German book industry recognizes rising young professionals

At the Frankfurt Book Fair, the 2025 Börsenblatt Young Excellence Award winner was revealed, honoring young professionals transforming the book and media industry.

This year, the award was given to Tobias Groß, bookseller and former spokesperson for the two-day Parliament of the Future forum, in recognition of his “active work in the book industry.” The award ceremony took place during the Frankfurt Book Fair on Oct. 16, 2025.

“The great response to this year’s award, both from within the industry and beyond, greatly impressed us,” said Börsenblatt editor and award project manager Kai-Uwe Vogt. “Young professionals play a key role in making the book industry more open and better. The award and its networking opportunities are designed to support them in this. Groß is passionate about supporting students and newcomers to the profession. He works tirelessly for the future of the book trade.”

Groß i serves on the Börsenverein’s vocational training and retail book trade committees, and since 2024 has led training at Thalia in Leipzig. In 2022, during his professional training, Groß was offered the position of spokesperson for the Parliament of the Future on a temporary basis. Later he put himself forward as a candidate for full election.

“His dedication to supporting young professionals did not disappear after the end of his term, and alongside his main job, he continues to volunteer on various Börsenverein committees,” said Vogt. “As a mentor and mediator, he remains available to newcomers in the industry.”

The prize includes:

• an education voucher worth €1,000 for studying at Mediacampus Frankfurt;

• a one-year subscription to Börsenblatt Plus magazine;

• a professional ticket for one week to attend the Frankfurt Book Fair 2025, as well as two nights’ accommodation in a hotel during the event in Frankfurt;

• participation in the Parliament of the Future 2026 and the 2026/2027 mentoring program from Börsenverein des Deutschen Buchhandels;

• participation in the annual conference of IG Unabhängiges Sortiment or IG Unabhängige Verlage 2026 (depending on the professional field of the winner); and

• a ticket to the future!publish 2026 conference.

Presented by Börsenblatt magazine, the Young Excellence Award is a joint effort with Börsenvereinsgruppe partners such as the German Publishers and Booksellers Association, Frankfurt Book Fair, Mediacampus Frankfurt, and MVB. In 2025, it is supported by the future!publish conference.

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Copy editing: Joy Tataryn