ABA Gears Up for Regional Shows, Offers Free Trial Membership

By Elizabeth Knapp on Thursday, Aug 11, 2011

This fall, American Booksellers Association staff will be at the 2011 regional trade shows to offer educational programming on a range of topics, including the children’s book market, consumer behavior, how to perform a business self-audit, and how to take advantage of services provided by the Small Business Administration (SBA). ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit.

Descriptions and tentative session times at each show are below; watch for updates, including ABA Board and staff members attending, in upcoming editions of BTW.

ABA staff members will be available to meet with booksellers at the ABA booth on the trade show floors, where the association is offering a “Show Special” to non-member booksellers: a free trial membership until January 31, 2012.

The offer is open to any regular bookstore that hasn’t been an ABA member in the past two years. The trial includes all the benefits of membership: an invitation to Winter Institute 7 in New Orleans, access to IndieCommerce and Google eBooks™, IndieBound DIY files and in-store POS, the Book Buyer’s Handbook, and all of the additional members-only resources of ABA.

Bookstores can sign up at the ABA booth on the show floor by completing an online application and using the code “REG2011.”

Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association: October 14 - 16, Dearborn, Michigan

  • Introducing the ABC Group at ABA: Friday, October 14, 10:45 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
    The children’s book market is one of the most vibrant and growing categories in bookselling. Come hear some relevant data based on the recent Bowker/PubTrack survey that supports this, and learn how you can use your member benefits to better market your store to increase sales.
  • Bookstore Self Audit: A Critical Look at Your Own Operations: Friday, October 14, 1:45 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
    ABA staff and a panel of booksellers will walk participants through a store “self audit.” Learn how to evaluate your store from the perspective of your customers — focusing on ambiance, convenience, financial health, inventory and selection, and marketing and service — and hear how to use the audit to identify where to focus your resources to make your business more customer-friendly.
  • SBA Session: Friday, October 14, 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

Midwest Booksellers Association: September 22 - 23, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • SBA Session: Thursday, September 22, 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.
  • Introducing the ABC Group at ABA: Thursday, September 22, 2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m.
    The children’s book market is one of the most vibrant and growing categories in bookselling. Come hear some relevant data based on the recent Bowker/PubTrack survey that supports this, and learn how you can use your member benefits to better market your store to increase sales.

Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association: September 30 - October 2, Denver, Colorado

  • Bookstore Self Audit: A Critical Look at Your Own Operations: Friday, September 30, 9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
    ABA staff and a panel of booksellers will walk participants through a store “self audit.” Learn how to evaluate your store from the perspective of your customers — focusing on ambiance, convenience, financial health, inventory and selection, and marketing and service — and hear how to use the audit to identify where to focus your resources to make your business more customer-friendly.
  • SBA Session: Date and Time TBD
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

New Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association: September 19 - 21, Atlantic City, New Jersey

  • SBA Session: Date and Time TBD
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

New England Independent Booksellers Association: October 12 - 14, Providence, Rhode Island

  • Bookstore Self Audit: A Critical Look at Your Own Operations: Date and Time TBD
    ABA staff and a panel of booksellers will walk participants through a store “self audit.” Learn how to evaluate your store from the perspective of your customers — focusing on ambiance, convenience, financial health, inventory and selection, and marketing and service — and hear how to use the audit to identify where to focus your resources to make your business more customer-friendly.
  • SBA Session: Date and Time TBD
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

Northern California Independent Booksellers Association: October 27 - 29, Oakland, California

  • Introducing the ABC Group at ABA: Date and Time TBD
    The children’s book market is one of the most vibrant and growing categories in bookselling. Come hear some relevant data based on the recent Bowker/PubTrack survey that supports this, and learn how you can use your member benefits to better market your store to increase sales.
  • SBA Session: Date and Time TBD
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association: October 13 - 15, Portland, Oregon

  • Introducing the ABC Group at ABA: Thursday, October 13, 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
    The children’s book market is one of the most vibrant and growing categories in bookselling. Come hear some relevant data based on the recent Bowker/PubTrack survey that supports this, and learn how you can use your member benefits to better market your store to increase sales.
  • SBA Session: Thursday, October 13, 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

Southern California Independent Booksellers Association: October 22, Long Beach, California

  • Introducing the ABC Group at ABA: 9:15 a.m. - 10:15 a.m.
    The children’s book market is one of the most vibrant and growing categories in bookselling. Come hear some relevant data based on the recent Bowker/PubTrack survey that supports this, and learn how you can use your member benefits to better market your store to increase sales.
  • Consumer Behavior Revealed: 10:30 a.m. - 11:45 a.m.
    Getting close to your customer is a lot like dating them: the better you know one another, the more successful your relationship will be. Studies show that the same consumer behaves differently at different times. Sometimes customers are price conscious, sometimes brand conscious, sometimes seeking a unique experience. This informative, entertaining session will show you how to better identify and understand who your customers really are.
  • SBA Session: 3:15 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.

Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance: September 17 - 19, Charleston, South Carolina

  • Sales Tax Fairness Summit: Saturday, September 18, 8:30 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
    Significant progress has been made nationwide in the fight for sales tax fairness, but the important work in leveling the playing field and equitably enforcing sales tax law is ongoing. Come hear an update from ABA, the Retail Industry Leaders Association, and Main Street retailers that will help you understand more fully this critical issue — especially from a local perspective — and discuss ways in which you can help achieve sales tax fairness.
  • Bookstore Self Audit: A Critical Look at Your Own Operations: Saturday, September 18, 9:45 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
    ABA staff and a panel of booksellers will walk participants through a store “self audit.” Learn how to evaluate your store from the perspective of your customers — focusing on ambiance, convenience, financial health, inventory and selection, and marketing and service — and hear how to use the audit to identify where to focus your resources to make your business more customer-friendly.
  • Introducing the ABC Group at ABA: Saturday, September 18, 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
    The children’s book market is one of the most vibrant and growing categories in bookselling. Come hear some relevant data based on the recent Bowker/PubTrack survey that supports this, and learn how you can use your member benefits to better market your store to increase sales.
  • SBA Session: Date and Time TBD
    The resources of the U.S. government’s Small Business Administration (SBA) offer a wide range of assistance to new and established booksellers, including loans, loan guarantees, business counseling, and other forms of support. ABA and SBA have established a strategic alliance in order to streamline the delivery of SBA services, improve communications, and help ensure that booksellers seeking working capital have the best chance possible of securing loans and lines of credit. Come to this session, introduced by ABA, and hear directly from SBA representatives about the programs and opportunities for booksellers. There will also be an opportunity to meet one-on-one with SBA staff.
     
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