Fall Regional Trade Shows to Kick Off September 13

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Tree with book-shaped leaves and "Fall 2019 Regional Trade Shows" textThe fall regional trade show season kicks off September 13, and numerous staff from the American Booksellers Association will be heading to cities across the country to meet with indie booksellers.

This year, ABA will present the new education session “Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success,” focusing on how indie bookstores can take part in the growing annual event. Booksellers will learn how they can make the most of Independent Bookstore Day (IBD), 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 roundtable 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 Senior Membership Manager Daniel O’Brien to talk about the programs and resources the association provides to strengthen independent booksellers’ businesses.
 
Finally, booksellers attending the trade shows can register to meet one-on-one with members of the IndieCommerce staff; book an appointment here. IndieCommerce is currently offering three e-commerce promotions:
  • Enter to win one free year of IndieCommerce (total value of $1,425) by submitting an IndieCommerce contract between September 1 and October 31.
  • Receive three free months of IndieLite service for former My Books and More (Baker & Taylor) stores; get your first three months free, then pay $25 per month for the remaining nine months of the year (total value of $600).
  • Sign up for IndieLite between September 1 and October 31 and pay half price for the entire year, just $25 per month.

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 is as follows:

Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA)
Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15
Spartanburg Marriott, 299 N. Church St., Spartanburg, South Carolina
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Friday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m.

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA)
Friday, September 20 – Saturday, September 21
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, 1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Friday, September 20, at 9:45 a.m.

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.

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, time TBD

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

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.

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.

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.

Categories: 
Events
Fall trade shows
Education
Independent Bookstore Day