Winter Institute

Panelists discussed best practices for networking with publishers at industry events, what publishers look for in an event proposal, how to pitch events in person, and how to keep these relationships moving forward.

The education session at Winter Institute focused on tips for identifying and navigating distressing situations or instances of harassment in the context of the bookstore.

Panelists discussed programs that elevate the voices of female/female-identifying authors as well as efforts that feature women business owners and women-run businesses.

Denise Chávez, owner of Casa Camino Real Book Store and Art Gallery, has been distributing books to refugees in her hometown of Las Cruces; more than 2,500 books were collected through the book drive. 

The recent panel featured Michael Becher of Industry Insights, the company that assists ABA in compiling the ABACUS report; Brian O’Leary of the Book Industry Study Group; and Allison Risbridger of NPD Group. 

The American Booksellers Association’s Board of Directors met on January 20–21, 2019, in Albuquerque, New Mexico, just prior to the 14th Winter Institute.

Booksellers who attended Winter Institute 14 are encouraged to fill out the post-event survey, which arrived in inboxes on Wednesday, February 6, and sign into the Winter Institute app to complete session evaluations.

The session at Winter Institute 14 examined why author James Baldwin’s work has, does, and will always matter and explored how to grow his audience through independent bookstores.

Bookselling This Week has compiled all previous coverage of Winter Institute 14, as well as this week’s articles recapping the event.

Bookseller panelists discussed best practices for improving landlord relationships, tips for turning a landlord into an advocate for local small businesses, and strategies for lease negotiations.