ABA Programming at BEA Connects Booksellers With Colleagues

Special ABA programming on Saturday, May 4, at the 2002 BookExpo America (BEA) in New York City will offer a wide range of networking opportunities with other booksellers, and a chance to learn the latest on ABA programs from association staff.

From 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m., there will be a series of ABA Specialty Bookseller-to-Bookseller Roundtables. These are designed for booksellers who are predominantly engaged in selling books in these specialty areas, and are not intended for general stores with specialty sections. Booksellers attending BEA are strongly encouraged to suggest agenda items for these roundtable discussions in advance of the show. (Please forward your agenda ideas and suggestions to kristen@bookweb.org.)

Admission to the roundtables is free. The roundtables scheduled are:

• TRAVEL -- Moderator: to be announced
• GAY AND LESBIAN -- Moderator: Philip Rafshoon of Outwrite Bookstore, Atlanta
• AFRICAN-AMERICAN -- Moderator: Robin Green-Cary of Sibanye, Inc. in Baltimore
• FEMINIST -- Moderators: Sandra Torkildson of A Room of One's Own in Madison, WI, and Mary Ellen Kavanaugh of My Sister's Words in Syracuse, NY
• MYSTERY -- Moderator: Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego, CA
• CHILDREN'S -- Moderators: Dennis Ronberg of Linden Tree Children's Books in Los Altos, CA; Collette Morgan of Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis, MN; and Ellen Davis of Dragonwings Bookstore in Waupaca, WI

Additional ABA Specialty Bookseller-to-Bookseller Roundtables are scheduled from 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. The roundtables are:

• SCIENCE FICTION -- Moderator: Maryelizabeth Hart of Mysterious Galaxy Books in San Diego
• MIND, BODY AND SPIRIT -- Moderators: Howard and Gayle Mandel of Transitions Bookplace in Chicago
• SCHOLARLY -- Moderator: Karl Pohrt of Shaman Drum Bookshop in Ann Arbor, MI
• COLLEGE - Moderator: Suzanne Staubach of U-CONN Co-op in Storrs, CT, and ABA Board member
• RURAL SMALL TOWN -- Moderator: Russ Lawrence of Chapter One Book Store in Hamilton, MT
• BUSINESS AND TECHNICAL -- Moderators: Jason Pollock, McGraw-Hill Bookstore, New York City
• CHILDREN'S: From Handselling to Community Outreach -- Moderators: Dennis Ronberg of Linden Tree Children's Books in Los Altos, CA; Collette Morgan of Wild Rumpus in Minneapolis, MN; and Ellen Davis of Dragonwings Bookstore in Waupaca, WI

On Saturday afternoon at BEA, the focus will shift to Book Sense. From 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m., there will be three Book Sense Bookseller-to-Bookseller Roundtables that will concentrate on ways to get the full benefit from Book Sense and BookSense.com, especially for those looking for increased sales, and for stores looking to sign-up for the first time. Admission is free, and the roundtables are open to all ABA members. (There will be two roundtables on getting started with Book Sense, and one roundtable on getting started with BookSense.com.)

From 3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., ABA has scheduled two roundtables on taking the Book Sense program to "The Next Level." There, booksellers already participating in Book Sense and/or BookSense.com can hear how other booksellers are using both the marketing campaign and online product to increase store traffic, brand awareness, and sales. Admission is free and the roundtables are open all ABA members.

In addition, beginning on May 2, the Book Sense Lounge will offer ABA members a place to meet with ABA Board members and staff, to log onto computers and plug in laptops, and to check out demos of BookSense.com. The lounge is a comfortable, convenient place to relax off the busy exhibit floor with other booksellers and to enjoy some complimentary refreshments. Phones are available for credit card calls, and access to ABFFE's Silent Auction is right there --- with a host of items accessible to bid upon. The lounge will be open all four days of the show.

On the trade floor, the ABA/Book Sense Booth (#718) will feature the latest information on money-saving ABA programs and the newest Book Sense materials. In addition, attendees can also sign up for BTW online, talk to ABA staff, meet authors, and more.