[3] [3] [3]The American Booksellers Association is encouraging booksellers who wish to participate in the Fifth Winter Institute [3] (Wi5) to register [4] as soon as possible.

The members-only education event (from Wednesday through Friday, February 3 - 5, 2010, in San Jose, California) is approaching its limit of 500 participants, and the remaining spaces are being filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

This year's program [5] includes 30-plus education sessions on everything from handselling in the digital age and buying non-book items to alternative business models and understanding the Gen Z reader. The Institute will also feature myriad special events, including a stellar author reception, a rep picks "speed dating" lunch, a free galley room, and bookseller-publisher cafes.

The Winter Institute is open to all ABA regular and provisional members. There is a $50 nonrefundable meal fee this year to help offset some of the event's food costs. (Wi5 includes two breakfasts and three lunches, and host receptions each night.) A single-day pass for Wi5, with a meal fee of $25, is also available. (Booksellers will need to identify the day they are planning to attend when registering [4]).

ABA has reserved a block of rooms at Wi5's host hotel, the Doubletree San Jose, for Tuesday, February 2, through Saturday, February 6, at a special room rate of $115/night. ABA bookseller and provisional members and participating publisher sponsors can reserve rooms at the special rate until Friday, January 8, or until the group block is sold out, whichever comes first. This year's hotel cancellation policy is different from previous years: To avoid being charged one night's room rate plus tax, cancellations must be made prior to Friday, January 8. Any cancellations after that date will be subject to a charge for one night plus tax. Registration is via the Doubletree's dedicated Wi5 registration page [6]. Questions regarding Wi5 hotel reservations should be addressed directly to the hotel at (408) 453-4000.

Full Wi5 program details, including session descriptions, are available on BookWeb's Wi5 Event pages [7]. Questions about the education program and event registration may be addressed to [email protected] [8].