ABA to Offer “Nuts and Bolts of Finance” at MPIBA Show

Booksellers attending the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association’s (MPIBA) Fall Discovery Show, from October 9 to 11 at Colorado’s Renaissance Denver Hotel, will find a full schedule of author events, as well as educational programming. Among the highlights are the Children’s Author & Illustrator Breakfast and Pick of the Lists sessions on Thursday, October 9; the Authors of Buzz Books Breakfast, the Children’s Authors Tea, and the Author Banquet on Friday, October 10; and the Authors of Future Releases Breakfast and a full day of education on Saturday, October 11, including “The Nuts and Bolts of Finance,” a new session from the American Booksellers Association.

ABA will also be on the show floor during exhibit hours and booksellers are encouraged to stop by to learn about exciting fall programs and February’s 10th anniversary celebration of the Winter Institute. Members who leave a business card at the booth will earn an extra chance to win a scholarship to the Winter Institute and/or April’s ABC Children’s Institute.

ABA is also offering a show special for non-members at all of this fall’s regional events. Stores that have not been ABA members for the past two years can join at the shows and enjoy all the benefits of membership for free until February 15, 2015.

Attending the show will be ABA Chief Strategy Officer Dan Cullen, Membership and Marketing Officer Meg Smith, and Member Relationship Manager Nathan Halter.

The Nuts and Bolts of Bookstore Finance: Saturday, October 11, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Join ABA Board member Valerie Koehler of Houston’s Blue Willow Bookshop and Nicole Magistro of The Bookworm of Edwards, Colorado, as they discuss ways to increase the profitability of independent bookstores. This session will feature relevant data from ABA’s ABACUS financial survey, including such crucial benchmarks as turns and inventory, occupancy, payroll and compensation, and margin, as well as best practices for valuing your business. Come with questions and leave with important data that will help move your financial planning forward.

On Friday, October 10, at the show, ABA Membership and Marketing Officer Meg Smith will be hosting an informal conversation with new ABA members. The ABA New Member Conversation will begin at 12:15 p.m. over lunch at the Renaissance’s Vivace! Ristorante. New ABA members who are planning to attend the lunch event are asked to RSVP to Nathan Halter by September 15. (This event is subject to change or cancellation.)

For complete details about the show and to register, visit the MPIBA website.