News - Regional

The American Booksellers Association is inviting bookstore owners and staff in the Midwest to a Booksellers Forum on Saturday, March 11, at the Clarion Hotel in Bloomington, Minnesota. The event, which features an education component, is being held in conjunction with the Midwest Booksellers Association (MBA) Spring Meeting. All members of MBA and ABA are welcome to participate in the free program.

Hurricane recovery is progressing slowly in New Orleans and southeastern Louisiana, and members of local arts and literary communities are facing tremendous challenges. In addition to coping with personal loss, they are faced with unprecedented cuts to public arts programs, private support jeopardized by a struggling economy, and the absence of vital community members who are scattered throughout the country.

On Saturday, February 25, in Los Angeles, the Southern California Booksellers Association (SCBA) will hold its third Independent Bookstore Tour. This year, the "I Feel the Need to Read" tour will celebrate the role of independent booksellers in Southern California and in communities nationwide. SCBA is inviting readers to visit "some of the country's most knowledgeable and inspiring bookstores to meet authors and fellow book lovers."

The American Booksellers Association's 2006 Booksellers Forum Tour continues with a forum and educational programming held in conjunction with the Third Annual Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association (MPBA) Spring Meeting, to be held from February 23 to 25, at the Marriott Denver Tech Center. All members of MPBA and ABA -- owners and staff -- are welcome to participate in the free program.

The American Booksellers Association is inviting bookstore owners and staff in the Pacific Northwest to a Booksellers Forum on Saturday, February 25, at the McMenamins Kennedy School, in Portland, Oregon. The event, which features an education component, is being held in conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA). All members of PNBA and ABA are welcome to participate in the free program.

The Southeast Booksellers Association (SEBA) has officially changed its name to the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA). SIBA, which made the announcement on January 23, stated that the change "reflects an increased commitment towards activism and advocacy for the independent bookstores in the South."

The American Booksellers Association's 2006 Forum Tour begins on Monday, February 13, at the Fountain Bookstore in Richmond, Virginia. The event, which features an education component, is being held in conjunction with the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA), formerly the Southeast Booksellers Association, Bookseller Revival. All members of SIBA and ABA are welcome to participate in the free program.

In mid-December, the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA), the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), and Book Sense teamed up for a promotion that encouraged BART riders to visit their local independent bookstores. On Tuesday, December 13, fifty thousand fliers featuring an area-specific Book Sense Picks list, as well as a coupon worth $10 off the purchase of any one of the titles at participating stores, were distributed at six BART stations.

BEA Taps Bilheimer to Oversee Special Events

On January 9, BookExpo America (BEA) named Roger Bilheimer to oversee special events at the annual trade show. Bilheimer is an independent consultant and has handled media and publishing industry relations for BEA for nine years. In addition to his new duties, Bilheimer will continue to oversee publicity and public relations for the show, as well as manage the press office on site.

The American Booksellers Association has announced a schedule of 13 Booksellers Forums over the course of three months, beginning in mid-February. Each will bring ABA staff and representatives of its Board of Directors together with membership across the country.

Enzi Introduces Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act

On Tuesday, December 20, Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY) introduced in the Senate the Sales Tax Fairness and Simplification Act (S. 2152), legislation that seeks to "level the playing field for all in-store, catalog, and online retailers so each has the same sales tax responsibilities [and to] help states collect more revenue from the sales."

The Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA), the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART), and Book Sense have teamed up to create a new promotion to encourage BART riders to visit their local independent bookstores. On Tuesday, December 13, fifty thousand fliers -- which feature an area-specific Book Sense Picks List, along with a coupon for $10 off the Picks titles at participating stores -- will be distributed at six BART stations.