Winter Institute 2018

This session will focus on ways booksellers can give back to both their literary and local communities by participating on boards of literary associations, serving as judges for book awards, volunteering with the chamber of commerce, or even running for city and/or local government positions, all while still being active in the day-to-day life of the bookstore.

Running a business with your life partner can be very rewarding — and can also present special challenges. This roundtable conversation will provide a place for partners to discuss these unique issues and to hear how others navigate potential areas of conflict to ensure both a happy home and a prosperous store.

The recent resurgence of interest in travel books is one more reason to take a closer look at the marketing of certain genres. Bookseller and publisher panelists will cover creative marketing, merchandising, events, and handselling to help put your store on the map for customers seeking books on travel, religion, and cooking.

This 101-level seminar covers the fundamentals of budgeting, understanding cash flow, business financing, bookkeeping, and financial statements. The workshop includes a segment focusing on strategies for achieving higher profits and improving cash flow. The program concludes with an interactive group discussion, working through an example of how booksellers can use their store’s financial information to make sound business decisions. The seminar concentrates on bookstore finances as opposed to bookstore accounting, and though it is helpful for attendees to be familiar with basic bookstore finances, deep financial experience is not required.

Successful social media marketing requires more than just posting and sharing content. Retailers that understand the power of engagement and customer relationships can generate name recognition, sales, on-site visitors, and more. Learn how to develop a more informed, organized, goal-oriented approach to your social media that will help you achieve your digital marketing goals. Identify how social media marketing can target the right audiences and grow your bottom line. This class will benefit any bookseller that has clearly defined digital marketing goals, currently manages one or more social media accounts, and is actively marketing on social media on a daily or weekly basis.

ABACUS is a yearly benchmarking survey that gathers key information and insights on bookstore financials. Stores that participate in ABACUS know how important this unique and actionable data is to their store’s long-term viability. Industry Insights, the organization that compiles and analyzes the confidential bookstore data, will offer a tutorial on the new ABACUS web portal, review key survey trends and results, and demonstrate how to generate reports to best utilize a store’s data. In addition, booksellers who regularly submit to ABACUS will explain how they have been able to implement changes based on their ABACUS report.

The historic Cadre is the location for ABA’s 2018 Winter Institute Welcome Reception, co-sponsored by Shelf Awareness. Enjoy cocktails, snacks, and the company of your colleagues from around the world. The Cadre is located at 149 Monroe Avenue in Memphis. Shuttle buses will run between the Sheraton Memphis Downtown Hotel and the Cadre every 15 to 20 minutes between 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

It’s no secret that nonbook and gift items are effective ways to increase children’s sales and buffer margins. But how do you best merchandise nonbook in a smaller children’s bookstore or section? Experienced bookseller merchandisers will teach attendees how to maximize selling space without minimizing prime book display real estate. Learn what works, what to avoid, and how to incorporate nonbook items into limited space.

The always-popular Galley Room is filled with ARCs of upcoming titles from Wi13 sponsors. A limited supply of book bags will be on hand. The room will be closed during the morning keynote sessions and the Rep Picks lunches.

In this detailed financial session, two booksellers will walk publishers through the ABACUS-16 Financial Benchmarking Report and discuss the financial realities of owning and operating a general bookstore in a storefront retail space.

Booksellers gather with colleagues to discuss one opportunity and one challenge for their businesses in the next year. Discussions are led by ABA Board members. Group and room assignments are printed on attendee badges.

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 a one-on-one time with a program specialist from the IndieCommerce team. Space is limited, but walk-ins are welcome. Hours are offered Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday. Details and signup are here.

The Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance is pleased to host the Hospitality Suite at this year’s Winter Institute. Stop by for a chance to decompress, grab a beverage, and refuel before heading back out to join your peers. Open to booksellers from all regions.

Sarah Jessica Parker is an American actress, producer, and designer. She recently launched SJP for Hogarth in partnership with Molly Stern, publisher of Crown and Hogarth. In this new role, Parker acquires and curates works of fiction that reflect her own taste as a reader. She is directly involved in the editorial and publishing process for each book issued under her imprint.

Pamela Paul is the editor of the New York Times Book Review and oversees books coverage at the New York Times. She is also the host of the weekly podcast Inside the New York Times Book Review. Her latest book is My Life With Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues. She is also the author of four other books: By the Book; Parenting, Inc.; Pornified; and The Starter Marriage and the Future of Matrimony. Prior to joining the Times, she was a contributor to Time magazine and the Economist; her work has appeared in the Atlantic, the Washington Post, Slate, and Vogue.

Mentors and mentees will meet at assigned tables for keynote breakfasts. Table assignments are noted on attendee badges.