Children’s Institute to Feature Array of Education

Registration is underway for the American Booksellers Association’s sixth ABC Children’s Institute (Ci6), which is open to booksellers at all ABA member stores. The institute will be held June 19–21 at the Sheraton New Orleans in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The lineup of educational offerings at this year’s event includes sessions on planning and executing successful large-scale events; reaching underserved communities; how to sell YA to adults; best practices for sending a newsletter customers want to read; teen and tween advisory boards as bookstore influencers; how to run successful virtual author visits; and much more.

Booksellers are encouraged to review the agenda for the institute and contact ABC Group Manager Gen de Botton if they have expertise on any of the topics offered.

New this year, booksellers attending Children’s Institute will have the opportunity to participate in a chalkboard lettering workshop, a bookstore finance seminar, or a literary walking tour on June 19. Pre-registration is required for each of these events; booksellers can sign up during the event registration process.

The Ci6 conference fee is $119 per bookseller. Space is limited, and there is a maximum of five registrants per ABA member business. The institute is made possible by the support of lead sponsor Baker & Taylor with additional support from publisher sponsors large and small.

ABC Group members registering for Children’s Institute will be automatically entered into a raffle for a chance to win a carton of signed books by a Ci6 keynote speaker. The keynote speakers slated to appear at this year’s institute are Chelsea Clinton, Angie Thomas, Temple Grandin, and Mallika Chopra. See the complete Ci6 program here.

The special ABA rate at the Sheraton New Orleans is $139 plus tax and is available until May 17, or until the block is sold out. The rate is valid for bookings from June 12 through June 28, 2018, subject to availability.

Booksellers interested in attending the institute can apply now for the chance to win a publisher-sponsored scholarship, which will cover the conference fee, the cost of airfare or ground transportation up to $400, and three hotel nights (June 19–21) plus tax. Scholarships are open to booksellers from ABA member stores that did not have a Children’s Institute scholarship winner in 2016 or 2017. The deadline to apply is March 30, 2018. (Winter Institute scholarship winners are eligible to apply.)

Register now for Children’s Institute 2018. Stores that are not current on their ABA and/or ABC memberships can renew their dues here or contact ABA’s Member Relationship Managers. Questions about the institute should be directed to ABC Group Manager Gen de Botton.

Booksellers may cancel their Children’s Institute registration at any time by e-mailing [email protected]. Cancellations received prior to April 30 are eligible for a full refund of registration fees; cancellations received on or after April 30 are not eligible for refund.