Intergraf, in partnership with Smithers will host the 2026 edition of its Shaping the Future series focused on the book sector. The full-day conference scheduled for 19 February in Brussels. The event will bring together experts from across Europe’s book value chain to address the fundamental changes reshaping the publishing and print landscape, from shifts in reading habits to advances in print-on-demand and the growing pressure for sustainable production models.

The program will explore key themes including the state of the European book market, consumer behavior trends, the strategic role of print in a digital era, and the impact of EU policy on cultural access, education and book production. Participants will hear insights from Smithers, leading academics, major publishers and printers, online book influencers and the European Commission. The mix of data-driven analysis, practical case studies and policy discussion aims to equip stakeholders with a clearer view of the sector’s long-term trajectory.

Registration also includes the European Book Market Report prepared by Smithers, providing a comprehensive analysis of market performance and the latest trends shaping book production and consumption. The event will be framed by networking opportunities, beginning with a welcome cocktail on 18 February and concluding with a dinner on the evening of the conference.

Intergraf has arranged preferred-rate accommodation at the Cardo Brussels hotel, with room blocks released in phases on 18 December 2025 and 18 January 2026. The organization encourages early booking. As part of a broader series highlighting key segments of the European print industry, this edition continues Intergraf’s initiative to advance industry collaboration and provide a forum for examining the structural changes occurring across the book ecosystem.