International Booksellers Accentuate the Positive

Last month, more than 30 booksellers from around the world gathered at Hotel ABA (the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge) in Brooklyn for the joint annual conference of the European (EBF) and International Booksellers (IBF) federations. Booksellers from 21 countries, including Finland, South Africa, France, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Russia, Belgium, Ireland, and Spain, took part in programs at Hotel ABA on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 26 and 27.

The international visitors also participated in ABA's Thursday Day of Education and BookExpo America at the Javits Convention Center, met with the ABA Board, and toured New York City bookstores. "All this has been made possible thanks to the excellent relationship IBF has with its member, ABA, and its very efficient and committed staff," said Francoise Dubruille, the organizations' director. EBF/IBF booksellers wanted to examine how the U.S. book industry is changing, said Dubruille, who reported that member booksellers called the event "an important learning opportunity."

Taking the "Let's Stay Positive" theme of the conference's opening address to heart, the international visitors listened to presentations on the most significant trends currently defining the American book market. Insights provided at the session "Opportunities in the Digital Arena for Independent Bookstores," presented by Len Vlahos, then ABA chief program officer, and Mark Nelson, digital content strategist for the National Association of College Stores, underscored "the importance for booksellers of embracing the digital challenge and turning from bricks-and-mortar to 'bricks-and-click' bookstores," said EBF/IBF in a statement.

"Impressive and inspiring was the presentation on the multiple and far-reaching actions of the IndieBound program ... which offers to ABA members a vast range of promotional material to stress the vital importance for local communities of independent and locally owned bookstores."

Dubruille told BTW that she was greatly impressed by the professionalism of the speakers at the conference, especially "by their enthusiasm, their level of preparation, and their passion for the book trade. The evaluations that we are getting back from participants are extremely positive."

And, she added, "I must say that I have rarely seen such a dedicated team as the ABA staff who were of invaluable help in the preparation of our conference. I am immensely grateful to Avin [Mark Domnitz, then ABA CEO], Oren [Teicher, then ABA COO], Len [Vlahos], Kristen [Gilligan, director of meetings and events], and all the team!

EBF/IBF members attended to business matters at their respective General Assemblies, also held at Hotel ABA, including elections and committee appointments and the adoption of a declaration in favor of a book-friendly VAT tax in Latvia.

At ABA's Day of Education, EBF/IBF said, the international booksellers "benefited from the many seminars, panel discussions, and presentations." Participants also joined American booksellers and many others from the U.S. book community at the Thursday night farewell reception for Domnitz, ABA's outgoing CEO, who had issued the invitation for the groups to meet at Hotel ABA.

The international visitors also visited the BEA trade show floor and had the opportunity to tour New York City bookstores, led by the Independent Booksellers of New York City.

PowerPoint presentations from the EBF/IBF conference are available for download on the EBF website. --Karen Schechner