ABA at BEA: An Overview of Next Week’s Programming

Don’t miss out on any of the American Booksellers Association’s programming at BookExpo America. Here’s an overview of education sessions, plenaries, author signings, special events, and bookseller-related BEA programs.

ABA’s events begin with a Welcome Party, sponsored by Random House at Hotel ABA, the Grand Hyatt New York, at 9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 28, and run through Saturday, June 1. The education program, developed in conjunction with BEA, is called “Bookselling Today & ABA Education.” Content is aimed toward ABA bookstore and provisional members but is free and open to all BEA attendees. The program kicks off at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 29, at the Javits Convention Center with a special plenary session interview of Macmillan CEO John Sargent by outgoing ABA President Becky Anderson.

For the first time, ABA’s Indie Bookseller Lounge will be on the trade show floor this year; look for us at the front of aisle 2900 in Room #2902. The lounge will still be the place for ABA member booksellers to rest, check e-mail, have a snack, learn about the latest from ABA and its affinity partners, and catch up with friends. This year, the lounge will also feature an expanded roster of authors autographing exclusively for ABA member booksellers.

Tuesday, May 28

1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: ABA’s Welcome Desk at the Grand Hyatt New York (Mezzanine)
ABA members staying at the hotel should check in at the ABA Welcome Desk and pick up their welcome bag (an exclusive for hotel guests).

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: Books of Wonder & SCBWI Open House (at Books of Wonder)
Books of Wonder and the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators invite all ABA member booksellers to an open house at Books of Wonder to relax and meet many of the children’s book authors and artists who will be attending BEA over the following days.

9:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.: BEA Welcome Party hosted by Random House Publishing Group (Grand Hyatt New York’s Gallery on Lex, Lobby Level)
Mingle with authors and join your colleagues in late-night cheer; open to all ABA Bookstore Members, whether or not they are staying at Hotel ABA.

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Wednesday, May 29

Take a BEA shuttle bus to the Javits Convention Center; here’s the schedule. At Javits, booksellers can pick up show badges at the BEA registration desk marked “VIP.”

9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.: ABA’s Indie Bookseller Lounge open (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: ABA Plenary: “Publishing, Bookselling, and the Whole Damn Thing: A Conversation With John Sargent” (1E14/1E15/1E16)
Begin BEA with a stimulating discussion between Macmillan CEO John Sargent and ABA President Becky Anderson about the book industry, the challenges it faces, recent key events, and what the future may hold.

11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: CIROBE Remainders and Sidelines Pavilions open
The CIROBE Remainders and Sidelines pavilions, which open one day earlier than the main show floor, will feature books, music, and non-book items.

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: How to Plan for a Second Location (1E02/1E03)
Join a panel of booksellers and other skilled professionals who will share their insights, experiences, and best practices on opening a second location.

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Evaluate Your Remainder Buying (1E07)
This is an advanced session that will cover remainder buying best practices, strategies, and keys to profitability. 

11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Edelweiss Update (1E08)
Edelweiss is implementing a new feature that will help booksellers keep track of drop-in titles. This session, developed by Edelweiss and presented by Joe Foster, Bookseller Liaison, Above The Treeline, will include time for booksellers and publishers to discuss best practices.

12:00 p.m.* – 4:30 p.m.: ABC/CBC Illustrator Studio Tours (off-site)
These small-group tours will give booksellers a behind-the-scenes peek into the creative lives of today’s top talent. Registration is closed for this event. *Participants will board buses to Grand Central Station at 11:15 a.m.

1:45 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: BEA Keynote: “Shaping the Future of the Book—Insight From Leaders Who Are Transforming How We Read” (1E14/1E15/1E16)
Attend a lively discussion on the future of books with publisher and bookseller panelists, moderated by John R. Ingram, CEO and Chairman of Ingram Content Group Inc. Panelists are incoming ABA President Steve Bercu of  BookPeople; Jane Friedman, CEO and co-founder of Open Road Integrated Media; Barbara Marcus, president and publisher of Random House Children’s Book; and Michael Pietsch, CEO of Hachette Book Group.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: ABA/Kobo eBook and eReader Introduction (1E08)
This session will cover all the basics about Kobo eBooks and eReaders and is aimed at stores interested in learning more before signing up for the ABA/Kobo program. Includes a question-and-answer period.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Being Social: Reaching Your Customers and Community (1E07)
Hear tips from experts on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and e-newsletters, and learn how to make social media work for you.

4:15 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: BEA Adult Editors Buzz (1E14/1E15/1E16)
Learn about the new, noteworthy adult titles that have been singled out for discussion and presentation by their editors. This panel will be moderated by Betsy Burton of The King’s English.

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.: ABFFE’s 19^th Annual Children’s Book Art Silent Auction (River Pavilion, Galleria Level, 4^th Floor)
Join the ABC Children’s Group and the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression (ABFFE) in supporting and protecting the free speech rights of young readers through this silent art auction. Tickets are $99 and available here. There is no charge for ABC Children’s Group members.

9:00 p.m. – 12:00 a.m.: Indie Presses Celebrate Indie Booksellers (Grand Hyatt New York’s Gallery on Lex, lobby level)
Indie publishers Beacon Press, Black Dog & Leventhal, Blue Apple Books, Lonely Planet, Milkweed Editions, Other Press, and Quirk Books celebrate independent booksellers. Open to all ABA Bookstore Members, whether or not they are staying at Hotel ABA.

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Thursday, May 30

7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.: ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge open (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)
The lounge closes at 3:00 today to allow ABA members and staff to attend the afternoon’s Town Hall and Annual Membership meetings.

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: BEA Adult Book & Author Breakfast (Special Events Hall)
Chelsea Handler, Ishmael Beah, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Wally Lamb. Tickets are required.

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Adult Book & Author Breakfast speakers autographing in the ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)
An exclusive for ABA member booksellers: Join Ishmael Beah and Wally Lamb in an exclusive signing for ABA members.

9:50 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups (1A16—1A20)
Booksellers will meet with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. Registration is closed.

10:00 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: BEA Young Adult Editors Buzz (1E14/1E15)
Learn about the new, noteworthy YA titles that have been singled out for discussion and presentation by their editors. This panel will be moderated by Suzanna Hermans of Oblong Books.

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups (1A16—1A20)
Booksellers will meet with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. Registration is closed.

12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.: Celebration of Bookselling and Author Awards Lunch (Special Events Hall)
Presenting the 2013 Indies Choice Book Awards and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Awards. A waitlist is forming for this event.

2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Celebration of Bookselling authors autographing in the ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)
An exclusive for ABA member booksellers: Join many of the authors from the Celebration for a signing in the Lounge. The lounge closes at 3:00 p.m. for the Town Hall and Annual Meeting.

3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: ABA Town Hall (Room 1E12/1E13)
The Town Hall provides booksellers with the opportunity to express their opinions and concerns and to share ideas with ABA Board members and staff in a less formal setting.

4:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: ABA Annual Membership Meeting (Room 1E12/1E13)
The meeting agenda includes the formal announcement of ABA’s election results, a state of the industry report from ABA CEO Oren Teicher, a review of ABA activities and finances, and the opportunity for members to bring old and/or new business to the attention of the Board of Directors. All ABA members are encouraged to attend.

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Friday, May 31

7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge open (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: BEA Children’s Book & Author Breakfast (Special Events Hall)
Octavia Spencer, Mary Pope Osborne, Rick Riordan, Veronica Roth. Tickets are required.

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

9:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: Common Core: Insights From Industry Touchpoints (1E11)
Learn how to present the resources that publishers and indie bookstores offer to schools and libraries to help them achieve the Common Core Standards.

9:30 a.m. – 10:50 a.m.: ReadingGroupGuides.com Book Group Speed-Dating (1E12/1E13)
Run by ReadingGroupGuides.com, the session is designed to give industry professionals and book group leaders a preview of fall and winter titles that will likely become book group favorites. Advance signup required.

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Children’s Book & Author Breakfast speakers autographing in the ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)
An exclusive for ABA member booksellers: Join Octavia Spencer, Mary Pope Osborne, and Veronica Roth in an exclusive signing for ABA members.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: IndieCommerce User’s Group (1E04)

11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.: BEA Middle Grade Editors Buzz (1E12/1E13) 
Learn about the new, noteworthy middle grade titles that have been singled out for discussion and presentation by their editors. This panel will be moderated by Valerie Lewis of Hicklebee’s.

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.: Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups (1A16—1A20)
Booksellers will meet with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. Registration is closed.

12:15 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.: ABC/CBC Speed Dating Lunch with Children’s Authors (1E14/15)
Enjoy a lively lunch with more than a dozen children’s book authors as they pitch their new projects. Registration is closed for this event.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Kobo 201: Best Practices (1E08) 
A discussion with bookseller users on “best practices” for featuring Kobo eReaders and selling eBooks, and getting customers to affiliate their Kobo account with your bookstore.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups (1A16—1A20)
Booksellers will meet with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. Registration is closed.

3:10 p.m. – 4:10 p.m.: Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups (1A16—1A20)
Booksellers will meet with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. Registration is closed.

3:15 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Meditation with Sharon Salzberg (ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge,  Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)
An exclusive for ABA member booksellers: Meet and meditate with the author of Real Happiness at Work (Workman).

3:30 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.: ABC/CBC Tea with Children’s Authors and Illustrators (1E12/1E13)
Sit down and share an intimate and relaxing teatime with a beloved author or illustrator. Registration is closed for this event.

4:45 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Debut Authors Meet-and-Greet in the ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)
An exclusive for ABA member booksellers: First-time authors whose titles are part of the Fall 2013 Debut Authors promotion will be signing in the Lounge. See the full list of authors here and get more information about the program here.

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Saturday, June 1

7:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge open (Room #2902 on the Main Show Floor)

8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: BEA Adult Book & Author Breakfast (Special Events Hall)
Chris Matthews, Helen Fielding, John Lewis, Diana Gabaldon. Tickets are required.

9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Exhibit hall open

9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.: Adult Book & Author Breakfast speakers autographing in ABA Indie Bookseller Lounge (Room #2902 on the Main Trade Show Floor)
An exclusive for ABA member booksellers: Join Chris Matthews and Diana Gabaldon in an exclusive signing for ABA members.

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.: Bookseller/Publisher Focus Groups (1A16—1A20)
Booksellers will meet with publishers to discuss issues of common interest and mutual concern. Registration is closed.

For more information on ABA happenings at BEA, visit ABA’s BookExpo America page. Visit BEA’s website for complete details on the trade show and BEA programming. You will also be able to watch BEA events streamed live next week via a link on the BookWeb homepage.