The American Booksellers Association begins its series of 2003 Booksellers Forums this month, with two forums in California.

The first, held in conjunction with the Southern California Booksellers Association (SCBA), will take place on Tuesday, January 14, in Santa Monica at the DoubleTree Guest Suites. The second forum, held in conjunction with the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA), will take place on Wednesday, January 15, in San Francisco at NCIBA's offices at the The Presidio. (For all scheduling details, click here [6].)

In addition, both these forums will be preceded by sneak previews of the brand-new 2003 ABACUS data for all stores that have already submitted their information -- or that will be providing information at the preview. Last year, ABA reintroduced the ABACUS industry study, a proven financial research tool for independent booksellers that offers a wide range of bookselling-specific financial breakdowns and analyses. The new ABACUS has been highly praised by booksellers for its flexibility and ease of use. (See http://news.bookweb.org/read/918 [7] for related story.)

The ABA Bookseller Forums are designed to provide ABA member booksellers with an opportunity to meet and to talk with ABA Board members and senior staff. Participants will have the chance to express their opinions -- as well as to provide input as the association develops new priorities and directions. Over the years, these forums have provided very constructive input from members and have been indispensable in shaping future programs and initiatives of the association.

Attending the Santa Monica and San Francisco forums will be ABA Board President Ann Christophersen as well as other representatives of the Board of Directors along with ABA's CEO Avin Mark Domnitz and COO Oren Teicher.

At the ABACUS previews stores that have already -- or will -- be providing their information for ABACUS will have the ability to view their store’s performance compared to various segments of the independent sector. These sessions are only open to those booksellers who have already submitted their numbers to the ABACUS survey or to those stores that bring their information with them as a ticket of admission. The form to provide bookstore data is located on BookWeb.org at http://www.bookweb.org/read/5786 [8]. Remember that bookstore data will be held in the strictest of confidence and will ultimately provide booksellers with a wealth of information about comparative bookstore operations.

To RSVP for the forums, contact Kristen Gilligan at ABA via e-mail at [email protected] [9] or by phone at (800) 637-0037, ext. 1286, by Monday, January 13.

Santa Monica Booksellers Forum:

Tuesday, January 14
DoubleTree Guest Suites
1707 Fourth Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
Tel: (310) 395-3332

ABACUS Sneak Preview (ABACUS participants only) -- 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Booksellers Forum -- 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. (Refreshments will be provided.)

San Francisco Booksellers Forum:

Wednesday, January 15
The Presidio (NCIBA Office)
37 Graham Street, Suite 210
San Francisco, CA 94129
Tel: (415) 561-7686

ABACUS Sneak Preview (ABACUS participants only) -- 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Buffet Lunch (courtesy of NCIBA and ABA -- all invited) -- 12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Booksellers Forum -- 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.