* * * Countdown to BookExpo * * * Booksellers School at BEA to Explore Fundamentals of Independent Bookselling

As part of its extensive educational programming at BookExpo America (BEA), ABA is sponsoring a three-day booksellers school, facilitated by Donna Paz and Mark Kaufman of Paz & Associates. The school program is designed to enhance the skills of anyone thinking about opening or buying a bookstore, as well as those of booksellers who are new to the business or who are new to, or aspiring to, management and leadership roles, and industry professionals who want a better understanding of book retailing.

"Fundamentals of Independent Bookselling -- Strategies for Understanding and Growing a Profitable Business," will be held from Wednesday, May 28, to Friday, May 30, and includes admission to BEA. In addition, there will be many opportunities to network with other booksellers at ABA's Opening Reception, Celebration of Bookselling, Annual Meeting, and Book Sense Lounge.

School programming begins on Wednesday, May 28, with an optional morning session from 9:00 a.m. - noon, "Welcome to Bookselling: Strategies for Opening a New Bookstore," followed by "Bookselling in Today's Business Environment," from 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

On Thursday morning, from 9:00 a.m. - noon, attendees can choose to explore one of the following topics: financial management, strategic marketing, time management, or technology; and from 1:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. merchandising and choosing inventory will be featured.

Booksellers school concludes on Friday, May 30, with the morning session "Growing a Successful Bookstore Business."

The registration fee for "Fundamentals of Independent Bookselling" is $350, and advance registration is required. To register, contact Kristen Gilligan at (914) 591-2665 or (800) 637-0037, ext. 1286; or by e-mail at kristen@bookweb.org. For a downloadable PDF registration form for Booksellers School, click here. For a complete ABA educational programming schedule, click here.