ABA Heads to SCIBA Trade Show

Printer-friendly versionPrinter-friendly version

Tree with book-shaped leaves and "Fall 2019 Regional Trade Shows" text

The fall regional trade show season continues this week with the Southern California Independent Booksellers Association show beginning on Friday, September 27, where booksellers can stop by the American Booksellers Association booth to say hello to ABA CEO Oren Teicher, Senior Strategy Officer Dan Cullen, IndieCommerce Specialist Chanthee Keokhaw, and Senior Membership Manager Daniel O’Brien.

At each of this year’s shows, ABA will present the new education session “Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success,” focusing on how indie bookstores can make the most of the national celebration of independent bookselling that this year featured 575 participating stores, many of which reported increased sales and foot traffic plus a boost in brand awareness. 

Because of the national growth of the program, ABA has agreed to take on the management of IBD for 2020. During the session, a panel of booksellers will offer information on how to order and make the most of the exclusive merchandise created for IBD, how to organize and publicize their store’s party, and strategies for using social media to increase sales and community participation. The session is open to both members and non-members of ABA.

In addition, ABA is leading a session at the shows on “Making the Most of ABA Membership,” during which new ABA members, booksellers at newly opened stores, and anyone else interested can join ABA’s member relationship managers to talk about the programs and resources the association provides to strengthen independent booksellers’ businesses.

ABA members also have a chance to win a scholarship to Winter Institute 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. Just leave a business card at the ABA booth, and one winner will be selected at random from all the cards received during the fall shows.

Non-ABA members can test drive an ABA membership for free until January 31, 2020, by attending one of the fall regional trade shows and collecting the promotion code to be used during the membership registration process.

The 2019 fall regional trade show schedule continues as follows:

Southern California Independent Booksellers Association (SCIBA)
Friday, September 27 – Saturday, September 28
Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel, 303 E Valley Blvd., San Gabriel, California
“Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success”: Friday, September 27, at 12:00 p.m.
“Making the Most of ABA Membership”: Friday, September 27, at 10:30 a.m.

New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA)
Wednesday, October 2 – Friday, October 4
Rhode Island Convention Center Ballroom, 1 Sabin St., Providence, Rhode Island
“Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success”: Friday, October 4, at 10:15 a.m.
“Making the Most of ABA Membership”: Wednesday, October 2, at 9:00 a.m.

Heartland Fall Forum (Midwest Independent Booksellers Association/MIBA and Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association/GLIBA)
Wednesday, October 2 – Friday, October 4
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio
“Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success”: Thursday, October 3, time TBD
“Making the Most of ABA Membership”: Date and time to come

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA)
Sunday, October 6 – Tuesday, October 8
Red Lion on the River – Jantzen Beach, 909 N. Hayden Island Dr., Portland, Oregon
“Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success”: Sunday, October 6, at 10:30 a.m.
“Making the Most of ABA Membership”: Brief overview at start of first-timers session on Sunday, October 6, at 8:00 a.m.

Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association (MPIBA)
Thursday, October 10 – Saturday, October 12
Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver, Colorado
“Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success”: Saturday, October 12, at 9:45 a.m.
“Making the Most of ABA Membership”: Wednesday, October 9, at 5:00 p.m.

New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA)
Tuesday, October 15 – Thursday, October 17
Crowne Plaza, 2349 Marlton Pike W., Cherry Hill, New Jersey
“Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success”: Thursday, October 17, at 9:30 a.m.
“Making the Most of ABA Membership”: Thursday, October 17, at 9:30 a.m. (roundtables)