ABA Announces 2006 Winter/Spring Forum Schedule

The American Booksellers Association has announced a schedule of 13 Booksellers Forums over the course of three months, beginning in mid-February. Each will bring ABA staff and representatives of its Board of Directors together with membership across the country. Held in conjunction with regional booksellers associations, the forums provide an opportunity for ABA members to get updates on the association's program and initiatives, as well as to voice their concerns and to offer input on the future direction of ABA.

In addition, this year, in response to input from members, forums will be coupled with an educational component. Programming details are still taking shape and will be announced in upcoming editions of Bookselling This Week.

"We hope that all of our members will save a date to attend one of the ABA forums in their region," said ABA COO Oren Teicher. "In past years, bookseller input from these events has been crucial in guiding the development of programs and services to meet members' needs. And we've heard back from participants that the forums are a welcome opportunity to learn more about ABA programs and services. This year, we will be offering even more through an education component."

FEBRUARY

Richmond, Virginia: Monday, February 13, at Fountain Bookstore (In conjunction with the Southeast Booksellers Association's Bookseller Revival)

Denver, Colorado: Friday, February 24, at the Denver Marriott Tech Center (In conjunction with the Mountains & Plains Booksellers Association's 3rd Annual Spring Show, preceding the Denver Merchandise Mart Gift Show)

Portland, Oregon: Saturday, February 25, at the McMenamins Kennedy School (In conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association)

MARCH

Minneapolis, Minnesota: Saturday, March 11. Location TBD (In conjunction with Midwest Booksellers Association and the UMAGA/Minneapolis Gift Mart Spring Show, March 11 - 14)

New Orleans, Louisiana: Tuesday, March 14. Location TBD (In conjunction with the Southeast Booksellers Association)

Seattle, Washington: Thursday, March 16, at the Seattle Airport Hilton Hotel & Conference Center (In conjunction with the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association Spring Show, March 16 - 18)

Atlanta, Georgia: Friday, March 17, at the Omni Hotel at the CNN Center (In conjunction with Southeast Booksellers Association and The Spring Book [Remainder] Show, March 17 - 19)

Dublin, Ohio: Wednesday, March 29, at the Hilton Garden Inn (In conjunction with the Great Lakes Booksellers Association)

APRIL

San Francisco, California: Sunday, April 2, near the offices of the Northern California Independent Booksellers Association in The Presidio (In conjunction with the NCIBA Spring Workshops)

Huntington Beach, California: Tuesday, April 4. Location TBD (In conjunction with the Southern California Booksellers Association Spring Meeting)

Iowa City, Iowa: Saturday, April 8. Location TBD (In conjunction with the Midwest Booksellers Association)

Syracuse, New York: Thursday, April 20, at the Holiday Inn Carrier Circle (In conjunction with the New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association's NAIBAhood Gathering)

Westford, Massachusetts: Wednesday, April 26, Westford Regency Inn & Conference Center (In conjunction with the New England Booksellers Association and New England Children's Booksellers Advisory Council meetings)