AUPresses at the Inaugural Charleston Conference Asia

Cooperative Exhibits, General

By Kate Kolendo

Participating member press staff standing behind a long table of promotional materials, smiling and waving

The Association of University Presses (AUPresses) hosted a cooperative space at the inaugural Charleston Conference Asia (CCA), which took place on place on January 26-28, 2026, in Bangkok, Thailand. The space in the Conference’s Vendor Showcase was offered to members at competitive rates, and this was the Association’s first foray into programming in the Asia-Pacific region.

The AUPresses collective space at the CCA Vendor Showcase was a lovely success—the stand was completely booked, with six member presses participating: Edinburgh University Press, University of Hawaii Press, Hong Kong University Press, National Academies Press, NUS Press, and Princeton University Press. I organized the collective and managed the space on site, including representing those exhibiting members without staff in attendance.

Executive Director Peter Berkery attended the CCA, and also had the opportunity to represent AUPresses at an inaugural gathering of university presses from Africa and Southeast Asia. Taking place the day before CCA, the gathering brought together university presses from South Africa, Namibia, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Tanzania, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and the Philippines. The event was organized by Michael Duckworth (Hong Kong University Press), Trasvin Jittidecharak (Silkworm Books), Andrew Joseph (Wits University Press), and Peter Schoppert (National University of Singapore Press). AUPresses sponsored the luncheon.

13 people standing in front of a whiteboard projection that reads "African-Aligning Voices: African-Asian University Press Collaborative Workshop"
Publishers attending the “African-Aligning Voices: African-Asian University Press Collaborative Workshop”

“The Association is committed to strengthening regional networks of university press collaboration,” Berkery emphasized with meeting attendees and reflected on the experience. “Focusing on common challenges and opportunities, and continuing these discussions, is vital work. One of the many benefits of an event like Charleston Asia is that it provides space for these conversations to blossom and flourish. AUPresses will continue to capitalize on the exceptional opportunity offered by events such as Charleston Conference Asia.”

Read a full recap of the event at the Charleston Hub. 

AUPresses has hosted a cooperative space at the original (South Carolina) Charleston Conference Vendor Showcase since 2023. Unlike the US Charleston Conference, where there is only one dedicated day for the Vendor Showcase, the Charleston Conference Asia Vendor Showcase lasted for the full conference. Working with the international edition of the Charleston Conference in its first year, AUPresses aimed to open up new avenues of value for Association members—particularly those in the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting our mission to represent members across the globe. The Association looks forward to news of a next iteration of the international Charleston, in hopes that we can continue a fruitful venture.

Large floor-stand banner next to a long table full of promotional materials. The Association of University Presses logo appears at the top of the banner, followed by logos for the participating presses Edinburgh University Press, University of Hawaii Press, Hong Kong University Press, National Academies Press, NUS Press, and Princeton University Press.

“Terrific meeting with many updates and insights on Open Access and other library trends in Asia, especially China, Malaysia and India. Very well organized, steady traffic in exhibit hall with ample program breaks—several new vendor dialogues and emerging partnerships. Excellent to meet other AUPresses member staff from Edinburgh, Princeton in China, and NUS Press, and talk also with Kate Kolendo and Peter Berkery about various initiatives including Asia-African press collaborations and future plans for Frankfurt and other calendar highlights like IPA in Kuala Lumpur in July. Thanks Kate and AUPresses for coordinating everything so well!!!”

Michael Duckworth, Publisher, Hong Kong University Press

“As a first-time attendee to a library conference of any sort I really learned a lot! Mostly I learned how little I know about library sales! And about how much mind-share the big platforms and players have in this kind of venue. NUS Press relies on our vendors to reach libraries, but [attending events like this] does give us some ideas about how we might work with them, and independently, to activate the different channels. And I really appreciated the cooperation and sharing between those attendees who were able to be there in person.”

Peter Schoppert, Director, NUS Press

Kolendo is AUPresses Community Development and Communications Manager.