Wi15 to Offer Full Schedule of Parties and Receptions

The 2020 Winter Institute (Wi15) in Baltimore, Maryland, will feature a wide array of parties and receptions where booksellers, publishers, and authors can socialize throughout the four-day event, including:

Ingram’s Indies on the Harbor: Tuesday, January 21, 9:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. (South Foyer, Hilton)

Ingram invites all Winter Institute attendees to relax and chat with independent booksellers and publishers from around the country and the globe in a cozy corner of the hotel overlooking the famed Camden Yards ballpark. With more than 25 presses represented at Winter Institute and over 600 independent publishers under its wing, Ingram has much to offer booksellers. Come see why buyers consider Ingram such a rich resource, chat with publishers and editors, enjoy a cup of coffee, and browse an array of books.

Wi15 Welcome Reception and Anniversary Celebration: Tuesday, January 21, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (Key 1-8, Hilton)

Co-sponsored by Shelf Awareness, ABA’s 2020 Winter Institute Welcome Reception and Anniversary Celebration is your welcome to Baltimore and an opportunity to enjoy cocktails, snacks, and the company of your colleagues from around the world.

Bookseller Mix & Mingle With Romance Authors, sponsored by HarperCollins: Tuesday, January 21, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (Promenade, Marriott)

HarperCollins in partnership with Bookstore Romance Day invite booksellers to join Avon and Harlequin at a mix and mingle reception with authors, giveaways, swag, and more. 

A Program and Toast for Oren Teicher: Tuesday, January 21, 10:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Key 1-8, Hilton)

ABA invites Wi15 attendees to join in honoring and toasting outgoing ABA CEO Oren Teicher.

Ingram Drinks & Hors d’Oeuvres Open Reception: Wednesday, January 22, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (South Foyer, Hilton)

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

After Party: Celebrate 100 Years of Reading With Scholastic!: Wednesday, January 22, 9:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. (Stadium Ballroom, Marriott)

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.

Evening Author Reception: Thursday, January 23, 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Key 1-8, Hilton)

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.

Lunchtime Author Reception: Friday, January 24, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Holiday Ballroom, Hilton)

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.

Special Screening of Hairspray: Friday, January 24, 5:10 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (Key 5-8, Hilton)

Sponsored by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, come celebrate the end of another successful Winter Institute and Baltimore legend John Waters with this very special movie screening of the 1988 classic Hairspray. Refreshments will be served.

In addition, booksellers have two opportunities to take a break from the festivities at the Hilton and Marriott:

The Quiet Room (Paca, Hilton)

The Quiet Room is intended to provide a quiet, calm space where conference attendees can spend time away from noise, light, and other stimuli. The quiet room is not available for conversations or meetings. It is open during the following hours:

• Tuesday, January 21, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 22, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Thursday, January 23, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 24, 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

NAIBA Hospitality Suite (Douglass, Hilton)

The New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association is pleased to host the Hospitality Suite at this year’s Winter Institute. Stop by for a chance to decompress, grab a beverage, and refuel before heading back out to join your peers. Open to booksellers from all regions during the following hours:

• Tuesday, January 21, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, January 22, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, January 23, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Friday, January 24, 9:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

The 2020 Winter Institute is made possible by support from lead sponsor Ingram Content Group and from publishers large and small. Questions about Winter Institute can be addressed to [email protected].