Winter Institute 2020

Bookshop CEO Andy Hunter will present Bookshop.org, an online bookstore that financially supports independent bookstores and explain how they hope to work with indies. Bookshop targets book buyers that would otherwise go to the major online retailer, and gives socially conscious book buyers an alternative that supports their values. This session will contain a brief demo of the platform and discussion of how indie bookstores can participate in the profit-sharing and use the platform to sell books and earn revenue. Panelists: Andy Hunter, Bookshop

Being an independent bookstore in today’s retail environment means working tirelessly to stay connected and relevant to your customers in the store and online, while simultaneously participating in your greater community by advocating for independent retail as a key to downtown economic stability. It’s a big job! And all independent retailers, not just booksellers, are meeting this challenge in various ways. Come to this session to hear from Baltimore’s diverse and unique independent retailer stars, ask questions, and discover ideas to apply to your bookstore. Panelists: Dan Cullen, ABA (White Plains, NY), Tom Mansfield, Charm City Run (Baltimore, MD), Claudia Towles, aMuse Toys (Baltimore, MD), Mark Wasson, A Few Cool Hardware Stores (Washington, D.C./Baltimore, MD/Alexandria, VA), Dan Cullen, ABA (White Plains, NY)

Thanks to the generosity of ABA’s publisher sponsors, dozens of authors and illustrators will be on hand to chat with booksellers and autograph new and forthcoming titles at the Author Reception. Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

The Town Hall is an opportunity for open discussion about industry and association issues. ABA Board Jamie Fiocco (Flyleaf Books, Chapel Hill, NC) and Vice President Bradley Graham (Politics and Prose Bookstore in Washington, D.C.) will facilitate the meeting. The full ABA Board will respond to questions and comments from all booksellers; booksellers who would like to send questions in advance can e-mail [email protected].

Developed for author guests at Winter Institute, this lunch panel features booksellers who have formulated best practices for creating events that benefits both store and author. This session will cover a number of issues, from author publicity to dealing with pre-event nerves. Panelists: Nina Barrett, Bookends & Beginnings (Evanston, IL), Linda Kass, Gramercy Books (Bexley, OH), Susan Hans O'Connor, Penguin Bookshop (Sewickley, PA), Joan Trygg, Red Balloon Bookshop (St. Paul, MN), Alex George, Skylark Bookshop (Columbia, MO)

International guests are invited to lunch with their colleagues and participate in an informal discussion about bookselling developments and trends from around the world. Take a break, relax, and enjoy an informal discussion with other international bookselling colleagues.

Enjoy lunch with publisher sales reps and learn about great upcoming titles from the Winter Institute’s publisher sponsors. Seats are assigned; table numbers are printed on bookseller badges.

The children’s department is typically one of the most profitable departments in any bookstore, but it can be a daunting place for general booksellers if they are not familiar with the material. In this session, seasoned children’s booksellers will lead a workshop for general booksellers on handselling children’s books with confidence to customers of all ages. Panelists: Cathy Berner, Blue Willow Bookshop (Houston TX), Mariana Calderon, Second Star to the Right (Denver, CO), Susan Kusel, [words] (Mapelwood, NJ), Ariana Paliobagis, Country Bookshelf (Bozeman , MT)

Enjoy breakfast while hearing about great upcoming titles from more of Winter Institute’s publisher sponsors. Seating is unassigned for this breakfast.

Pick up your badge, the official Wi15 welcome bag from W.G. Ellerkamp, and a full schedule of Institute events from ABA’s membership team.

Pick up your badge, the official Wi15 welcome bag from W.G. Ellerkamp, and a full schedule of Institute events from ABA’s membership team.

IndieCommerce and IndieLite are ABA’s online platforms for marketing events and author appearances as well as selling books and other merchandise. Both users and non-users of IndieCommerce and IndieLite are invited to schedule one-on-one time with a program specialist from the IndieCommerce team. Space is limited, but walk-ins are welcome. Registration will open in December. Attendees may schedule their appointment by completing the form here.

Enjoy lunch and meet an additional lineup of authors and illustrators from Winter Institute’s sponsors, who will be on hand to chat with booksellers and autograph their new and forthcoming titles.

This meeting space will be open and available to booksellers throughout the course of the event. The agenda is yours! Enjoy a space set aside for one-on-one discussions or larger group conversations. A number of flip-charts will be available for use.

This meeting space will be open and available to booksellers throughout the course of the event. The agenda is yours! Enjoy a space set aside for one-on-one discussions or larger group conversations. A number of flip-charts will be available for use.