Independent Bookstore Day to be the Focus of ABA Education at Fall Regional Shows

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This fall at the regional trade shows, the American Booksellers Association will present the new education session “Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success,” focusing on how indie bookstores can take part in the growing annual celebration. 

ABA announced on Wednesday, July 17, that it would be taking over management of Independent Bookstore Day, which will mark the sixth nationwide celebration of independent bookstores on April 25, 2020.

This year’s educational session will offer an overview of the event and tips from booksellers who have successfully made the best of the national celebration of indie bookstores. A panel of booksellers will offer information on how to order and make the most of the exclusive merchandise created for IBD, how to organize and publicize their store’s party, and strategies for using social media to increase sales and community participation.

The 2019 fall regional trade show schedule is as follows:

Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance (SIBA)
Friday, September 13 – Sunday, September 15
Spartanburg Marriott, 299 N. Church St., Spartanburg, South Carolina
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Friday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m.

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association (NCIBA)
Friday, September 20 – Saturday, September 21
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport, 1333 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame, California
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Friday, September 20, at 9:45 a.m.

Southern California Independent Booksellers Association (SCIBA)
Friday, September 27 – Saturday, September 28
Sheraton Los Angeles San Gabriel, 303 E Valley Blvd., San Gabriel, California
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Friday, September 27, at 12:00 p.m.

New England Independent Booksellers Association (NEIBA)
Wednesday, October 2 – Friday, October 4
Rhode Island Convention Center Ballroom, 1 Sabin St., Providence, Rhode Island
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Friday, October 4, time TBD

Heartland Fall Forum (Midwest Independent Booksellers Association/MIBA and Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association/GLIBA)
Wednesday, October 2 – Friday, October 4
Renaissance Cleveland Hotel, 24 Public Square, Cleveland, Ohio
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Thursday, October 3, time TBD

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association (PNBA)
Sunday, October 6 – Tuesday, October 8
Red Lion on the River – Jantzen Beach, 909 N. Hayden Island Dr., Portland, Oregon
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Sunday, October 6, time TBD

Mountains and Plains Independent Booksellers Association (MPIBA)
Thursday, October 10 – Saturday, October 12
Renaissance Denver Stapleton Hotel, 3801 Quebec St., Denver, Colorado
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: Saturday, October 12, time TBD

New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association (NAIBA)
Tuesday, October 15 – Thursday, October 17
Crowne Plaza, 2349 Marlton Pike W., Cherry Hill, New Jersey
Independent Bookstore Day: Celebrate With Success: date/time TBD

Free ABA Membership Trial Offer Available at Fall Regional Trade Shows

Any non-member of the American Booksellers Association who attends a fall regional trade show this year is invited to test-drive an ABA membership for free until January 31, 2020, to take advantage of the association’s many member benefits.

Among the benefits to becoming a member of ABA are world-class education and networking events; access to the IndieCommerce e-commerce platform; unique marketing resources; and discounted business services.

To sign up, booksellers can visit the ABA booth at one of the fall regional trade shows, or join online between September 13 and November 1, 2019, using the promo code available at the ABA booth at each show. Booksellers who participate in the free trial will also have the opportunity to register for ABA’s next Winter Institute, to be held in Baltimore in January 2020.

This offer is open only to applicants for Regular Membership that have not been ABA members within the past two years. For more information, visit BookWeb.org or e-mail ABA Member Relationship Managers Elizabeth Roberts and Daniel O’Brien.

Watch for more details on the regional shows in upcoming editions of BTW.