ABA Extends an Invitation to Non-Member Booksellers

Booksellers who are not currently members of the American Booksellers Association are invited to attend a special reception at any one of the nine fall regional shows. ABA is sponsoring the receptions to provide non-member booksellers with an opportunity to mingle with staff and representatives of the ABA Board to learn more about what the association has to offer. Each will be an informal gathering, offering food, drink, and socializing, according to ABA Director of Membership Marketing Meg Smith. "Non-members can ask questions about ABA and its benefits, or simply enjoy the event," she added.

Booksellers who are interested in attending a reception (listed below) should send an e-mail including their name, the store name and address, and regional affiliation to ABA's Membership Marketing Coordinator Sarah Rettger at [email protected].

Great Lakes Booksellers Association: A cocktail reception from 5:45 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 28. Location TBD.

Midwest Booksellers Association: A lunch reception from 11:45 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. on Sunday, October 7. Location TBD.

Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association: A cocktail reception from 5:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 27. Location TBD.

New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association: A lunch reception from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Monday, October 15, in the Hopkins Room of the Sheraton Baltimore City Center.

New England Independent Booksellers Association: A lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 29, in Room 550B of the Rhode Island Convention Center.

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association: A lunch reception from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 6, at the City Center Grill at the Oakland Convention Center and City Center Marriott.

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association: A lunch reception from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 20, in Room 407 of the Meydenbauer Center.

Southern California Independent Booksellers Association: Snacks from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 20. Location TBD.

Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance: A coffee reception from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 29. Location TBD.

For booksellers who haven't been members of ABA in the preceding two years and who join as new bookstore members at the reception, at the ABA booth on the trade show floor, or online at BookWeb.org (use promo code JRGNL), ABA will pay one year of their regional association dues. For more information, contact Rettger at (800)637-0037, ext. 6645, or [email protected].