-foot table is available for a $35 fee), two floor lights, an exhibitor sign, ID badges, two chairs, and bags and seals, for a fee of $600. It is very important that you fill in both pages of your Booth Application as soon as possible. Changes in Name Badges, Program Listings, and Table Numbers should all be made before February 1st. Please ensure that you've signed the form in the appropriate place. Please keep an extra copy of this form for your personal records.

Extra Booth Space

In some areas of The Coliseum, it is possible to extend the exhibit area beyond the booth or alcove size. (Please ask if yours is a qualifying location.) In those cases, the exhibitor may do so at a fee of $10 per square foot, a fee created both to offset increases in basic costs and to ensure that each dealer is paying an equal rate for the space he or she uses.

Promote the Book Fair

You can help make the Florida Antiquarian Book Fair a success by promoting it in your community. We have everything you need: posters, post cards, fliers and a press release. Just download the packet above and request the number of advertising materials you'd like. Then, start getting the word out to other booklovers!

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Advertise to book lovers

The book fair offers excellent opportunities to put your message in front of book lovers. If you are interested in supporting the book fair, or advertising your business to book fair attendees through our book fair program, please contact Sarah Smith (727) 234-7759.

Your listing

If you have exhibited with us before, your current listing is on our Exhibiting Dealers page. Please let us know if there are any corrections that should be made. Your program listing will be the same as the Web page listing, with the addition of your booth number.

Returning exhibitors: Did you already submit a Registration Form?

At the close of each show, exhibitors are given the opportunity to register early for the following year's fair. This Registration Form, and accompanying deposit, allows dealers to request specific booth assignments and to secure exhibition space. It is a notice of intent to exhibit. However, the Booth Application or Alcove Application is a binding agreement between Exhibitors and Management and is required for all exhibitors, along with the balance of the booth fees, for participation in the fair.

Late Fee

Please ensure that all changes to Program Listings, Table Numbers, and Name Tags are made before February 1st.

A $75 late charge will be added if all fees are not paid by January 10th.

Atlantic Showcase Rental Form

Please contact Atlantic Showcases directly, with the contact information provided on the form.

Please mail all application forms, payments, and correspondence to:

Florida Antiquarian Book Fair

c/o Lighthouse Books, ABAA

14046 Fifth Street

Dade City, FL 33525

Please click to download printable flier.

Please click to download form.

Office Manager