Save the Date: ABA to Host Two IndieCommerce Institutes This Fall

The American Booksellers Association will be offering two IndieCommerce Institutes this fall, both in conjunction with regional trade shows: the first will be on September 18 and 19, just prior to the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance Fall Show in New Orleans; the second, on October 1 and 2, before the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association Trade Show in San Francisco. Institute programming will be geared to booksellers with active IndieCommerce websites and is not meant as an introduction to the e-commerce platform.

Below is a look at preliminary details for each institute. Watch for updates in upcoming issues and in communications from IndieCommerce customer service.

New Orleans: September 18 – 19, at the Sheraton New Orleans (the same venue as the SIBA show)

• September 18: One-on-one session opportunities beginning at noon; followed by an evening welcome reception.
• September 19: The IndieCommerce Institute itself, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

San Francisco: October 1 – 2, at a location (to be determined) near the South San Francisco Convention Center, the site of the NCIBA show

• October 1: One-on-one session opportunities beginning at 10:00 a.m.; followed by an evening welcome reception.
• October 2: The IndieCommerce Institute itself, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Each institute may have some content tailored to the needs and interests of those attending; however, both will include:

• An evening welcome reception
• One-on-one meeting opportunities the day before the institute
• Two tracks, one appropriate for most users; the other, a seminar-like session for deeper skill levels
•  A moderated discussion among select booksellers on best practices for in-house support for IndieCommerce sites
• A moderated discussion among select booksellers on best practices for promoting a store’s e-commerce site

IndieCommerce registrants that are not members of SIBA or NCIBA are welcome to attend the regional’s regular trade show programming at no extra cost.

Registration will open at the end of June with “early bird” registration specials: $99 for core session attendees; $130 for seminar attendees. Beginning August 1, rates will increase to $120 for core session attendees; $150 for seminar attendees.

Questions about the IndieCommerce Institutes should be addressed to Member Technology Director Neil Strandberg.