ABA, Indie Booksellers to Participate in AMIBA International Conference

Meg Smith, the American Booksellers Association's membership and marketing officer, and indie booksellers Steve Bercu and Betsy Burton are on the program of the American Independent Business Alliance's International Conference  this weekend in Tampa, Florida.

Smith will be part of the Saturday, April 10, morning panel "Perfect Pitch," which will focus on maximizing the impact of localization movement messaging and storytelling to the public, potential members, government, other organizations and the media. She'll introduce participants to the IndieBound movement and its many resource materials.

Bercu, co-owner of Austin, Texas' BookPeople, an ABA board member, and founder and president of the Austin Independent Business Alliance, is part of the Friday, April 9, plenary session, "Obviously Effective," which will examine the best use of ads, posters, decals/stickers, directories, and strategies to make the greatest impact on the public and for member retention.

On Saturday morning, Burton, co-owner of Salt Lake City's The King's English Bookshop, an ABA board member, and founder and president of Local First Utah, will discuss how IBAs have tapped into foundation grants and government funds to start, step up their capacity, and move projects forward, during "Diversify Your Funding: Getting Grants and Government Support." Attendees will learn about the best funding sources, how to approach applications and proposals, frame requests, and more.

Burton and Bercu will also participate in Sunday morning's "Office Hours," along with other leaders of successful IBAs. Conference attendees will be able to ask them how they grew their organizations and overcame problems to become thriving, influential alliances.

The event's host IBA is the Tampa Independent Business Alliance (TIBA), co-founded by Carla Jimenez, who is co-owner of Tampa's Inkwood Books, a TIBA board member, and a former ABA board member.

Complete program details are available on the AMIBA website.