Winter Institute 2020

Pre-registration required; $59 fee per person; space is limited; attendance at Winter Institute is not required. Registration is closed.

The IndieCommerce Institute is an interactive, classroom-style workshop for users of ABA’s e-commerce platforms. IndieCommerce Institute 2020 will feature two seminars: an IndieCommerce seminar for members using our IndieCommerce platform and an IndieLite seminar for members using our IndieLite platform. Each seminar will include step-by-step instructions for the topics covered. Each participant will be assigned their own test site to use and follow along with during the seminars.

See the complete IndieCommerce Seminar schedule here. Panelists: Chanthee Keokhaw, ABA (White Plains, NY), Scott Nafz, ABA (White Plains, NY)
, Geetha Nathan, ABA (White Plains, NY)
, Ryan Quinn, ABA (White Plains, NY)
, Matt Supko, Augment Digital (Huntsville, AL)

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. Also on hand to greet you will be representatives from NAIBA, Binc and Arcadia Publishing.

More than 50% of Generation Z (people between the ages of 13 and 20) identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and a recent survey by the Human Rights Campaign shows that many of them have anxiety regarding their personal safety. In this session, booksellers will have the chance to share ideas, programs, and actions they have taken to make their store an inclusive, welcoming, and safe environment for today’s LGBTQ+ youth. Panelists: BrocheAroe Fabian, River Dog Book Co.

The Publisher and Bookseller Focus Groups are intended to be an opportunity for publishers and distributors to discuss with booksellers issues of mutual concern and importance, leading to productive and practical ways to improve sales. Each publisher will have their own agenda and booksellers will be advised of a range of topics likely to be covered. This 90-minute event will be split into two 45-minute shifts with booksellers assigned to only one 45-minute shift, leaving all booksellers with 45 minutes of free time. Shift assignments will be printed on bookseller badges.

Booksellers will gather with colleagues to talk about issues raised by the breakfast keynote speaker as part of discussions 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 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.

Pre-registration required; $30 fee per person; space is limited. Registration is closed.

This bookstore tour for our international friends offers a chance to experience U.S. independent bookstores in and around the city of Baltimore. Join your international colleagues for a day of exploring and learning about the proud literary tradition in Baltimore, Maryland. The tour departs from the Hilton Hotel at 10:00 am on Tuesday, January 21, and will stop at The Ivy Bookshop, Atomic Books, Red Emma's Bookstore, The Children's Bookstore and Greedy Reads. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure; the tour will return to the hotel by 3:25 pm. Lunch will not be provided but will be available for purchase. (Bookstore tours for U.S. booksellers are scheduled for Friday, January 24.

Pre-registration required; $25 fee per person; space is limited. Up until December 13, this event is only open to registered Winter Institute booksellers. After December 13, if space allows, we will open registration to booksellers who are not attending Winter Institute. Registration is closed.

The bus will leave the Hilton Baltimore at 7:30 am. The symposium will begin in Washington D.C. at 10:00 am at The Rayburn House Office Building and will end at 12:00 pm. Coffee will be served and the cafeteria is available for lunch. The bus will depart Washington D.C. at 2:30 pm so you have time to attend any law-maker meetings you may have scheduled. Boarding begins 30 minutes prior to departure.

Over the past year, regulators and lawmakers have begun to investigate the business practices of Big Tech (Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Google) to determine if any of these companies might be in violation of antitrust laws. On Tuesday, January 21, booksellers attending the Winter Institute will have the opportunity to be part of a special symposium in Washington, D.C., on growing monopoly power in the retailing and tech sector, with a focus on the extraordinary market dominance of Amazon. Among other speakers, the panel will feature:

• Matt Stoller, author of Goliath: The 100-Year War Between Monopoly Power and Democracy (Simon & Schuster)
• Maria Coppola, adjunct professor at George Mason University Law School, teaching European competition law
• Stacy Mitchell, co-director of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance
• David Dayen, author of Monopolized: Life in the Age of Corporate Power (The New Press)

International guests are invited to join their colleagues from around the world for an informative discussion about the current state of the American book business. Lunch will be served. Panelists: John Mutter, Editor-in-Chief, Shelf Awareness (Seattle, WA), Ed Nawotka, Bookselling and International News Editor, Publishers Weekly (New York, NY)

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.

Come toast Scholastic’s 100th Anniversary with great authors, galley giveaways, champagne, dessert, and more! Featured authors include: Pam Muñoz Ryan, Deborah Wiles, Sharon Cameron, and Jenny Downham!

Wi15 lead sponsor Ingram hosts an open reception to close day one of the Institute. Join your colleagues for drinks and nibbles.

If you’d like to share questions, feedback, and ideas about your POS system with representatives of your system, plan on attending one of the POS User Groups. These group discussions are an opportunity for users to ask questions and gain insight into maximizing the use of their current POS system.

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.