Winter Institute 2020

Pre-registration required; space is limited. Registration is closed. In 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) included burnout in the eleventh revision of the International Classification of Diseases. It is now classified as an occupational phenomenon and characterized as “...feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; increased mental distance from one’s job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one’s job; and reduced professional efficacy.” Burnout is real; it often impacts individuals from minority groups at higher rates, and if not addressed it can lead to more severe health consequences. While there is no one solution for this syndrome, there are changes that can be put in place, whether you are a store owner, a manager, or a frontline bookseller. A professional in this field will lead a session to help all attendees identify workplace stressors in their environments and consider possible solutions. Panelists: Jeannie A. Nigam, MS, PhDc, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Jason Wells, Books Marketing Director, American Psychological Association

Bookstore cafés can bring in new customers, increase overall sales, and boost profitability. But there can be many stumbling blocks between that first cup of coffee and a fully integrated and profitable enterprise. This session will focus on financial operations for stores that run their own cafés and serve limited menus. If you are looking for more information on bookstore café finances, this is the session for you. Panelists: Donna Paz Kaufman, Paz & Associates (Amelia Island, FL), Henry Pertman, Vice President, Total Image Creative (Baltimore, MD), Carrie Morris, Booka Bookshop (Oswestry, Shropshire, U.K), Nicole Magistro, The Bookworm of Edwards (Edwards, CO)

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.