Booksellers who participated in last month’s Winter Institute are being asked to provide honest feedback to help the American Booksellers Association continue to develop and improve the annual event.

Any bookseller currently in business will tell you that retail bookselling requires knowledge specific to the book industry as well as the necessary skills to run a successful small business. Two pitfalls that prospective booksellers should avoid is lack of training and inadequate funding.

Booksellers at Wi7 were divided into 22 working groups, each formulating plans for the future of a case study bookstore. The results of their work were synthesized by ABA staff and presented by Dan Sheehan, vice president of sales and general manager of the Ingram Content Group.

From the opening plenary to the closing working group activity, booksellers were energized by Winter Institute 7’s many opportunities to learn and network. Publishers, too, found inspiration, knowledge, and invaluable connections.

Representatives of Google will take part in next month’s Winter Institute at two sessions on Google Analytics and at the Ask ABA Table at the Consultation Station, all on Thursday, January 19.

Winter Institute 7 is now fully booked. However, a waiting list is forming, and, if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please fill out the waiting list form.

Registration is now open for ABA’s Seventh Annual Winter Institute. Wi7, sponsored by the Ingram Content Group, will be held from Wednesday, January 18, through Friday, January 20, 2012, at the Astor Crowne Plaza in New Orleans’ French Quarter.

Next month’s NEIBA, PNBA, and GLIBA trade shows will provide booksellers with a full range of educational programming, author events, and networking opportunities. Here’s a look at some of the regional highlights and ABA programming at the shows.

ABA will open registration for the Seventh Annual Winter Institute, sponsored by the Ingram Content Group, on Thursday afternoon, September 15. Wi7 will be held from Wednesday, January 18, through Friday, January 20, 2012, in New Orleans.

Booksellers who attended ABA’s inaugural IndieCommerce Institute have provided feedback that is instrumental in gauging the event’s success, as well as in shaping future plans.