ABA Unveils Updated Winter Institute Schedule and Presenters

This week, the American Booksellers Association provides a full update of the schedule for the Sixth Annual Winter Institute, sponsored by the Ingram Content Group, to be held from January 19 - 21, 2011, in Washington, D.C.

The full schedule, including information on keynote presenters and educational session panelists and moderators for much of the programming, is now available on the Wi6 page on BookWeb.org.

The majority of the educational offerings at Wi6 are new, including the entire schedule on Wednesday, as well as Thursday and Friday sessions on topics such as creating political change; growing sales through retail partnerships; improving efficiency; using strategic thinking to create new business models; innovative ways booksellers are working with reps; creating great children's departments; a report on the result of the 2010 ABC and Bowker PubTrack survey; a practical discussion on selling e-books; and more.

In addition, there will be an opening reception on Tuesday, January 18, at Washington’s renowned Politics & Prose Bookstore.

“Incorporating a wide range of bookseller feedback – including from ABA’s Bookseller Advisory Council – we believe that this year’s schedule offers booksellers practical, actionable education that will help them begin working to improve their businesses as soon as they return to the store,” said ABA CEO Oren Teicher. “We are extremely grateful to the guest presenters and the many booksellers who are contributing their knowledge and experience to Wi6 through their leadership participation in keynotes, panels, seminars, and roundtables.”

Participating at this year’s Winter Institute are nationally recognized expert on business strategy, customer service, sales, and marketing Bob Phibbs (the author of The Retail Doctor's Guide to Growing Your Business [Wiley], who will be keynote speaker on Thursday, January 20); Karen Mills, the administrator of the Small Business Administration, and Jim Lehrer, award-winning host of PBS’ NewsHour, (who will be featured in the keynote opening for Wi6’s Legislative Day, on Wednesday, January 19); and bestselling author David Allen, who will present the new seminar “Efficiency 201: Accomplish More by Working Less” (Allen is widely recognized as the world’s leading authority on personal and organizational productivity and is the author of Getting Things Done: the Art of Stress-Free Productivity [Penguin]).

Winter Institute event registration and the host hotel, the Crystal Gateway Marriott, are both currently booked to capacity. ABA members who would like to add their names to the event and/or hotel waiting list should e-mail ABA’s Member Relationship Managers, Kaitlin Pitcher and Elizabeth Nichols. As cancellations are received, spaces will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Booksellers registered for Wi6 who are no longer planning to attend and those with hotel reservations that are no longer needed are also asked to contact ABA’s Member Relationship Managers so waiting booksellers can fill their places.

See the updated Wi6 schedule, session descriptions, and presenters now.