Registration Nearing Capacity for 2019 Children’s Institute

Bookseller registration for the seventh annual Children’s Institute (Ci7) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is almost at capacity.

This year’s Children’s Institute event will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh-Green Tree from June 26-28, 2019. According to ABC Children’s Group Manager Gen de Botton, there are fewer than 20 open spots left for the Institute. Once the event becomes full, there will be a waitlist and booksellers will be admitted on a rolling basis if there are cancellations. Register here for Children’s Institute, and see the entire Ci7 progam here.

As for special programming during the Institute, the Events University also has fewer than 20 open spots left, and it is not required to be registered for Children’s Institute to attend. The full-day, two-part workshop will be led by experts in bookstore event management who will teach attendees best practices for putting on in-store and off-site events. Lunch will be provided; post-lunch, the session will cover how to start a book festival. The session will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, in the DoubleTree’s Dusquesne room. Pre-registration required, and there is a $45 fee per person. Register here for the Events University.

In addition, the Institute Quidditch Match, where attendees will be coached by members of the Steel City Quidditch Club and compete to win the Ci7 Quidditch Cup, still requires 15 more players in order to take place. Both booksellers and publishers are welcome to sign up. The match will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, in the Hotel’s Sports Dome. Brooms will be provided; preregistration is required. Register here for the Institute Quidditch Match.

The ABC Children’s Group is also seeking bookseller attendees who are interested in volunteering as panelists for education sessions. Booksellers should e-mail de Botton if they are an expert, have insight, or are passionate about any of the following three session topics: “Operations & Finances: Point of Sale Categories and Subcategories for Inventory Maintenance and Control;” “Advanced Bookselling & Special Topics: Small Footprint-Big Impact"; and “Programming & Partnerships: Customer Loyalty Programs.