Fall Trade Shows and Education

Each autumn the regional bookseller associations hold their annual trade shows. ABA exhibits at each show, and typically presents one or more educational sessions that are open to all attendees. Booksellers register for the trade show directly with the regional association.

For 2018 ABA will offer a new education session, "Maximizing Pre-Order Campaigns." The session description follows. In addition, ABA will present "The Principals of Bookstore Finance Seminar" twice in fall 2018. The financial seminar is a 101 level workshop for ABA member booksellers looking to understand financial operations of the bookstore and requires separate registration and is led by ABA Chief Financial Officer Robyn DesHotel. Registration links are below.
 

Maximizing Pre-Order Campaigns

Pre-orders are becoming an increasingly important way in which books are sold and marketed in 2018, and indie bookstores can and should take part in this growing business. Heavily influenced by television and social media, the months before a title’s publication are critical, and pre-orders are a growing component of a book’s ultimate sales. By working with publishers to take full advantage of pre-order opportunities, indie bookstores can avoid lost sales, lost PR, and lost market share.

 

In this session, ABA will discuss ways that stores can successfully promote and sell pre-orders to become an integral partner to publishers and authors. Learn about new methods developed and tested by a task force of indie stores--including processes and protocols for stores using various POS systems--that all stores can use to maximize pre-orders through marketing, tracking, and reporting. The session will include bookseller participation from the pre-order task force.

2018 Fall Regional Trade Shows