BookExpo America is the industry's premier trade show. Held annually, this is an invaluable opportunity to get a sneak peek inside the world of bookselling at the biggest national bookselling event of the year. Aside from the trade show floor (where publishers exhibit their fall titles), there are education and information sessions, author breakfasts and lunches, special events, many opportunities to network with booksellers and publishers, and much more.

The American Booksellers Association is a proud sponsor of BookExpo America. ABA sold the show in 1992 to Reed Exhibitions who manage and operate the show. ABA’s Town Hall and Annual Membership Meetings are held in conjunction with BEA, and ABA members are encouraged to attend not only the trade show, but also the myriad special events sponsored by the association and its partners throughout the week of BEA.

The industry will once again gather at BEA 2010—the premier North American publishing event—to see and learn what’s new and what’s next in the world of publishing and to celebrate our passion for books. BEA will showcase 500+ authors and hundreds of new titles on a Show floor filled with 1,500 exhibitors, the Downtown Stage, Uptown Stage and all-new Midtown Stage, and the ever popular BEA Autographing Area. The "Big Ideas at BEA" Conference and this year’s Global Market Forum will illuminate the latest trend information. And the buzz of the book business will be at an all-time high during dynamic Special Events. All of this plus, the largest North American International Rights and Business Center, and all of New York City—the book capital of the world.

BEA's Hotel ABA

The Park Central Hotel in Manhattan was secured by BEA exclusively for ABA bookseller members. It is located right above the 57th Street subway stop, at 870 Seventh Avenue, and provides easy access to the Javits Convention Center via taxi, bus, or subway.

The special low rate for ABA bookseller members ($179 for 1 or 2 beds single or double occupancy; $199 for triple occupancy; and $219 for a quad) ended on Monday, May 10. Questions about reservations should be directed to:

Travel Planners at 866-940-0944 or 212-532-1660. Reservation specialists are available Monday thru Friday, 9:00am - 7:00pm ET.

Other hotel options are available via the  BEA website.

All ABA Regular Bookstore and Provisional members are eligible for free admission to BookExpo America 2010. The number of free badges will be based on the ABA members' dues category. (A dues category one store will receive one free badge; a category two store, two badges, etc.) An additional BEA badge is available for each staff member who attended the 2010 Winter Institute in San Jose. 

All ABA members planning to attend the 2010 show, at New York's Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, must register via the BEA website.  ABA has provided BEA with information about the number of free badges for which members are eligible. (Sales volume information has been kept confidential.)

A six-digit ABA Member ID number must be supplied at the time of registration to qualify for the free badges. (If you don't know your Member ID, send an e-mail with your store name, address, and key contact to info@bookweb.org.)

This year's new mid-week show schedule starts on Tuesday, May 25, with ABA’s Day of Education, BEA conferences, and special events. The trade show floor will be open on Wednesday, May 26, and Thursday, May 27.

Attendees can purchase tickets for BEA's Wednesday Children's Book and Author Breakfast, Thursday Adult Book and Author Breakfast or Lunch, and other special events via bookexpoamerica.com.

ABA's eighth annual Day of Education, sponsored by Ingram, will be on Tuesday, May 25, at BookExpo America. Fifteen education sessions, roundtable discussions, and workshops will cover an array of topics, including the results of a brand-new survey of book-buying behavior, the latest on e-books, and a fresh look at alternative business models. The program also features two sessions for children's booksellers developed by the Association of Booksellers for Children. Learn more.

Gift Card Users Group Meetings
Booksellers who still have questions about what's happening with ABA gift cards are invited to this users group meeting to have their questions answered. (Wednesday, 11:00 a.m. - noon in Room 1E11)

IndieCommerce Users Group Meeting
If you are currently using the new IndieCommerce system and have questions, this meeting is for you. (Wednesday, 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. in Room 1E09)

ABA Town Hall Meeting
The Town Hall Meeting is the place for members to bring industry concerns to the attention of the ABA Board and staff and to participate in member-wide discussions. (Wednesday, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. in Room 1E10)

ABA Annual Membership Meeting
For ABA members only, the Annual Meeting includes reports by ABA's president and CEO on the year’s activities, voting on new initiatives, and a discussion of future plans. (Wednesday, 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. in Room 1E10)

ABFFE Presents:  Free Speech for Corporations?
The American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) will host this session exploring the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to strike down limits on the money corporations can spend in political campaigns.  Come listen to a lively exchange between advocates on both sides of the debate.  Panelists include Robert Weissman, president, Public Citizen, and Ira Glasser, former executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union. (Thursday, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. in Room 1E12)

Once again the ABA members-only lounge, Room 1E07/08 of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, will be available for booksellers to learn about ABA products and services, check e-mail, have books autographed by some of their favorite authors, recharge their laptops, have a snack, or relax in a comfy chair.  The lounge hours are:

• Tuesday, May 25: 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, May 26: 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. (Lounge closes at 3:00 p.m. for the ABA Town Hall and Annual Meeting)
• Thursday, May 27: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m..

To provide an opportunity for as many members as possible to speak during Wednesday's ABA Town Hall Meeting, a sign-up sheet will be prominently displayed in the ABA Lounge at the convention center beginning Tuesday morning, May 25. Booksellers will be called upon in the order in which they sign up.

As an added benefit to ABA members, a free bag check will be available in room 1E06 from 7:45 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 26 and Thursday, May 27.

ABA is sponsoring a free, one-day "Introduction to Retail Bookselling" Seminar, on Monday, May 24, at New York's Javits Convention Center, just prior to the Day of Education and BookExpo America. The seminar, facilitated by the Bookstore Training Group of Paz & Associates, is open to ABA provisional members and employees of regular member stores who want to explore the possibility of opening their own stores.

The Celebration of Bookselling Luncheon, sponsored by Baker & Taylor, is booked to capacity. ABA member booksellers can now add their names to a waiting list.

This year's event will be held on Wednesday, May 26, from noon - 1:30 p.m. in the Javits Convention Center Special Events Hall. 

2011: Tuesday, May 24 -Thursday, May 26, New York, NY
2012: Wednesday, May 30 - Friday, June 1, New York, NY