Tech Forum focuses on technology and collaboration in the book industry
Presented by BookNet Canada
Recently Added Sessions
Escape from the Forbidden Zone: Smuggling green and inclusive tech past the gatekeepers
- February 3, 2026
This talk offers practical, optimistic strategies to smuggle sustainability and accessibility into digital spaces.
What Thema can do: Leveraging metadata to support the discoverability of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis publishing and books by Indigenous authors
- January 22, 2026
Join us for a conversation about the latest developments and additions made to the subject classification system, Thema.
What ONIX can do: Leveraging metadata to support the discoverability of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis publishing and books by Indigenous authors
- January 15, 2026
Join us for an overview of the latest ONIX developments.
EU regulations for the North American book supply chain
- January 20, 2026
This session will provide up-to-date information on lesser-known EU regulations.
Ethical AI applied to publishing: Presenting wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, an AI tool for writing Indigenous content
- December 4, 2025
Meet wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, a writing tool that goes beyond grammar and spell check to assist non-Indigenous people in their efforts to write about Indigenous Peoples.
Embedding sustainability: Tips for ebook and print production
- October 23, 2025
In this session, we’ll explore practical ways to integrate sustainability into both print and ebook production.
A conversation about how Edmonton Public Library and Annick Press built a strong partnership to better serve and reach readers.
Ready, set, go: Pre-fall sales trends and data-driven insights
- September 23, 2025
A data-driven check-in that will help guide your next steps.
BookNet Canada Project Manager Tim Middleton recaps the highlights from 2024 for the BNC BiblioShare project.
Audiobooks for everyone: An accessibility-first approach
- September 11, 2025
A behind-the-scenes look at audiobook production with a focus on accessibility.
Insights into the US and Canadian tariffs.
A two-part presentation about book industry standards; what’s new and what may be next.
Browse Categories
Accessibility (31) Audiobooks (16) BookNet Canada (79) Bookselling (34) Business Operations (9) Diversity and Inclusion (28) Ebooks (132) Libraries (25) Marketing (42) Metadata (43) Publishing (80) Research (40) Technology (39)
Popular Sessions
This webinar explores emerging trends in the types of books Canadians are buying.
Unlocking the European market: Preparing to comply with the European Accessibility Act
- January 21, 2025
Join experts Chris Saynor and Wendy Reid as they guide Canadian publishers through the essentials of the European Accessibility Act.
An in-depth presentation of the most recent data on Canadian book buyers, readers, and consumers.
Audiobooks for everyone: An accessibility-first approach
- September 11, 2025
A behind-the-scenes look at audiobook production with a focus on accessibility.
Learn about the results from the Canadian Book Publishing Industry Salary Survey.
Green paths: Building a sustainable future in bookselling
- January 28, 2025
Learn strategies for greener bookselling with insights from experts, featuring Fanny Valembois and Amber Harrison. Hosted by Hilary Atleo.
Lily Dwyer updates us on what 2024 brought for SalesData and LibraryData.
This session is for book industry professionals eager to learn and apply Indigenous teachings to their work.
George Walkley answers pressing questions about AI’s impact and potential applications in the book industry.
Ready, set, go: Pre-fall sales trends and data-driven insights
- September 23, 2025
A data-driven check-in that will help guide your next steps.
A conversation about how Edmonton Public Library and Annick Press built a strong partnership to better serve and reach readers.
A two-part presentation about book industry standards; what’s new and what may be next.
Technology Focused Sessions
Ethical AI applied to publishing: Presenting wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, an AI tool for writing Indigenous content
- December 4, 2025
Meet wâsikan kisewâtisiwin, a writing tool that goes beyond grammar and spell check to assist non-Indigenous people in their efforts to write about Indigenous Peoples.
George Walkley answers pressing questions about AI’s impact and potential applications in the book industry.
Writing, editing, and designing books with AI-enhanced tools and workflows: Lessons learnt in a rapid content-creation context
- October 29, 2024
In this session, Dione Mentis from the Coko Foundation and Barbara Rühling from Book Sprints discuss how AI-enhanced tools are transforming book production workflows.
Christian Roy and Jean-Benoît Dumais delve into the practical applications of AI technology in the world of online bookstores.
Applying AI to publishing: A balanced and ethical approach
- September 10, 2024
Explore the future of publishing with George Walkley, a publishing veteran and leading authority on AI and its applications.
Digital transformation expert Mark Schrutt reveals how top companies are using vast amounts of data to inform their decisions, disrupt industries, and get closer to their customers.
Christian Roy (Brix Labs) gives an insight about the findings of Projet TAMIS, a project launched by Éditions du Septentrion in collaboration with Brix Labs to address discoverability challenges.
To understand the world today, we need to understand code and its consequences. Clive Thompson gives us a definitive look into the heart of the machine.
Case study: Metadata & the web at House of Anansi Press
- March 20, 2019
A case study of moving an online bookstore from one website to another — an epic tale, including the unexpected problems they encountered along the way and how they were solved or are being solved.
The panelists share their different approaches to applying ML/AI at their companies, highlighting both strengths and limitations, as they consider a vision of a more automated publishing workflow.
Can machines improve the storytelling process? Monica Landers and Mary Brendza (StoryFit) show how an AI-powered analysis can help storytellers visualize their stories and share real-life examples to support publishing decisions.
By working with startup companies, legacy companies can acquire new lines of business, increase strategic risk-taking, spark innovation, improve their relationships with customers, and streamline their operations.